The Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Type 2 Diabetes
Anna Mackenthun
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes occurs when a body does not use insulin properly: either the body begins to
resist insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is
unknown, but genetic and environmental factors appear to be key contributors to its development.
Because the prevalence of this condition is increasing, it is important to find new ways to manage it.
One such way is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting is a cycle that requires a specific eating time
followed by a voluntary fasting time. This repeating cycle is known to provide many benefits including
weight loss, increased energy, mental focus, cardiovascular health, and reversal of diabetes. There have
been few studies on the effects of intermittent fasting on type 2 diabetes. Many of these studies were
completed on rodents, while a few focused on human subjects suffering from type 2 diabetes. All studies
described in this review have found benefits of intermittent fasting relating to type 2 diabetes, but the
mechanisms the researchers found vary. The aim of this review is to present the research established
on intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes while acknowledging the differences in results and the need
for further study. The sections of this review will explore the effects of intermittent fasting on insulin,
the mechanisms that improve insulin sensitivity, as well as the feasibility of intermittent fasting as a
treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes.
