Fasting can help regulate blood sugar levels from "summary" of Fasting for Life by Francis E. Umesiri
Fasting has been shown to have a significant impact on regulating blood sugar levels. When you fast, your body switches from using glucose as its primary source of energy to using stored fat. This shift in energy sources helps to stabilize blood sugar levels by reducing the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. During fasting, your body also becomes more sensitive to insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. This increased sensitivity allows insulin to more effectively transport glucose from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy. As a result, fasting can help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of insulin resistance, a condition in which your body becomes less responsive to insulin. In addition to improving insulin sensitivity, fasting can also help lower blood sugar levels by reducing the amount of glucose produced by your liver. When you fast, your liver decreases its glucose production and starts to break down stored glycogen into glucose to provide energy for your body. This process helps to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels and can be especially beneficial for individuals with diabetes or prediabetes. Furthermore, fasting can promote the production of ketones, which are alternative fuel sources produced by the liver during periods of fasting or low carbohydrate intake. Ketones can help provide energy for your brain and body when glucose levels are low, further supporting blood sugar regulation during fasting.- Fasting can be a powerful tool for managing blood sugar levels and improving overall metabolic health. By reducing glucose levels, improving insulin sensitivity, and promoting the production of ketones, fasting can help support healthy blood sugar regulation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes.
