This certainly is a provoking question! Interestingly, there appears to be some fairly convincing evidence that intermittent fasting can have a dramatic effect on both diabetes management (and possibly play a role in preventing the condition) in addition to increasing longevity. In 2013, researchers looked at this approach in a British Journal of Diabetes & Vascular Disease article entitled, “Intermittent fasting: a dietary intervention for prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease?”

The study’s authors reported that intermittent fasting helps reduce the risk of heart disease as well as type 2 diabetes AND obesity, as it provides a method to help people manage their weight. They reported generally good compliance and described intermittent fasting as a “clinically relevant therapeutic approach.”

There are several options for intermittent fasting such as fasting on alternate days or not eating for 16 hours (last meal at 8PM and first meal the next day at 1PM, for example). Another option is to simply cut out one meal on days when you observe that your weight has increased.

Not only can intermittent fasting reduce one’s risk for developing diabetes but it may also help diabetics better manage their condition, as this form of fasting improves blood sugar and insulin levels in addition to insulin sensitivity. The research also shows that intermittent fasting can reduce inflammation and improve blood pressure and blood lipid levels. ALL of this, unlike most medications, comes with a low risk of adverse effects and is highly cost effective!

There is also evidence to support the addition of chromium to the diet in order to help prevent and/or control diabetes. According to the National Institutes of Health, chromium is known to enhance the action of insulin—the hormone that keeps our blood sugar levels from soaring out of control. Your doctor of chiropractic can help you establish a program of both chromium intake and fasting.