How beneficial is intermittent fasting with colorectal cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have recently been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and have been reading about various dietary approaches that might help during treatment. I came across intermittent fasting and am curious about its potential benefits and risks in my situation. Could you please provide some guidance on whether intermittent fasting is safe for someone with my condition, and if so, how it might be integrated into my diet plan without compromising my overall nutrition and treatment effectiveness

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a form of intermittent fasting that offers a simplified approach to treating obesity in T1DM (type 1 diabetes mellitus). TRE typically involves restricting eating to six to ten hours per day, with water and medications allowed outside the eating window.

Intermittent fasting helps to control the release of glucose into the bloodstream, which can lead to reduced fasting blood sugar levels by limiting meal intake to specified times. In persons with type 2 diabetes, intermittent fasting has been proven to lower fasting glucose levels by 5.6 percent.

Although clinical trial findings are still very limited, evidence suggests that individuals with T1DM may safely undertake intermittent fasting with a limited risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (a severe and potentially life-threatening complication that primarily affects individuals with type 1 diabetes) or severe glycemic disturbances. Here are our top tips for losing weight safely with T1D.

Take a look at your insulin settings.
Eat a balanced diet that considers your needs, preferences, and intolerances.
Reduce your portion sizes.
Choose protein-rich foods. Lean meats such as chicken, fish, turkey, and eggs.
Low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese or dairy substitutes.
Nuts and nut kinds of butter.
Beans and soy foods.
Avoid sugar, simple carbs, and processed foods.
Increase incidental activity and include resistance training.
Avoid behaviors that put your health at risk.
Take a professional healthcare team to help.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.