{"id":29895,"date":"2025-07-01T13:04:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T13:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/29895\/"},"modified":"2025-07-01T13:04:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T13:04:17","slug":"fasting-mimicking-diet-linked-to-lower-blood-sugar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/29895\/","title":{"rendered":"Fasting-mimicking diet linked to lower blood sugar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/calendar-circled-date-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg\" alt=\"calendar page with eighth day circled in red\" class=\"css-1jytyml\"\/><a class=\"icon-hl-pinterest css-11oz8gb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-event=\"Any Page|Image Pinterest Click|Icon Clicked\" data-element-event=\"OPEN|CONTENTBLOCK|Any Page|Article Body|BUTTON|Image Widget Pinterest Click|\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fa-fasting-mimicking-diet-may-improve-blood-sugar-control-in-type-2-diabetes&amp;media=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.post.rvohealth.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2025%2F06%2Fcalendar-circled-date-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg&amp;description=Type%202%20diabetes%3A%20Fasting-mimicking%20diet%20linked%20to%20lower%20blood%20sugar\" title=\"Share on Pinterest\" data-pin-custom=\"true\" data-share-url=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/calendar-circled-date-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg\">Share on Pinterest<\/a>A 5-day fasting-mimicking diet may improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, according to a new trial. Image credit: mrs\/Getty Images.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dietary changes are a crucial component of managing type 2 diabetes and can even help achieve remission of the disease.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Fasting diets, which involve calorie restriction during specific hours or days, have been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms of type 2 diabetes.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>A previous randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a monthly cycle of a fasting-mimicking diet that limits calorie intake during five consecutive days can lower blood sugar levels and reduce reliance on medications.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Data from a recent study provides real-world evidence to support the effectiveness of a 5-day fasting-mimicking diet, beyond the controlled conditions of a clinical trial. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>About 11% of the American population had diabetes in 2021, with type 2 diabetes accounting for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/diabetes\/about\/about-type-2-diabetes.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">90% to 95%<\/a> of these cases.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nia.nih.gov\/news\/calorie-restriction-and-fasting-diets-what-do-we-know\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">Fasting diets<\/a>, which involve alternating periods of fasting and eating, are <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8071299\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">effective<\/a> in alleviating the symptoms of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/317462\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">type 2 diabetes<\/a> and can be easier to follow than reducing daily calorie intake over a long time.<\/p>\n<p>A new study, conducted using real-world evidence, shows that individuals with type 2 diabetes who follow a fasting diet involving restricted energy intake for 5 consecutive days per month exhibit improvements in blood glucose (sugar) levels, weight loss, and a reduced reliance on diabetes medications.<\/p>\n<p>This fasting program has been patented by L-Nutra, a nutrient technology company. One of the study authors, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.a4m.com\/william-hsu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">William Hsu<\/a>, MD, an endocrinologist and Chief Medical Officer at L-Nutra, told Medical News Today that:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\">\n<p>\u201cThis study demonstrates how the fasting-mimicking diet (FMD), when combined with physician oversight and registered dietitian (RD) coaching, can be safely and effectively implemented in real-world clinical settings to manage type 2 diabetes.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/317074\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">treatment for type 2 diabetes<\/a> typically involves a combination of lifestyle modifications and medications. Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes and increased physical activity, help lower blood glucose levels and facilitate weight loss.<\/p>\n<p>While medications such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/metformin-oral-tablet\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">metformin<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/glp-1-receptor-agonists-type-2-diabetes\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GLP-1 agonists<\/a> facilitate the management of diabetes symptoms, only lifestyle changes, such as dietary modifications, can lead to disease remission.<\/p>\n<p>Studies have <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30852132\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">shown<\/a> that restricting daily calorie intake is effective in managing blood sugar levels and reducing weight in individuals with type 2 diabetes. However, adhering to such a diet over the long term is challenging.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the body adapts to long-term calorie restriction, resulting in a slower metabolism, which makes sustained weight loss more challenging.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, various forms of fasting diets, involving alternating periods of fasting and unrestricted food intake, have been suggested to be easier to adhere to while alleviating diabetes symptoms.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fasting triggers a stress response in cells and the body, promoting healthy aging by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage, while enhancing metabolism.