The effects of intermittent fasting in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Systematic review

Introduction: The disease known as diabetes mellitus (DM) is generally considered one of the non-communicable diseases worldwide and requires a high number of resources and costs for its treatment. Given that the most common form of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), new therapeutical strategies are to be implemented, for instance the intermittent fasting as a way to deal with it. Objective: Determine the effects of the intermittent fasting on diagnosed DM2 patients as well as to identify the risks and benefits of carrying out this diet. Material and methods: Pubmed, Dialnet, Cochrane, Cinahl, Embase and Scopus were all used in the bibliographical research and documentation in regard with the effects produced by the implementation of the intermittent fasting on diagnosed DM2 patients. In addition, sixteen articles have been thoroughly analysed and examined through the FLC 3.0 Platform. Results: Positive and statistically significant changes stood out on the levels of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), weight loss, lowering of the glucose and plasma lipids levels during the fasting period, a reduction of the body mass index (BMI) and the circumference of the waistline. On the contrary, hypoglycaemic events appeared as an adverse effect, nonetheless they were not associated with the practice of the fasting, but for the individual characteristics of the patients. Conclusions: The intermittent fasting on diagnosed DM2 patients may suppose an efficient tool which brings health benefits as long as the patients are being under an adequate professional control and assessment. However, there is a need of more long-term investigation and research on humans on a bigger scale with a larger sample in order to obtain more solid and conclusive results.