[Diabetes Diet] Do you know the '5:2 Diet' that is as effective as diabetes medication?

The "5:2 Diet" is an intermittent fasting method that involves eating normally five days a week without calorie restrictions and then consuming only 500-600 calories on two days. It has garnered attention as a diet practiced by actors Jennifer Aniston, Chris Pratt, and former British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. Recently, the health benefits of the 5:2 Diet have been confirmed.

 

Two-Line Summary of Today's Diabetes Letter

1. The 5:2 diet is highly effective in improving blood sugar and weight.

2. You should try it after consulting with your doctor.

The 5:2 Diet is Effective for Improving Blood Sugar and Weight

A research team at Beijing Hospital in China followed 405 obese or overweight patients with early-onset diabetes for 16 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the 5:2 diet group, metformin (0.5 g twice daily), or empagliflozin (10 mg once daily).

 

As a result, the 5:2 diet group's glycated hemoglobin decreased by an average of 1.6%, followed by the metformin group's 1.6% and the empagliflozin group's 1.5%. Eighty percent of the 5:2 diet group achieved a glycated hemoglobin level below 6.5%. During the eight-week follow-up, 76.6% of the 5:2 diet group maintained their glycated hemoglobin levels below 6.5%. The 5:2 diet group lost an average of 9.7 kg, the metformin group lost 5.5 kg, and the empagliflozin group lost 5.8 kg.

 

It is effective, but it has the disadvantage of being difficult to practice for a long period of time.

 

The 5:2 diet has excellent health benefits, but it has the disadvantage of being difficult to follow long-term.

 

Most people struggle to maintain weight by restricting calorie intake. A research team at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands analyzed 13 studies on intermittent fasting, periodic fasting, and alternate-day fasting in people with diabetes. The results showed that while intermittent fasting under the supervision of a specialist provided temporary benefits, it was not consistently effective for more than a few months. Efforts are needed to find the method that best suits each individual patient and allows for long-term adherence.

 

Professor Park Jeong-hyeon of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Busan Baek Hospital said, “It is advisable to implement the 5:2 diet for a short period of time, taking into account each patient’s medication and physical condition, and then modify the diet plan according to the patient’s condition.”

 

It should be attempted as early as possible in the diagnosis.

 

So, who is the 5:2 diet suitable for? It's recommended for those with early-stage diabetes who were diagnosed relatively recently. It's especially helpful for those who are obese or overweight and have been diagnosed within the past five years.

 

Professor Park Jeong-hyeon stated, "Previous studies have shown that various forms of intermittent fasting for as short as two to eight weeks significantly improve body weight, blood sugar, and metabolic indicators." He added, "For patients with mild, early-stage diabetes, we can even expect improvements." He added, "Especially for patients who are overweight or obese in the early stages, controlling weight along with blood sugar is a highly desirable treatment option."

 

However, it is not recommended for patients with a long-term diagnosis of diabetes. For those with a long history of diabetes, prolonged fasting increases the risk of hypoglycemia, and eating a large meal after fasting increases the risk of rapid blood sugar spikes. The 5:2 diet is not recommended for patients with a long-term diagnosis of diabetes, as increased blood sugar variability increases the risk of complications.

 

Consultation with your doctor is essential

 

Before implementing the 5:2 diet, it's essential to consult with a specialist. Any change in your usual food intake can lead to hypoglycemia. Professor Park explains, "Diabetes medications are prescribed based on the assumption that patients will consume a consistent amount of food at set times, so a sudden decrease in food intake increases the risk of hypoglycemia."

 

Among medications, insulin and sulfonylureas pose a high risk of hypoglycemia, requiring special caution. If you're considering the 5:2 diet, consult with your healthcare provider to appropriately adjust your medication dosage and carefully monitor your blood sugar levels using a continuous glucose monitor.

 

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It's a good diet to start with.

5 to 2... This is the first time I've seen a diet like this...

 

Consultation with a doctor is essential

 

It may be possible to have early-stage diabetes, but

 

People who are usually on a diet

I think it will work