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Fasting diets may involve either restricting calorie intake during certain hours of the day, known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/intermittent-fasting-is-it-all-its-cracked-up-to-be\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">intermittent fasting<\/a>, or during specific days of the week or month, referred to as periodic fasting.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11153305\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">fasting-mimicking diet<\/a> is a form of periodic fasting that involves restricted calorie intake for 4 to 7 consecutive days per month.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers have developed the fasting mimicking diet to simulate the beneficial health effects of water-only fasting, which involves only water intake during a 24 to 72-hour period. In contrast to water-only fasting, a fasting-mimicking diet allows for limited calorie intake during the fasting period, making adherence less challenging. <\/p>\n<p>The authors of the current study have developed a patented low-calorie, plant-based diet that is low in sugar and protein, but rich in healthy unsaturated fats and fiber.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A previous study demonstrated that a 5-day fasting-mimicking diet also <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC6816332\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">leads<\/a> to a decrease in blood sugar and insulin levels, while increasing the levels of ketone bodies. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Moreover, a recent randomized controlled trial <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11153305\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">demonstrated<\/a> that a 5-day fasting mimicking diet combined with medications was more effective than medications alone in improving blood glucose control and reducing medication reliance. <\/p>\n<p>These results were observed under highly controlled conditions in a clinical trial, including strict criteria for patient inclusion and exclusion. This makes it essential to evaluate the real-world efficacy of this intervention.<\/p>\n<p>In the present study, researchers evaluated the real-world benefits of integrating a fasting-mimicking diet into routine care for individuals with type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n<p>The present study included data from patients enrolled in a diabetes management program that involved following a monthly 5-day fasting-mimicking diet under the supervision of physicians and registered dietitians.<\/p>\n<p>Patients were enrolled in the study on a rolling basis, and data were collected from those who had completed at least 3 or 6 months of the program.<\/p>\n<p><strong>At the end of 3 and 6 months, the fasting-mimicking diet was effective in facilitating weight loss and reducing glycated hemoglobin levels, a marker of blood glucose levels. The fasting-mimicking diet also helped a greater percentage of participants achieve blood glucose control at these time points than at the time of enrolment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The fasting-mimicking diet also reduced reliance on medications for blood glucose control, while still resulting in high levels of engagement in the program.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow css-34gtoi\">\n<p> \u201cMost participants are able to integrate the fasting-mimicking diet into their daily lives without significant disruption. Because it\u2019s a 5-day monthly intervention rather than a daily regimen, many find it feasible to complete even with work and family obligations, especially with RD support to tailor practical strategies for adherence and personalization.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>While the fasting-mimicking diet can be safely undertaken by most individuals with type 2 diabetes, patients should consult a physician before starting such a diet.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/entirelynourished.com\/about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\">Michelle Routhenstein<\/a>, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, a preventive cardiology dietitian and heart health expert at Entirely Nourished, not involved in this study, expressed some caution about the findings.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile the positive effects of the FMD program on weight and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/265443\" class=\"content-link css-90fpmc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HbA1c<\/a> [a marker of blood sugar] are promising, it is important to note that the intervention was associated with common signs of energy deficit \u2014 including fatigue, headache, dizziness, and nausea \u2014 in a substantial number of participants during the 5-day fasting period,\u201c Routhenstein told MNT.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough these symptoms resolved between cycles, they may pose risks for certain individuals, especially those with coexisting health conditions or frailty,\u201c she pointed out.<\/p>\n<p>Hsu also cautioned that: \u201cWhile the program accommodates most individuals with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, certain conditions are exclusionary, such as recent cardiovascular events, end-stage diabetes complications, frailty, a BMI under 18, or allergies to FMD ingredients. The program is designed to prioritize safety while expanding access to innovative nutrition-based care for metabolic health.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Routhenstein advised that \u201cthe inclusion of lifestyle advice with the option to consult a dietitian may have influenced some of the study findings.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Share on PinterestA 5-day fasting-mimicking diet may improve blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes, according to a&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":29896,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[5740,25561,210,1182,24040,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-29895","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-blood-sugar","9":"tag-fasting-mimicking-diet","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-nutrition","12":"tag-type-2-diabetes","13":"tag-united-states","14":"tag-unitedstates","15":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/114778122672757575","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29895"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29895\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}