Could strategically timed eating offer new hope for managing type 2 diabetes? Emerging research presented at a major medical conference suggests intermittent fasting, in specific forms, provides significant clinical improvements for individuals with T2D. These promising findings come from a rigorous 6-month lifestyle intervention study that explored the impact of different fasting approaches on key diabetes markers like HbA1c and blood sugar levels. Notably, the study included patients on insulin, a group often excluded from similar trials, adding crucial evidence about the potential safety and effectiveness of intermittent fasting even in more advanced stages of the disease.
A Closer Look at the Groundbreaking Study
At the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions held in Chicago, Illinois, investigator Felicia Steger, PhD, RD, shared compelling results. Dr. Steger, an Assistant Professor in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, presented data from a 6-month trial. This intervention specifically investigated the effects of two types of intermittent fasting regimens. The approaches studied were Time-Restricted Eating combined with Energy Restriction (TRE+ER) and Intermittent Energy Restriction (IER) alone.
The Interventions Tested: TRE+ER and IER
The study design focused on practical, implementable lifestyle strategies. Time-Restricted Eating (TRE) typically involves confining calorie intake to a specific window each day. When combined with Energy Restriction (ER), participants also reduced their overall calorie consumption. Intermittent Energy Restriction (IER), sometimes known as periodic fasting, involves significantly cutting calories on certain days while eating normally on others. Both methods aim to create periods of fasting, but they differ in structure and frequency. Researchers sought to understand how these distinct patterns affected T2D management over six months.
Significant Clinical Improvements Observed
The findings presented by Dr. Steger were highly encouraging. Both the TRE+ER and IER groups demonstrated notable clinical improvements. Key metrics showed positive changes. Participants saw reductions in their HbA1c levels, a long-term marker of blood sugar control. Glucose Area Under the Curve (AUC), reflecting overall blood sugar exposure over time, also improved. Additionally, participants in both intervention arms achieved reductions in body weight. These combined outcomes underscore the potential of intermittent fasting as a valuable tool within a comprehensive T2D management plan.
Beyond Weight Loss: Impact on Glycemic Control
While weight loss is a common benefit of many dietary changes and can certainly improve T2D, the study’s impact on HbA1c and glucose AUC highlights more direct effects on glycemic control. Better blood sugar management is critical for preventing or delaying diabetes complications. The results suggest that the pattern of eating, not just the amount, plays a significant role in metabolic health. This aligns with growing scientific interest in how nutrient timing interacts with the body’s natural circadian rhythms. Research suggests that aligning eating periods with daily biological clocks through practices like TRE may enhance metabolic function at a cellular level.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom: Including Insulin Users
One of the most significant aspects of Dr. Steger’s study is its inclusion criteria. Unlike many previous intermittent fasting trials in T2D, this intervention actively included individuals who were taking insulin. Historically, concerns about hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) have led researchers to exclude patients on insulin from such studies. This limitation meant evidence was lacking for those with more advanced diabetes requiring insulin therapy.
Providing Evidence for More Advanced T2D
Dr. Steger emphasized the importance of this inclusion. She stated that a primary goal was to provide evidence that patients further along in their T2D progression could still benefit from intermittent fasting. By including participants on insulin, the study aimed to determine if these fasting approaches could be implemented safely and effectively in this population. This design choice makes the findings particularly relevant for a broader range of individuals living with type 2 diabetes.
Prioritizing Patient Safety
Conducting a fasting study with participants on insulin requires meticulous planning and monitoring. Dr. Steger stressed that participant safety was the highest priority throughout the trial. This involved careful modulation of participants’ diabetes medications. Protocols were in place to prevent hypoglycemic events. This focus on safety demonstrates that with appropriate medical supervision and personalized management plans, intermittent fasting strategies can be explored even in complex T2D cases involving insulin use.
The Importance of Medical Guidance
While the study shows promise, it also implicitly underscores the need for professional guidance. Intermittent fasting should not be attempted by individuals with T2D, especially those on medications like insulin, without consulting their healthcare provider. A doctor or registered dietitian can help determine if IF is appropriate, recommend a safe and effective approach, and adjust medications as needed to prevent adverse events.
