topic Re: Fasting in Wellness

Fasting

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 12:41:09 GMT

Can diabetics fast? Do you think it is a good idea?

Re: Fasting

catter70 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:01:37 GMT

I would think not, but your doctor would be the best person to ask.

Re: Fasting

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:04:27 GMT

I am a big fan of intermittent fasting, but this is something to discusss with your doctor - not strangers on a message board who don't know your health status or history.

Re: Fasting

Sweet Kitties — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:21:04 GMT

I don't know about type 2 diabetics, but my son is type 1 & he was told to never ever fast! It can throw your body way out of wack and go into into ketosis. Then you'll be calling 911. That's why it's so dangerous when diabetics get the stomach flu & keep vomiting everything up. I wouldn't try it! I think it's way too harsh for any diabetic. You need to keep your system on as even a keel as possible.

Re: Fasting

4kitties — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:23:52 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1

Please discuss this with your doctor that knows your health and history. Please do not take medical advice from a shopping forum.

Re: Fasting

millieshops — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:26:21 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch @catter70 Definitly agree the doctor who prescribes for the diabetic should be who answers this question. @Group 5 minus 1 And be sure to know why and how the patient is thinking of fasting. I know non-diabetics who fast sometimes from breakfast until dinner time, some who fast from breakfast to the next breakfast, and some who fast from evening until morning. I rarely eat between 7 pm and 7 am, but I don't name those hours as fasting. I just know I sleep better if my belly isn't still full.

Re: Fasting

CalminHeart — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:33:34 GMT

My dad is diabetic and occasionally goes too long without eating and it's always bad news.... he gets shaky, lightheaded, may fall, and even gets a little mentally out of sorts. He's 91 and can't afford those symptoms so has begun eating (healthy) every few hours.

DO WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAYS.

Re: Fasting

IMW — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 13:45:01 GMT

Could developer hypoglycemia----too low sugar. You need medical clearance for this.

Re: Fasting

Group 5 minus 1 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 14:00:52 GMT

Thank you all for your kind and intelligent replies.

Re: Fasting

cjm61 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 14:32:42 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 I'm not sure what some posters mean when they say no way, no fasting. I do agree with people saying check with your doctor and what you are fasting for. My husband is a Type 1 diabetic and fasts every 3 months or so for blood work. Now, occasionally his blood sugar goes too low, rarely, and he will have to eat something then he reschedules his blood work. According to his physician there is no harm in him fasting for blood work.

Again, check with your doctor. I can't imagine fasting for 24 hours or so would be good though for diabetics.

Re: Fasting

CelticCrafter — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:22:28 GMT

@cjm61 wrote:
@Group 5 minus 1 I'm not sure what some posters mean when they say no way, no fasting. I do agree with people saying check with your doctor and what you are fasting for. My husband is a Type 1 diabetic and fasts every 3 months or so for blood work. Now, occasionally his blood sugar goes too low, rarely, and he will have to eat something then he reschedules his blood work. According to his physician there is no harm in him fasting for blood work.

Again, check with your doctor. I can't imagine fasting for 24 hours or so would be good though for diabetics.

That's different and technically everyone fasts overnight. I'm sure your husband isn't going at 11 or 12 o'clock for his bloodwork but is getting it done first thing in the morning.

Re: Fasting

Effie54 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 15:46:16 GMT

Wow, I wouldn't do that. I'm not diabetic, but a blood sugar drop can't be good.

Re: Fasting

SeaMaiden — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 15:56:32 GMT

I have been doing interminant fasting for going on two years... and it has become so much a part of my life, I do not feel good eating more or more often... the fasting seems to give me energy... help me to maintain a good BMI, and not have to worry about my weight going up and down. I lost 20 pounds and all my clothes fit again the way I like them to.

I do not have diabetes and suppose that having this kind of medical issue might not let someone fast the same as someone without diabetes.

Re: Fasting

Sweet Kitties — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:33:03 GMT

cjm61, A shorter fast for blood work is ok if his doctor says so. I would definately stay near him the whole time though. I'm pretty sure my 83 year old diabetic father died from fasting. By the time he was found it was too late. He had been trying to lose weight. After he passed away, I found his food diary. He entered in it that he only had a cup of coffee with 1 tsp creamer that morning. He collapsed sometime in the afternoon after skipping lunch. I feel so bad that I wasn't there for him. So, I'm not be critical. I'm just showing concern.

Re: Fasting

Love my grandkids — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 17:02:23 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 Talk to your doctor.

As a type 2 I only fast when I need to do a doctor ordered fasting blood draw. That's the ONLY time.

Re: Fasting

mimomof4 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:05:56 GMT

I am diabetic and my doctor recommends fasting. As long as my sugar levels are normal he wants me to go 16 hours between dinner and breakfast.

Re: Fasting

BirkiLady — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 17:56:19 GMT

CBS had a segment about intermittent fasting yesterday. A large study had been conducted which has proved that "fasting does NOT keep weight off for a six year timeframe." Those who participated in the study experienced a rebound in the weight and potential health problems that may not have occured had they been eating a normal, healthy diet during those years.

The result was that this "fasting" is simply another weight loss gimmick that our bodies cannot adapt to for long periods of time. Nothing works better than a balanced diet (including lots of fruits & veggies) and exercise for weight loss.

ETA: QVC was absolutely correct when they insisted Kirsten stop talking about intermittent fasting earlier this month! They were looking out for their customer's best health . . . not a "get quick way to loose weight" through unsafe means.
Be very careful when you hear about ideas from a Shopping Channel host who may be selling supplements, too! That individual probably has an plan which benefits #1 . . . not you. (Remember, salespeople will say anything to sell, sell, sell.) Check with your PCP!

Re: Fasting

kate2357 — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 21:37:53 GMT

As many have posted, I would ask my primary about any fasting. And be specific about what sort of fasting you're talking about, for what length of time and for what purpose. What is your goal w/ fasting?

My version of fasting is having an 8 hour eating window. For me it's not about losing weight. I eat healthy foods and I exercise almost every day. By having an 8 hour window, I don't snack at night & I don't drink alcohol after dinner. Intermittent Fasting for me, is just an easy way of keeping my calorie count at a level where I don't gain weight.

Re: Fasting

RedTop — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 23:14:40 GMT

Our local VA facility has greatly relaxed their fasting requirement for bloodwork.

Reason being, far too many incidents of veterans not checking their blood sugar levels before leaving home and driving to the clinic for their blood draw with dangerously low readings. Quite a few older veterans wrecked on the way to the clinic, passed out in the parking lot or inside the building, before or after the blood draw! Obviously these veterans took the no food or drink instructions too seriously, so the fasting requirement is now a verbal statement for specific circumstances, and no longer required for all diabetic patients.

My husband had a lab draw earlier this week and his blood sugar reading was under 70 that morning. He drank a cup of tea, and did not leave home until his reading was over 100. The lab tech made note of that, but it did not have an adverse effect on his tests.

Re: Fasting

Toppers3 — Fri, 20 Jan 2023 00:48:48 GMT

@Group 5 minus 1 wrote:
Can diabetics fast? Do you think it is a good idea?

I agree with those who say to check with a doctor.

For routine blood work, it's possible to be able to do the required fasting for 12 hours and then to go as soon as the lab opens if you're going as an outpatient to have the blood work done.

It also depends on how well controlled the diabetic's blood sugar is, too.

If it tends to go too low at times, I would think that any kind of fasting can possibly cause a problem.

So, it's best to check with a doctor.