THE EFFECT OF INTERMITTENT FASTING ON DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels, which occurs as a result of insufficient or insufficient effect of the hormone insulin secreted by the pancreas. In this disease, symptoms such as dry mouth, excessive drinking of water and consequent frequent urination, numbness in the feet, foot cramps, weakness and fatigue may be observed. Increased frequency of urination at night is also one of the symptoms of diabetes. According to scientific data, intermittent fasting has gained popularity recently which can improve brain health, help weight control, protect against diseases and prolong life. The most commonly used models of intermittent fasting, which is also known as a diet, are the 16:8 and 5:2 methods. In the absence of caloric intake for a certain period of time, there is a healthy decrease in blood sugar, insulin levels drop, insulin resistance decreases, and metabolism switches to fat-burning mode when fasting for more than 14 hours. In addition, when fasting for more than 16 hours, the process of autophagy begins in cells. A reported meta-analysis suggests that intermittent fasting may be an appropriate dietary strategy in patients with Type 2 DM (T2DM). However, the risk of hypoglycemia during fasting may still be a significant barrier in people on insulin therapy. Further studies are needed to assess whether intermittent fasting is safe in patients with diabetes. In this review work, we will discuss in detail the effects of intermittent fasting in diabetic patients, the role of this type of diet on DM disease and the mechanisms by which it works in the body. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Intermittent fasting, If diet, T2DM