A low-fat vegan diet may give persons with type 1 diabetes fresh hope, according to a research published in Clinical Diabetes.
Researchers led by Hana Kahleova, the Director of Clinical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in the USA, conducted a study that revealed reduced daily insulin requirements and enhanced insulin sensitivity in people who adopted a low-fat vegan diet for a period of 12 weeks.
Fifty-eight persons with type 1 diabetes participated in the study. One of two dietary groups—a low-fat vegan diet without carbohydrate limitations or a carbohydrate-controlled diet—was randomly allocated to the participants.
Fruits, vegetables, and legumes were advocated for participants in the vegan diet group. The individuals in the portion-controlled diet group, on the other hand, adhered to customized meal plans that lowered daily energy intake by 500–1,000 calories while maintaining a constant intake of carbohydrates. Registered dietitians provided support and weekly online nutrition education seminars to both groups.
More Advancements
Thirty-five adults finished the 12-week trial. Compared to the portion-controlled diet group, those on the vegan diet saw larger drops in their daily insulin dosage and body weight. In addition, those following a vegan diet showed significantly lower levels of total and HDL cholesterol as well as improved insulin sensitivity compared to those following a portion-controlled diet.
According to Kahleova and her colleagues, alterations in body weight and food consumption are correlated with variations in insulin sensitivity in their study. A daily insulin dose reduction and an increase in insulin sensitivity were linked to every kilogram of weight loss. They claimed that improvements in insulin sensitivity were also linked to higher intakes of fiber and carbohydrates.
An Economical Fix
Given the anticipated increase in diabetes incidence and the expensive expense of insulin, the researchers think that people with type 1 diabetes may benefit from a low-fat vegan diet. They propose that altering one’s diet may be an advantageous and reasonably priced way to treat the illness.
“In addition to the current dietary recommendations that emphasize carbohydrate counting, limited consumption of processed and sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, and increased intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, this study provides substantial support for a low-fat vegan diet that is high in fiber and carbohydrates, low in fat, and moderate in protein.” the paper says.
