Can people with diabetes fast?

Can I fast despite diabetes?

If you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before fasting. The only reliable person who can tell you whether you are allowed to fast is the doctor. Many studies have shown that fasting is not only safe for diabetics but can also be beneficial. However, since not all people with diabetes are exactly the same in terms of health, for example, a person may have heart problems or diabetes in addition to diabetes, and the severity of diabetes varies from person to person, the best way to consult a doctor is to recommend It becomes.

If you are using insulin to treat diabetes or the effects of diabetes have damaged your eyes, kidneys or other organs, doctors will usually forbid you from fasting.

The effect of fasting on diabetes

Research on the effects of fasting on people with diabetes is incomplete and cannot be said with certainty. But in general, fasting for diabetics may have the following benefits:

Reduce insulin use

Some studies have shown that fasting may reduce the amount of insulin needed by diabetics. This is especially true for people with type 1 diabetes. Fasting helps to better control blood glucose levels and reduce insulin resistance.

Help to lose weight

When you eat food, the human body stores excess glucose or sugar as glycogen in the liver. If you do not eat enough, your body uses stored fat instead of glycogen to produce energy. In this case, fat burning takes place and weight loss is possible.

Cholesterol lowering

Many people with diabetes may also have problems with high levels of bad cholesterol in their blood. If fasting is done properly and healthy foods and diets are consumed at breakfast and iftar, cholesterol levels in the body will be more balanced at the end of Ramadan. This is true for both diabetics and non-diabetics.

Dangers of fasting for diabetics

Fasting can be very dangerous for people with diabetes and taking certain medications such as insulin. Because in this case there is a risk of excessive hypoglycemia. Fasting will lower your blood sugar. If insulin is also taken, the risk of severe hypoglycemia will increase.

On the other hand, hyperglycemia can also occur. This complication usually occurs when a diabetic person breaks his fast and his blood sugar rises above the standard level. If your doctor has told you about this risk, it is best not to fast.

Type 1 diabetes and fasting

The effect of fasting on type 1 diabetes may be manifested by complications such as ketoacidosis, which is very dangerous. Ketoacidosis occurs when blood sugar is too high and the level of an acidic substance called ketone in the body exceeds the allowable level. This problem is rare in type 2 diabetes but is very common in people with type 1 diabetes. Frequent urination, excessive thirst, nausea, abdominal pain, rapid breathing and dry mouth are symptoms of ketoacidosis in diabetics. Hypoglycemia is another problem that can occur with fasting for people with type 1 diabetes. In this case, blood sugar drops sharply and there is a risk of going into a coma.

Fasting and type 2 diabetes

The problems of fasting for people with type 2 diabetes are less than type 1 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes should consult their doctor about whether or not they can fast. Research has shown that people with type 2 diabetes can easily fast during Ramadan if they have a proper diet, exercise and control their blood sugar regularly. In this case, even at the end of the month, blood sugar may be at a better level. However, whether or not you get type 2 diabetes despite having it, you still need to prioritize your doctor’s decision.

Fasting for people with coronary heart disease

Experts recommend that people with diabetes who have recently developed coronary heart disease are only allowed to fast if their fasting blood sugar is below 140 and at least 6 weeks have passed since they recovered from the coronary artery. This means that all symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness and… must be eliminated. Also, people over the age of 65 who have diabetes and have recently had coronary heart disease should not fast.

Recommendations for fasting in people with diabetes

If you have diabetes and plan to fast, consider the following:

• Consult your doctor before fasting.
• Measure your blood sugar level regularly at home.
• Have a varied and balanced diet.
• Eat slow-digesting foods that have a lower glycemic index.
• Do not eat too much sweet and fatty foods.
• Drink enough sugar-free and caffeinated beverages during iftar so that your body does not become dehydrated.
• Never forget to eat breakfast.
• Always have your blood sugar monitor with you.

Concluding remarks

The effects of fasting on diabetes have been studied in some studies and it has been found that fasting can have many benefits for controlling blood sugar levels. But there are also risks, such as a sudden drop or rise in blood sugar due to fasting, especially in people with type 1 diabetes. So if you have diabetes, consult a doctor before fasting. Your doctor will assess all aspects of your health and decide whether fasting is recommended for you based on your medical history.