Experience With Intermittent Caloric Restriction in Individuals With Type 1 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the prevalence and experiences of intermittent caloric restriction (ICR) among individuals with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), despite its growing popularity. METHODS AND RESULTS: From September to October 2023, patients diagnosed with T1DM aged 18-89 in Minnesota were invited via the M Health Fairview's electronic health record (EHR) to complete a 10-min online survey. The survey gathered patient-provided data on demographics, clinical data, and questions centered on weight and use of ICR. Out of 124 respondents, 39 reported participating in ICR and completed the survey. These participants, with a mean age of 42.8 years (SD = 12.0) and a mean BMI of 28.2 kg/m2 (SD = 5.5), included 22 females and 17 males. Among them, 34 reported practicing time-restricted eating (TRE), whereas 5 reported practicing intermittent fasting (IF). TRE participants reported an average weight loss of 6.0 kg, whereas IF participants reported an average weight loss of 3.5 kg. Hypoglycemia was reported by five TRE participants and one IF participant, with no episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) reported. Only six participants reported that their healthcare providers were aware of their fasting program. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with T1DM do engage in ICR, mainly TRE, with rare hypoglycemia and no DKA. Further research is needed on long-term ICR safety in T1DM patients.