Remaining Questions and Future Research Needs
Despite the positive findings, Dr. Steger acknowledged that questions about intermittent fasting in T2D remain. The long-term effects of these interventions require further investigation. Additionally, understanding which individuals are most likely to benefit and the optimal IF approach for different patient profiles needs more research. Dr. Steger highlighted a desire for high-priority studies to delve deeper into these areas. Continued research is essential to fully understand the potential, limitations, and best practices for incorporating intermittent fasting into T2D care.
Connecting Research to Practice
The insights from this study add valuable data to the growing body of evidence supporting lifestyle interventions for type 2 diabetes. Experts like Dr. Steger are contributing to a more nuanced understanding of how dietary patterns can impact metabolic health. While the study focused on specific regimens, the broader conversation around intermittent fasting for metabolic conditions is gaining traction among healthcare professionals, with figures like Dr. Jason Fung also advocating for its potential in managing T2D and insulin resistance.
Understanding the ‘How’: Metabolic Mechanisms
Why might intermittent fasting be effective? Beyond calorie restriction, fasting periods can influence various metabolic pathways. Research on insulin resistance, a core issue in T2D, suggests that specific lipid molecules, like diacylglycerol, can disrupt insulin signaling by activating certain proteins (Protein Kinase C or PKC). Intermittent fasting may help reduce the accumulation of these disruptive lipids or influence the pathways they affect, potentially improving insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, aligning eating with circadian rhythms through time-restricted eating can improve metabolic markers, suggesting a benefit from synchronizing food intake with the body’s natural cycles rather than erratic eating patterns. These potential mechanisms provide a scientific basis for the observed clinical improvements.
Potential Tools for Implementation
For individuals considering intermittent fasting as part of their T2D management, technology can play a supportive role. Various diet and fitness applications are available that can help track food intake, monitor blood sugar trends (if integrated), and manage eating windows. While apps are tools and not a substitute for medical advice, they can assist patients and clinicians in monitoring progress and adherence to a lifestyle plan that might include intermittent fasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of intermittent fasting were studied for T2D effectiveness?
The research presented by Dr. Felicia Steger at the ADA 2025 Scientific Sessions investigated two specific intermittent fasting approaches over six months. These were Time-Restricted Eating combined with Energy Restriction (TRE+ER), where participants limited eating to a specific daily window while also reducing overall calories, and Intermittent Energy Restriction (IER), which involved significantly cutting calories on certain days while eating normally on others. Both methods showed positive clinical outcomes for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Where was this research on intermittent fasting for T2D presented?
This particular 6-month lifestyle intervention study evaluating intermittent fasting for type 2 diabetes was presented by Felicia Steger, PhD, RD, at the 2025 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions. The conference was held from June 20-23 in Chicago, Illinois. The findings were shared in a poster presentation titled “Effects of a 6-Month Lifestyle Intervention for Type 2 Diabetes Featuring Intermittent Energy Restriction or Time-Restricted Eating on Glucose Tolerance and Body Weight,” referenced as Poster #1910 LB.
Is intermittent fasting safe for people with Type 2 Diabetes who take insulin?
According to findings from Dr. Steger’s study presented at ADA 2025, intermittent fasting strategies like TRE+ER and IER can be implemented safely even for individuals with type 2 diabetes who are taking insulin. A key focus of the trial was prioritizing participant safety, which involved careful medication adjustments and measures to prevent hypoglycemia. While the study shows it’s possible with appropriate medical oversight, it is crucial that anyone with T2D, especially those on insulin or other diabetes medications, only undertake intermittent fasting under the close supervision and guidance of their healthcare provider.
Conclusion
The results presented at ADA 2025 by Dr. Felicia Steger and colleagues add significant weight to the evidence supporting intermittent fasting as a viable strategy for managing type 2 diabetes. The finding that both Time-Restricted Eating with Energy Restriction and Intermittent Energy Restriction can lead to improvements in HbA1c, glucose AUC, and body weight is promising. Crucially, the study’s successful inclusion of participants using insulin expands the potential applicability of these methods to a broader T2D population. While more research is needed to refine best practices and understand long-term effects, this study suggests that, under careful medical supervision, intermittent fasting could be a powerful addition to the toolkit for effective type 2 diabetes management. Always consult with your healthcare team before making changes to your diet or diabetes treatment plan.
