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Some people adhere to a practice known as intermittent fasting for a variety of dietary and health purposes. Recently, intermittent fasting has been a popular dieting trend. It seems like these days everyone is partaking in the trend from health bloggers to personal trainers to celebrities like Beyoncé and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. However, not all of these participants manage Type 1 diabetes in their day to day life.  For those with Type 1 diabetes who are wondering if participating in intermittent fasting is safe, keep reading.

Brief Overview Of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs because the pancreases of these stricken individuals produce little or, in some cases, no insulin. Insulin is a hormone responsible for the body’s synthesis of glucose (sugar). Symptoms of this malady often include but are not limited to excessive hunger and thirst, unintended weight loss, increased urination, fatigue, and vision disturbances.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting, sometimes abbreviated as IF, is a dietary practice some individuals engage in to lose weight and improve their overall health.

This practice entails adopting eating patterns in which participants fast for extended periods. In certain instances, food free periods could last for as long as 16 hours per day or for full days once or twice per week. Proponents of the practice opine that adherents lose or maintain healthy weights because they minimize caloric intake. Additionally, those in favor of IF suggest that doing so improves certain bodily functions such as hormonal regulation, cellular repair, cardiovascular flow, and cognitive capabilities.

Intermittent Fasting And Type 1 Diabetes

Individuals afflicted with this malady often experience unusual fluctuations in blood glucose concentrations. Should such findings be too high or too low, exacerbations of their symptoms might occur. In severe cases, these physical manifestations could pose serious, potentially life-threatening issues.

Certain people with this disease wonder if the practice is safe. Some members of the medical community opine that IF is safe provided those in question carefully monitor their diets and blood glucose levels, as well as administer insulin when necessary.

Associated Benefits

In addition to helping individuals maintain a healthy weight and control their intake of calories, IF might also regulate systemic insulin and render Type 1 diabetics less dependent upon the substance.

Anyone with Type 1 diabetes is, however, urged to discuss IF or any other major dietary practice with their doctor before committing to it. Furthermore, if they experience any worsening or new symptoms while adhering to this dietary plan, such individuals are encouraged to consult with a medical professional.