The rise of fasting as a therapeutic tool
For years, the management of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) has centered on medications like
metformin or empagliflozin, combined with calorie-restricted diets. But emerging research
now suggests that fasting could be even more effective—not only for lowering blood sugar
but also for weight loss, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing triglycerides, and
supporting long-term metabolic health.
Two recent studies—one presented at the Endocrine Society Annual Meeting (ENDO 2025,
San Francisco) and another published in JAMA Network Open (Guo et al., 2024)—have
compared fasting to both traditional diets and drug treatments. The findings are remarkable.
Fasting vs. Diets: same calories, different results
In a 16-week randomized clinical trial conducted at Zhengzhou University, 90 adults with
Type 2 diabetes were divided into three groups:
– Intermittent fasting (5:2): fasting two days per week, eating normally five days
– Time-restricted feeding: eating only within a 10-hour window
– Continuous calorie restriction: eating fewer calories daily
Fasting vs. Medication: a surprising discovery
Another multicenter study (Guo et al., 2024) followed 509 overweight participants recently
diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Participants were divided into three treatment groups:
– Metformin therapy
– Empagliflozin therapy
– 5:2 intermittent fasting
Even though all groups consumed the same total calories per week, the fasting group
achieved the best results:
Health Marker
Average Improvement
HbA1c (long-term blood sugar)
↓ 1.6–1.9%
Fasting glucose
↓ 2.3 mmol/L
Weight loss
↓ 8.6–9.7 kg (in just 16 weeks)
Triglycerides
↓ 1.14 mmol/L
Treatment adherence
85%
These outcomes reveal that meal timing and metabolic rest matter as much as calorie
intake. Fasting appears to enhance the body’s ability to repair itself and use energy more
efficiently—something that constant eating, even in small portions, doesn’t allow.
After 16 weeks, those in the fasting group showed superior reductions in HbA1c and fasting
glucose, greater weight loss, and higher adherence rates than both drug-treated groups. In
other words, fasting not only matched but outperformed standard medications in several
metabolic outcomes—without side effects.
How fasting improves metabolic health
The physiological mechanisms behind fasting are well-documented and multifaceted:
– Improved insulin sensitivity – cells respond better to insulin, stabilizing glucose levels
– Reduced hepatic glucose output – less sugar is released by the liver
– Enhanced fat metabolism – triglycerides and visceral fat decrease
– Activation of autophagy – damaged cells are cleared, improving metabolic efficiency
Together, these processes create a “metabolic reset” that restores balance and resilience to
the body’s energy systems.
Fasting should always be supervised
Despite its benefits, fasting is not suitable for everyone. People taking insulin or glucose-
lowering medications must only fast under professional supervision, as fasting can rapidly
lower blood sugar levels. Personalized guidance is crucial to avoid complications and
ensure proper nutrition.
Conclusion: fasting as a powerful metabolic intervention
Both the ENDO 2025 trial and the JAMA 2024 study demonstrate that fasting—particularly
the 5:2 intermittent fasting method—can offer significant benefits for those with Type 2
diabetes, often outperforming traditional diet or drug-based interventions.
At Loodus BIOSPA, fasting is more than a temporary dietary change. It’s a scientifically
grounded method to reboot the body’s natural healing mechanisms, improve metabolic
flexibility, and support long-term disease prevention.
Fasting shows strong results in Type 2 Diabetes management — worth exploring, but
only under professional guidance.
References
1. Zhang H., Zhu Z., Qiao B., Li W., Wu M., The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou
University. Randomized parallel-group trial, presented at The Endocrine Society Annual
Meeting (ENDO 2025, San Francisco).
2. Guo L., Xi Y., Jin W., Yuan H., Qin G., Chen S., Zhang L., Liu Y., Cheng X., Liu W., Yu D. (2024).
A 5:2 intermittent fasting meal replacement diet and glycemic control for adults with
diabetes: The EARLY randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2416786.