Efficacy and Safety of Intermittent Fasting in People With Insulin-Treated Type 2 Diabetes (INTERFAST-2)—A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety and feasibility of 3 nonconsecutive days of intermittent fasting (IF) per week over 12 weeks in participants with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Forty-six people were randomized to an IF or control group. Dietary counseling and continuous glucose monitoring was provided. Coprimary end points were the change in HbA_1c from baseline to 12 weeks and a composite end point (weight reduction ‡2%, insulin dose reduction ‡10%, and HbA_1c reduction ‡3 mmol/mol). RESULTS The IF group showed a significant HbA_1c reduction (27.3 ± 12.0 mmol/mol) compared with the control group (0.1 ± 6.1 mmol/mol) over 12 weeks (P = 0.012). The coprimary end point was achieved by 8 people in the IF and none in the control group (P < 0.001). No severe hypoglycemia occurred. CONCLUSIONS IF is a safe and feasible dietary option to ameliorate glycemic control while reduc-ing total daily insulin dose and body weight in insulin-treated people with type 2 diabetes.