How Much Should You Fast Once Type 2 Diabetes Is Reversed?

By Dietdoctor @DietDoctor1

There are tons of questions about intermittent fasting, like these:

  • Does coffee when fasting affect insulin resistance and adrenal fatigue?
  • How much protein should one eat per day?
  • How much should one fast once they have reversed their type 2 diabetes?

Dr. Jason Fung is one of the world's leading experts on fasting for weight loss or diabetes reversal. Here are a his answers to those questions and more:

Coffee and adrenal fatigue

I drink coffee, it helps with my fast, two cups per day. I watched a video on Diet Doctor with Dr. Michael Fox who says that coffee raises insulin. He also lost weight after he stopped drinking coffee. There is also a ketogenic lady named Stephanie Person who says coffee damages the adrenal glands. I'm confused. Is coffee healthy or not because it has a lot of pros and cons and it will interfere with my fast?

Abdifatah

If you are getting good results with coffee during fasts, then continue. I doubt very much that coffee damages the adrenals, otherwise 9 out of 10 adults would have adrenal damage. May as well write that air damages your lungs.

Dr. Jason Fung

How much protein should I eat per day?

I understand that I need healthy fat to replace the carbohydrates. However, I want to make sure I'm also eating the right amount of protein. Is it so many grams per kilogram?

Thanks,
Todd

Somewhere between 0.6 - 1 g/kg/day. The more overweight you are, the less protein is needed.

Dr. Jason Fung

How much should one fast once type 2 diabetes is reversed?

I realize that everyone is different but for those of us doing shorter daily fasts what do you recommend for maintenance once we have reversed type 2 diabetes?

Jill

I typically advise two 24-hour fasts per week, or if you prefer longer ones, perhaps a 5-day fast per month.

Dr. Jason Fung

More

Intermittent Fasting for Beginners

Earlier Q&A sessions with Dr. Fung:

Many more questions and answers:

Intermittent Fasting Q&A

Read all earlier questions and answers - and ask your own! - here if you are a member:

Ask Jason Fung about intermittent fasting and type 2 diabetes - for members ( free trial available)

More with Dr. Fung

Dr. Fung has his own blog at intensivedietarymanagement.com. He is also active on Twitter.

His book The Obesity Code is available on Amazon.

His new book, The Complete Guide to Fasting is also available on Amazon.