Is Fasting Healthy for a Diabetic?

Should you do fasting if you have diabetes? Find out.

For more info on health-related topics, go here:

DATA:

Timestamps
0:04 Healthcare and diabetes 
0:34 About diabetes
0:53 There is no agreement on the best diet for a type 2 diabetic, and why 
1;13 Medications and diabetes 
2:07 What you need to realize
2:32 Fasting for diabetes 
3:30 Why does fasting work for diabetes?

In this video, we’re going to talk about fasting and diabetes. Is fasting healthy for diabetics? If you have diabetes, this video is for you. 

In the United States alone, there are about 84 million people who are pre-diabetic and 30 million who are diabetic. There is also a large number of people who have insulin resistance and are on their way to becoming a diabetic. 

There are two main mechanisms with diabetes medications:

1. Targeting insulin resistance 
2. Increasing insulin

The medications that increase insulin also increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 59-68%. 

What you need to realize is that high insulin is just as damaging as high blood glucose. You need normal insulin, but you don’t need tremendous amounts of insulin.

If you combine therapeutic fasting, where you’re making sure you’re getting all of your nutrients, with a low-carb diet—this can produce amazing results. 

A few benefits of fasting for diabetics might be:

1. Within 4 months—no need for insulin 
2. A decrease in A1C
3. A decrease in waist size 
4. Able to control blood sugars

Why does fasting work for diabetes? 
*Because it decreases the need for insulin. 

Low-carb and fasting may be very therapeutic versus something that increases insulin. The side-effects of too much insulin are just as bad as too much glucose. 

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Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio:
Dr. Berg, 56 years of age is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of The New Body Type Guide and other books published by KB Publishing. He has taught students nutrition as an adjunct professor at Howard University. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media.

Disclaimer:
Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

[Krommer]

I'm a type 1 diabetic, and since I've been doing IF for the last year my insulin usage is less than half today what it was a year ago. You and Thomas Delauer are all people need to get healthy.

[regularfather]

Been on keto since the end of August when my bloodwork came back prediabetic. Started intermittent fasting beginning of November just because I didn't feel like I needed breakfast. I totally butcher it, not counting macros, or worrying about ratios. I just eat the foods on the keto list on a set timeline. I've gone from 243lbs to 222lbs, and I feel great!

[gordyn]

Good to see all these short videos on diabetes recently, we as a society really need to beat this disease before it's too late. I was pre-diabetic which was just fooling me into not realising I had real problems. I enjoy my fasting lifestyle even more than my low-carb diet.

[anitadeclerck]

I just love what I learn from you. Nearly 3 months on my new lifestyle with no sugar or sweetener. I was on oxygen since 2016 and stopped using it a month ago. I don't cough anymore, and can actually walk without having to stop to cough my lungs out! I fast every morning with great success, and simply feel FANTASTIC! Thank you for explaining things so easy to understand.

[Xoco]

Its crazy how much they charge for diabetes medication in the United States! I've heard that long extended fasts has helped people with their diabetes. I don't have diabetes, but I've decided to incorporate fasting into my life style.

[beairefamily]

My wife is on day 14 of her water only fast. Severe diabetic, recent leg amputated, heart failure, along with severe digestive problems … bowel problems. She literally has been in hospital off and on from 2nd of January. Rehab for leg… working with a prosthetic center. The 3rd day of her water only fast her sugar went from the high 300’s to low 400’s to a staggering 120 … it has been reading from 75 to 90 every day … hasn’t taken one diabetic medication or insulin for 14 days now She coded on operating table during her amputation due to other problems . This is her last resort (water fasting) 26 years of drugs and insulin hasn’t done squat!! Toes on both feet amputated now her left leg. Wheelchair bound and working with a prosthetic clinic to make her a new leg. 53 years old and as good as dead . She wants to do a 21 day water only . 7 left to go. I’m shocked at her numbers as well as her skin color has changed to vibrant and she is moving better and has not been the slightest bit tired like before her fast started .

[omarsalih]

Really no words for this. You are the most helpful person who affect my knowledge and my way of thinking although I already knew much about nutrition and so on before you, but you just make it way more understandable to me. Big Big thanks for you Dr.Berg.

[CarbageMan]

A healthy keto diet along with quarterly extended fasting, intermittent fasting and time-restricted eating reversed my diabetes and so many of its effects! As a side effect (when I started, I thought it was the goal, because my doctor—now fired—told me so) was losing ~100 pounds. I also reduced the inflammation in the body which improved my experience with degenerative disc disease (probably the most profound effect in the way I feel.)

I'm still mildly insulin resistant, still on keto, and still using time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting to improve my insulin resistance. I'm transitioning from milder forms of exercise like walking to more robust exercise, including lifting weights again, swimming and bicycling.

[thediabeticsockshop]

Very informative! Keep up the great work, and helping others in the fight!

[optimizewithscience]

Very informative! Here is one fascinating example of why high insulin is bad:
The enzyme that degrades the amyloid-ß plaques in the Alzheimer's brain is called "insulin-degrading enzyme" and if insulin is constantly high, the enzyme is to busy degrading insulin and can't degrade the plaques.

[douglasphelan]

Awesome. You have fixed your issues with the light-pen. Thank you. I really appreciate being able to see what you write on the screen.

[matthewalexandersayers]

Dr. Berg: You know why.

Me: Singing money, money, money, mooonneeyy, money in my head.

Oh, and I mean from the O'Jays for the love of money to rectify any confusion.

[ButterflyVan]

You presented that really really good👏👏👏👏💞💞💞💞💞 ALSO, SAW EVERYTHING YOU DID ON THE BOARD TODAY!👏😄👍👌

[rafilover]

Thank you so much dr berg..my husband is on metformin for last 10 yrs. Worried!!. He is on omad, but still sugar is between 130 ..140 in the morning Going to forward this video to him....thank you once again.

[mutamente]

2:39
This is fastinate!

congrats for another video!!! You help so much!! Thanks!!

[SuccessfulChan]

wow this Doctor is precious stone or gold, 5 minutes full of gold knowledge

[godislove-loveoneanother]

Wow this is good info.. I think u should teach other doctors to help others this way.. You can also approach the Gov so they can do something about it. Speak 4 those who can't speak for themselves. Bless u.

[nickwilkin]

Please do the same "Is Fasting Healthy for a Diabetic?" for TYPE 1 Diabetes. Love to see the differences.

I'm a type 1 and I agree with most of it and I do fast. However it is always misleading to put 'Diabetes' and not show the differences. Fasting will NEVER stop my need for Insulin injections.
Love the channel keep it up, Thanks.

[rienjen]

TALK ABOUT seasonal affective disorder. Great time of year to discuss it and what to do about it! I assume vitamin D3, but you can go into some good details and other ideas. Thanks!

[kaceeboxers]

Thanks Dr Berg, was wondering about this. As a type 1 diabetic, I follow keto as close as possible but unsure about benefits other than keeping A1C low.