The Risks of Fasting Associated with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes

• Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)

Serum blood sugar levels are kept in check by the secretion of insulin by the pancreas. In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas is unable to supply enough insulin and patients must be given insulin to make up for the imbalance. In Type 2 diabetics, the body is less sensitive to existing supplies of insulin and medications designed to improve sensitivity are taken. In either case the body is unable to properly regulate serum blood sugar and levels may either rise or fall to potentially lethal levels. This is why it is important for diabetics to carefully watch their diet and monitor their blood sugar levels.

During a fast, diabetics are at risk of developing a potentially lethal complication due to a drop in their blood sugar. This condition is referred to as “hypoglycemia” and is sometimes referred to as “insulin shock” when the condition is caused by the presence of too much insulin. Insulin drives blood sugar out of the blood stream and into cells. This is necessary for cellular function but the blood sugar must never be driven below a certain level as this is life threatening. Diabetics who take their insulin and either forget to eat or intentionally skip a meal may unintentionally drive their blood sugars below this critical level and risk serious consequences. Although most people can tell when their blood sugar falls dangerously low (light headedness, dizziness, sweaty skin) some diabetics have an impaired response to low blood sugars and the normal warning signs accompanying this drop may be absent. This is known as “hypoglycemic unawareness” and has resulted in many deaths among diabetics. To avoid these serious complications, diabetics interested in exploring fasting may only do so with the guidance of their health care providers as only they will be able to address the unique challenges of each patient and provide the any necessary monitoring.

If you are overweight and have never been screened for diabetes, proper diagnosis and treatment is critical to your health. In fact, we highly recommend you consider being screened for this condition before starting a fast. Screening tests for people at risk of diabetes (Family History, Overweight, History of Gestational Diabetes) are readily available through your healthcare provider.

For more information about Diabetes please (click here).