Improved Metabolic Control after Supplemented Fasting in Overweight Type II Diabetic Patients

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Abstract
Twenty obese type II diabetes patients were treated in a metabolic ward during 4 wk with a very low caloric regimen (200 kcal/day). They were given dietary advice and reexamined 3 mo. after discharge. Mean body weight decreased by 10 kg during fasting, blood glucose was normalized, urinary glucose disappeared and the K-value at i.v. glucose tolerance test increased. Fasting serum insulin concentrations decreased by 54%. Serum triglycerides (TG) decreased by 65%, serum cholesterol (Chol) by 28% and high density lipoprotein (HDL) Chol by 14%. Three mo. later, only serum TG remained significantly decreased (-47%) while HDL Chol was significantly higher than on admission (+11%). Fasting blood glucose remained significantly lower (-25%) with a low urinary glucose excretion. Supplemented fasting appears to be a safe and useful tool in the treatment of obese type II diabetics. It causes, at least during a limited follow-up period, a significant improvement in glucose control and lipoprotein metabolism in spite of a concomitant reduction of the antidiabetic medication.