Intermittent fasting

[Nanaimo1]

I am on the O&V program although am now only taking venetoclax (400 mg daily). I am also a type 2 diabetic and am considering doing intermittent fasting. Is that a good idea?

[Newdawn Administrator]

I wouldn’t do it without medical advice to be honest Nanaimo especially if you take medication that can cause hypoglycaemia. Intermittent fasting can however be very effective but I see you are on Venetoclax. I’d be wary of nausea if your nutritional intake is disrupted. Lower carb is probably the best way to go but if you have stable diabetes with no risk of hypos, seek advice before embarking on it.

Best wishes,

Newdawn

[New-bee-cell in reply to Newdawn]

What if you are not diabetic, or on any diabetes meds? Is there any known or theoretical risk/benefit of fasting for CLL folks?

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to New-bee-cell]

Everything I’ve read extols the benefits of intermittent fasting (done properly) and this includes benefits for people with all kinds of cancer. It’s worth doing some research and making your medical team aware.

hopkinsmedicine.org/health/...

Newdawn

[New-bee-cell in reply to Newdawn]

Can you send a link to something that outlines “done properly”?

Many thanks!😁

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to New-bee-cell]

Just did. It’s a big subject but seems widely supported medically for the ‘right candidates’ but advice suggests some diabetics, pregnant women, people with eating disorders, GERD and kidney stones need to avoid this method.

Newdawn

[Nanaimo1 in reply to Newdawn]

Are you on 5:2, 16:8 or another time allocation?

[Newdawn Administrator in reply to Nanaimo1]

I’m on a ‘feeding a family’ time allocation Nanaimo which rather dictates eating patterns but I’ve reduced midday meals to very little and being a type 2 diabetic, try to eat to the meter. The 5:2 does sound to be particularly successful however.

In truth I can talk this better than I can do it 😉

Newdawn

[ChattahoocheeBoy in reply to Nanaimo1]

hi….what do these time allocations mean…..not familiar? Thanks!

[Nanaimo1 in reply to ChattahoocheeBoy]

There are several. The two I am familiar with are:

5:2 Eat regularly for 5 days a week and fast for 2. Fast meaning under 500 calories for women and 600 for men

16:8 Eat regularly for 16 hours a day and fully fast for 8.

[Quansetgirl in reply to Nanaimo1]

actually, 16:8 is fast for sixteen hours, and keep eating within an eight hour window. For instance, skip breakfast, start eating at noon, and finish dinner etc by 8pm.

[strongmouse in reply to Nanaimo1]

My husband has CLL, plus RA and type 2 diabetes. He is loosing weight by doing the 5:2 diet. Basically he eats normally for two days at the weekend and then reduces his calorie intake during the week, especially reducing carbodhydrates. He hasn't had problems with it, but he did have problems with his diabetes on steroids for a flare of the RA!

He ensures he eats at regular times. Dr. Moseley has done quite a bit of research on this. Generally loosing weight is good for your health. This isn't complete fasting as in eating 'no food'. You might want to check with your consultant if there is any contraindication to fasting / following a diet while on that particular medication.

[craterlake in reply to New-bee-cell]

Hi New-bee , you can listen to Dr. Longos on you tube .. he has lots of documentation about its benefits in his book . he is a professor at the university in san diego . he recommends a fasting mimicking 5 day diet which is pretty easy for anyone to do if they are under 65 years old and no commodities ... i have done a few and it always makes me feel better .. you must do it correctly .. the adage is "any man can fast but only a wise man can break a fast " -- blessings , james

[LeoPa in reply to New-bee-cell]

That gets an enthusiastic yes from me 🙂 for the benefit part. Head down this rabbit hole for laymen terms information: marksdailyapple.com/health-...

[Edalv in reply to New-bee-cell]

I would start with the book by Jason Fung, "The Obesity Code"

[country76]

You need to talk to your doctor first.

[jacjar1]

i pretty much stayed on my fasting regimen after I started V&O treatment. doing more of a 12 hour fast. part of the reason is i just not hungry. however I know I need to eat so I do. Venetoclax need to have food in stomach before taking. I did give up for a bit my Keto diet. just wasn't feeling good, The carbs help me to recover from the Gazyva infusions.

[LeoPa]

Being diabetic that could be tricky. Keto would be more appropriate and provide similar benefits. Do talk it over with your diabetologist before you do any radical change to your diet.

[Michaeljohn50]

I followed the 5+2 diet as set out by Dr Michael Mosley to lose weight as part of getting myself into the best shape/level of fitness that I could before starting the O+V treatment. This diet is also used to mitigate Type 2 diabetes for some people. I maintained the 5+2 throughout V+O. My haematologist was aware and supportive of me losing weight in a controlled manner. As ever, we are all different and talk to your doctor first.

Best of luck, Michael

[Imua]

As a retired dietitian, I would stronly recommend that you get a referral to a dietitian who specializes in diabetes.

[Hidden]

Intermittent fasting will help with both your cancer and your diabetes. That and cutting out carbohydrates. In fact cutting out carbs will certainly help with intermittent fasting. You won't get the cravings hours after you've eaten. I'm zero carb and IF is a default because my meals are so satisfying that I can only eat twice a day anyway.

[Astro617 in reply to Hidden]

By zero carbs does that mean no vegetables?

[Hidden in reply to Astro617]

I personally eat no vegetables at all. I eat nothing but red meat and eggs. All plants are full of toxins. All of which keep your immune system tied up. However, a limited amount of low-carb veggies is still allowable under a "keto" diet. And keto is certainly better than a standard american diet (SAD ☹️) high in sugars, grains, seed oils.

[FiiaMaalla in reply to Hidden]

I'm on the same opinion. I eat one or two meals a day, depending on what shift I'm working. I'm eating mostly red meat, organs and fish and self made yoghurt with berries.

[Hidden in reply to FiiaMaalla]

Excellent!!!