Myth buster! Intermittent Fasting Increases Diabetes Risk

In a path-breaking research, it was revealed that intermittent fasting impairs the function of insulin, the sugar controlling hormone and increases diabetes risk. Even though intermittent fasting has short-term benefits associated with weight loss, however, in the longterm, the method seems to do more harm than good. The current research is a myth buster and suggests that one must be careful enough before opting for weight loss programs. Diabetes is a major metabolic disorder and people suffering from diabetes often have wounds on foot and lower leg. In severe cases, they lead to amputations of lower leg and foot. Traditional methods of wound healing do not offer the solution and scientists from Yale University have made a path-breaking discovery that raises hopes for treating diabetic wounds. If the insulin levels in the body are low, or if the person has increased resistance to insulin then it leads to Type-2 diabetes. It has been a growing epidemic and people with Type-2 diabetes suffer from Obesity

and doctors advise them to resort to weight loss programs.

As a part of the weight loss programs, the patients are resorting to intermittent fasting and is fast becoming the trend. Even though there has been visible weight loss in the patients in the short-term, but in the long-term, it poses severe health effects. Recently, researchers from the University of California reported that fast-mimicking diet reverses Diabetes and restores insulin production. In another research, a blood pressure drug, Methyldopa has been found to prevent Type-1 diabetes in 60% of patients. Earlier research has unveiled that short-term fasting can lead to the formation of free radicals, highly reactive molecules and can lead to impaired organ function, cell damage, cancer risk, and accelerated aging. But there was no research on the impact of intermittent fasting on the formation of free radicals.

Also Read: Measuring blood sugar levels in diabetics will no longer be painful

Research Highlights the Negative Implications of Intermittent Fasting

Anna Bonassa and colleagues from the University of  Sau Paulo in Brazil observed the impacts of intermittent fasting on the formation of free radicals, weight loss and insulin function on adult rats for a three month period. In the study period, although there has been a visible decrease in weight and food intake in rats, there is also increased accumulation of fat in the abdomen. Further, beta cells of the pancreas that release insulin are found to be damaged in the increased presence of free radicals and also there are markers of insulin resistance. The current research serves as an eye-opener and clearly indicates the negative implications of intermittent fasting in the long-term. Even though the intermittent fasting meets its weight loss requirements in the short term, but in the long-term, it impairs the function of the pancreas and could lead to Type-2 diabetes and other health complications. The researchers are now planning to investigate the potential impacts of this diet on the pancreas and insulin function.

Source