Obesity and overweight are big risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
That is why losing excessive weight is important not only for improving body-image, but also for less diabetes risk.
However, unhealthy weight-loss methods may just do the opposite: they can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
For example, one way to lose body weight is fasting every other day.
This intermittent fasting method may be effective in reducing body weight, but it can impair the action of hormones that regulate sugar and insulin and thus increase diabetes risk.
This is found by a recent study from the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting, ECE 2018.
Researchers examined the effects of fasting every other day on the body weight and insulin function in healthy rats over a 3-month period.
They found that the fasting intermittent diets could increase body weight, but across time the amount of fat in the belly increased.
What’s more, the pancreas cells that release insulin were damaged, and the signs of insulin resistance were observed.
The researchers explain that blood sugar is partially regulated by the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.
When insulin levels become very low, or the body becomes resistant to its effects, type 2 diabetes will happen.
High blood sugar can also cause other health problems, such as kidney disease and eye diseases.
Intermittent fasting can disrupt the normal insulin function, and hence increase risk for type 2 diabetes.
In addition, other research has shown that short-term fasting can produce highly reactive chemicals in the body can cause damage at the cellular level.
The results could be impaired organ function, a high risk of cancer and faster aging.
The researchers said: “despite weight loss, intermittent fasting diets may actually damage the pancreas and affect insulin function in normal healthy individuals, which could lead to diabetes and serious health issues.”
“We should consider that overweight or obese people who opt for intermittent fasting diets may already have insulin resistance.
So, although this diet may lead to early, rapid weight loss, in the long-term there could be potentially serious damaging effects to their health, such as the development of type-2 diabetes.”
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