Intermittent Fasting (IF) is a diet method adopted by many people to control weight and improve metabolic health. Instead of focusing on food, this method mainly adjusts eating and fasting times during the day. Some common models include the 16:8 diet (16-hour fasting and eating in 8 hours) or interval fasting.
Although it may benefit some people, medical experts believe that intermittent fasting is not suitable for all subjects, especially those with chronic diseases. Changing eating times can affect blood sugar, medication schedules and nutrient absorption.
According to Edwina Raj, Head of Clinical Nutrition and Diet Services at Aster CMI Hospital (Bangalore, India), intermittent fasting is a model of alternating eating between eating and fasting stages. However, the safety of this method depends on each person's health condition.
Risk of blood sugar fluctuations
For people with diabetes or insulin resistance, prolonged fasting can change blood sugar levels. When the time without eating is too long, the risk of hypoglycemia can increase, especially in people who are using insulin or hypoglycemic medication.
Experts say that some forms of fasting can be beneficial for metabolic health in certain cases. However, people with chronic diseases need to be closely monitored to avoid sudden increases or decreases in blood sugar.
Effects on medication use
Many medications for chronic diseases need to be taken with food or at certain times of the day. When changing your diet, medication may also be affected.
This can reduce treatment effectiveness or increase the risk of side effects. Therefore, people with diseases such as hypertension, thyroid disorders, or digestive diseases should consult a doctor before applying intermittent fasting.
Risk of nutritional deficiency
People with chronic diseases often need to supplement enough nutrients to support their health and treatment process. When eating time is shortened, the amount of food consumed during the day may decrease.
If there is no reasonable meal plan, the body may lack protein, fiber, vitamins and essential minerals. This can affect overall health and the body's ability to recover.
When can we consider applying it?
In some cases, intermittent fasting may be considered for people with metabolic disorders such as obesity or pre-diabetes. However, this method needs to be personalized and performed under the supervision of a medical professional.
Experts recommend that people with chronic diseases should consult a doctor before changing their diet to ensure health safety.
