Linda Gardner's Blog: How Much Should You Fast Once Type 2 Diabetes Is Reversed?

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

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)