Therapeutic Fasting in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and Impaired Insulin Resistance

Abstract

Background: In this study, we evaluated whether a short- to mid-term fasting therapy (7-18 days) might improve insulin resistance according to the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), measured during mid-term (80 days) follow-up observation in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods: In this open label observational study in inpatients, criteria of metabolic syndrome were defined. Before medically controlled Buchinger fasting, a wash-out period for hypoglycemic agents was conducted. Further evaluation was carried out on day 80. Results: 25 patients (13 males, 12 females, mean age 61.3 years) were included in this study (mean fasting duration 11.5 days). Out of 16 inpatients with type 2 diabetes, 4 had been treated with metformin, 3 with insulin, and 1 with glimepiride before the intervention. After therapy, body mass index (BMI), fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and HOMA-IR were all significantly reduced. Compared to baseline, HOMA-IR decreased by 33% in all patients, by 38% in patients with type 2 diabetes, and by 23% in patients without diabetes. At day 80, BMI further improved, while other parameters showed complete (insulin) or partial (glucose, HOMA-IR) rebound. At this time, HOMA-IR values showed an only insignificant improvement in 15% of all patients, in 20% of patients with type 2 diabetes, and in 6% of patients without diabetes. There was no correlation between change in BMI and change in HOMA-IR (r² = 0.008, baseline minus day 80). No serious side effects were observed. Conclusions: Fasting as a safe and acceptable procedure may cause short- and mid-term improvement of increased insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Patients with type 2 diabetes benefit more than those without diabetes. A possible clinical significance of this effect should be explored in larger and controlled clinical trials.

Effects of A One-week Fasting Therapy in Patients with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Syndrome – A Randomized Controlled Explorative Study

“…Further endpoints included serum glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure and quality of life and safety outcomes. The sample size was based on the pragmatics of recruitment, the necessities for examining feasibility and on the basis of the results of the previous uncontrolled studies [3,4]. We defined a minimum sample size of n = 30 participants.…”

“…In Europe, there has been a longstanding tradition of medical fasting. Two prospective but uncontrolled studies found beneficial effects of a 7-day modified subtotal fasting period (200-300 kcal/ day) on insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and regulation of adipokines [3,4]. Furthermore, a recent small randomized trial evaluating a fasting-mimicking diet with periodic restricted nutritional energy intake (up to 600 kcal/day) found beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors and blood lipids in healthy subjects after 3 months [5].…”

Vom Heilfasten zur Detox-Kur: Entwicklung neuer Konzepte zur besseren «Entschlackung»

“…Tag wird aber die verfügbare Glucose äusserst knapp in der Leber und muss dort mühsam aus Fetten metabolisiert werden, um den Blutglucosespiegel (für die Versorgung des Gehirns) aufrechtzuerhalten. Dazu passt die bekannte Hypoinsulinämie beim Fasten [5]. …”

Naturheilkunde und komplementäre Medizin bei Diabetes Typ 2

“…Wenngleich der wissenschaftliche Nachweis noch lange nicht geführt ist. Preliminäre Daten aus unkontrollierten Studien deuten auf eine nachhaltige Verbesserung der Insulinresistenz über die eigentliche Fastenzeit hinaus hin [11]. Diabetiker können ambulant unter qualifizierter ärztlicher Aufsicht, besser noch in stationären Einrichtungen, fasten.…”