World-first study shows benefits of 5:2 diet for people with diabetes

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People with type 2 diabetes are just as likely to lose weight and control their blood glucose levels if they follow a 5:2 diet than an ongoing daily calorie-restricted diet, according to a world-first study by University of South Australia researchers.

In a paper published in JAMA, lead author UniSA Ph.D. student Sharayah Carter says intermittent fasting could be a solution for people with diabetes who find it difficult to stick to a seven days a week.

Her findings are based on a year-long clinical trial of 137 people with type 2 diabetes, half of whom followed a 5:2 diet and the others an ongoing restricted diet, consuming between 1200 and 1500 calories a day.

The study is the first long-term clinical trial comparing the different diets of people with type 2 diabetes.

Fasting on two non-consecutive days, consuming between 500-600 calories, and then eating normally for five other days each week not only results in weight loss but also improved blood glucose control.

While fasting is safe for people with diet-controlled type 2 diabetes, for those using insulin and other oral medications likely to cause hypoglycaemia, need to be monitored and medication doses changed accordingly, the study authors caution.

Sharayah's co-supervisor, UniSA Professor of Nutrition Peter Clifton, says healthcare costs relating to diabetes are increasing, costing the world around US$673 billion each year and $14.6 billion per year in Australia alone.

"It is the 21st century's health epidemic and the biggest challenge confronting Australia's health system," Professor Clifton says.

"Conventional weight-loss diets with daily energy restrictions are difficult for people to adhere to so we must look for alternative solutions."

More information: Sharayah Carter et al. Effect of Intermittent Compared With Continuous Energy Restricted Diet on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, JAMA Network Open (2018). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0756

Citation: World-first study shows benefits of 5:2 diet for people with diabetes (2018, July 23) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-07-world-first-benefits-diet-people-diabetes.html
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