Can Intermittent Energy Restriction Enhance Diabetes Management in Obese Patients?
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Synopsis
Discover how dietary strategies like intermittent energy restriction can revolutionize diabetes care for obese individuals. This groundbreaking study reveals the significant impacts of structured eating patterns on blood sugar management and overall health, offering hope for better treatment options.
Key Takeaways
- Intermittent energy restriction (IER) shows promise in managing diabetes.
- IER has the highest adherence rate among dietary strategies.
- Significant improvements in fasting blood glucose and triglycerides were noted with IER.
- The study involved a total of 90 participants, with a diverse demographic.
- Findings underscore the potential of dietary interventions in diabetes treatment.
New Delhi, July 14 (NationPress) A recent study indicates that dietary methods such as intermittent energy restriction, time-restricted eating, and continuous energy restriction can positively influence blood sugar levels and weight in individuals suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes.
The study found that while there were improvements in HbA1c levels and adverse events were comparable across all groups, participants in the IER group experienced more significant benefits in lowering fasting blood glucose, enhancing insulin sensitivity, decreasing triglycerides, and improving adherence to the dietary programs.
IER typically involves cycles of reduced calorie intake, which differs from intermittent fasting (IF) that includes full or near-total food abstinence.
The study directly compared the 5:2 intermittent energy restriction method with a 10-hour time-restricted eating regimen among obese patients with type 2 diabetes.
“These results offer scientific validation for healthcare providers to select effective dietary strategies for managing these patients,” stated Haohao Zhang, Ph.D., chief physician at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Zhengzhou, China.
Ninety participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to the IER, TRE, or CER groups, ensuring a consistent weekly caloric intake across all groups, under the supervision of a team of nutritionists during a 16-week intervention.
Of those who started the study, 63 completed it — consisting of 18 females and 45 males, with an average age of 36.8 years, a mean diabetes duration of 1.5 years, a baseline BMI of 31.7 kg/m², and an HbA1c of 7.42 percent.
At the conclusion of the study, no notable differences were observed in HbA1c reduction or weight loss among the IER, TRE, and CER participants. However, the absolute reductions in HbA1c and body weight were most pronounced in the IER group.
Compared to TRE and CER, IER significantly lowered fasting blood glucose and triglycerides while enhancing the Matsuda index, which measures whole-body insulin sensitivity. Uric acid and liver enzyme levels showed no significant changes from baseline in any group.
Two individuals from the IER and TRE groups, and three from the CER group, experienced mild hypoglycemia.
The IER group had the highest adherence rate at 85 percent, followed closely by the CER group at 84 percent and the TRE group at 78 percent. Statistically significant differences were found between the IER and CER groups compared to TRE.
Zhang emphasized that these findings underline the feasibility and effectiveness of dietary interventions for individuals managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
This study is currently being presented at the ongoing ENDO 2025, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in San Francisco, US.
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight the importance of research-backed dietary strategies in managing chronic conditions like diabetes. The findings from this study not only provide hope for individuals struggling with obesity but also equip healthcare professionals with valuable insights for patient care. Our commitment is to disseminate credible information that empowers our audience to make informed health choices.
NationPress
14/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is intermittent energy restriction?
Intermittent energy restriction (IER) is a dietary approach that involves alternating periods of reduced calorie intake, aimed at improving metabolic health.
How does IER compare to time-restricted eating?
IER differs from time-restricted eating (TRE) in that it focuses on cyclical calorie reduction, while TRE limits eating to specific time windows.
What were the key findings of the study?
The study found that IER significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and triglycerides while enhancing insulin sensitivity, with higher adherence rates compared to other dietary methods.
How many participants were involved in the study?
The study involved 90 participants, with 63 completing the entire 16-week intervention.
What is the Matsuda index?
The Matsuda index is a measure used to evaluate whole-body insulin sensitivity, important for assessing metabolic health in diabetes management.
