Original Articles
The Long-Term Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Blood Sugar Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Prospective Study | |
Dr. Rahul Garg, Dr. Mohd Javed | |
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on blood sugar control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) over a 12-month period. The primary objective was to assess changes in HbA1c levels, while secondary outcomes included fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index (BMI), and lipid profiles. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 T2DM patients aged 35–65 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to either an IF group (n=50) following a 16:8 fasting regimen or a control group (n=50) adhering to a standard diabetes-friendly diet. Both groups received routine diabetes care, including medication adjustments and lifestyle counseling. Baseline measurements of HbA1c, FBG, BMI, and lipid profiles were recorded and reassessed every three months over 12 months. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: At baseline, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of age, gender, BMI, HbA1c, FBG, or lipid profiles. After 12 months, the IF group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in HbA1c (7.8% to 6.5%) compared to the control group (7.7% to 7.2%, p=0.009). Similarly, FBG levels decreased significantly in the IF group (156 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL) versus the control group (158 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL, p=0.008). BMI reductions were also more pronounced in the IF group (29.5 kg/m² to 26.8 kg/m²) compared to the control group (29.3 kg/m² to 28.5 kg/m², p=0.01). Lipid profile improvements were observed in the IF group, with lower total cholesterol (190 mg/dL to 175 mg/dL, p=0.04), LDL cholesterol (120 mg/dL to 105 mg/dL, p=0.03), triglycerides (160 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL, p=0.02), and higher HDL cholesterol (45 mg/dL to 50 mg/dL, p=0.05) compared to the control group. Conclusion: Intermittent fasting demonstrated significant benefits in improving glycemic control, reducing body weight, and enhancing lipid profiles in T2DM patients over 12 months. These findings suggest that IF may be an effective and sustainable dietary intervention for diabetes management. However, long-term adherence, safety, and individualized implementation strategies warrant further investigation. |
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