Hypoglycemia compensation mechanisms in dry fasting
Ioannis-Eleemon Papagiannopoulos-Vatopaidinos1, Maria I Papagiannopoulou2, Eleni N Dotsika3
1Vatopaidi Monastery Hospital, Mount Athos, 63086, Greece.
Metabolism Open
|June 30, 2025
Summary
Dry fasting (DF) improves glucose regulation and insulin sensitivity, revealing novel hypoglycemia compensation mechanisms. This study offers insights into metabolic adaptations during DF, potentially informing treatments for metabolic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Physiology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Dry fasting (DF) poses risks like hypovolemia, hypertonicity, and hypoglycemia.
- While hypovolemia and hypertonicity are understood, glucose metabolism and hypoglycemia compensation during DF remain under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate glucose dynamics during DF.
- To elucidate hypoglycemia compensation mechanisms.
- To assess changes in insulin resistance during DF.
Main Methods:
- Ten participants underwent a 5-day dry fast.
- Daily monitoring of glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, glucagon, GH, IGF-1, and various metabolic markers.
- Analysis of urine acetoacetate and renal function (GFR).
Main Results:
- Glucose levels showed a biphasic pattern with a minimum on Day 3.
- Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) decreased, peaking on Day 4.
- Growth hormone (GH), IGF-1, and LDL-cholesterol increased, while leptin and triglycerides exhibited biphasic profiles.
Conclusions:
- Dry fasting decreases insulin resistance and enhances GFR.
- Novel hypoglycemia compensation mechanisms were identified.
- Findings may guide new therapies for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related diseases.
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