Can Intermittent Fasting Cure Diabetes?

More and more scientific studies show that intermittent fasting has numerous benefits for our health, but a recent study on diabetes is particularly impressive. Researchers from the University of Southern California investigated whether intermittent fasting can actually cure diabetes in mice. They used mice that lack the fat hormone leptin, which regulates food intake. These mice constantly 'overeat', become overweight, and later develop diabetes.

After just a few months of intermittent fasting, specifically seven days of uncontrolled eating alternating with 4 days of fasting, the diabetes in the mice was cured – an outstanding study result. The reason for the cure is equally incredible: During the fasting periods, the mice naturally lost weight, which is a positive effect. However, the main effect occurred directly in the pancreas.

When we examine diabetes more closely, we see that it is a disease triggered by an elevated blood sugar level, that is, an excess of glucose in the blood. In healthy individuals, this is regulated by insulin, which prompts cells to take up glucose from the blood. In diabetes, on the one hand, the cells lose their insulin sensitivity, and on the other hand, the pancreas also stops producing insulin.

Intermittent fasting has caused the pancreas in the mice to start producing insulin again. The fasting breaks triggered the pancreas to initiate cell regeneration and repair mechanisms. The pancreas shrank during the fasting period and then grew back during the seven-day eating period. After various cycles of shrinking, regenerating, and growing, the pancreas was almost like new again.

The exciting question is whether these results can also be transferred to humans. However, much research is also being done in this area. A clinical study by the same researcher shows hopeful signals. 100 participants in the study had no dietary restrictions for 25 days in 30-day intervals, followed by 5 days of restricted food intake. After just three cycles, there were massive improvements in test subjects with high blood sugar – and without any negative side effects.

Intermittent Fasting – The Original Way of Eating

The fundamental idea of intermittent fasting is based on the fact that our ancestors were repeatedly confronted with fasting periods, as food was not as consistently available as it is today. The body is therefore genetically programmed to have recurring breaks for the digestive organs, during which it can regenerate and repair itself (known as autophagy). In the modern world, this regeneration phase is increasingly lost, as the organism is continually bombarded with food and sugary drinks.

On the other hand, diverse clinical animal studies have shown repeatedly that longer pauses in food intake often lead to positive health effects in animals. Even though not all reasons for these health improvements are clear yet, one of the most important reasons seems to be, as described above, that the cells in the digestive organs receive their desperately needed time for self-repair and regeneration.

The eating break also forces the cells to tap into alternative energy sources, such as body fat, which seems to have a positive effect, for example in the case of ketones, which are formed in the liver from recycled fat.

And since constant calorie restriction and constant calorie counting in the context of diets is much more difficult to implement for people in the modern world, intermittent fasting offers a significant additional advantage, as it is very easy to implement in everyday life. For example, it is sufficient to skip a meal several times a week (e.g., breakfast), so that nothing is eaten for at least 14 (better 16) hours. Only water, coffee, or tea without sugar are 'allowed'.

Some people find it more appealing, for instance, to not eat at all for 2 days a week (the so-called 5:2 method), which also produces the positive autophagy effect.

Intermittent Fasting – Even More Effective and Easier with an App

The BodyFast intermittent fasting app takes it a step further and creates an individual fasting program for each user based on personal circumstances, age, and weight and health goals. The greater variability in fasting challenges the body even more than always the same fasting intervals and makes it more resilient and flexible.

In regular methods, a habituation effect can set in, to which the body adapts. With the more variable fasting programs, the BodyFast app aligns itself even more with the ancient way of eating with ever-changing fasting periods. Moreover, a always identical fasting program carries the risk of falling back into old patterns and losing motivation.

The plans in the app expose the body, in combination with additional weekly tasks, such as physical activity (walking, using stairs instead of the elevator, etc.), to new stimuli so that users can look forward to new challenges and quickly achieve their health goals and desired weight loss without frustration and boredom.

We are excited to see what results further studies on intermittent fasting will bring in the future. But even now it is becoming increasingly clear that intermittent fasting has numerous positive effects not only on overweight but also on numerous other physical ailments and diseases. We look forward to your feedback and your experiences with BodyFast and intermittent fasting!

Ready to start your fasting journey? In the BodyFast app, you will find your optimal fasting plan, delicious recipes tailored to your fasting lifestyle, supportive weekly tasks, daily motivating coaching, and much more.