A recent study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in the US, published in Clinical Diabetes, highlights promising outcomes of a low-fat vegan diet for managing Type 1 diabetes and lowering heart disease risk. This autoimmune condition disrupts insulin production, necessitating regular insulin injections for blood sugar control.
Yet, the research indicates that dietary changes, notably adopting a low-fat vegan diet, could substantially decrease insulin requirements and enhance overall health results.
Lead author Hana Kahleova, Director of Clinical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, highlights the groundbreaking nature of the research, emphasising its potential to alleviate concerns surrounding the cost of insulin and enhance the management of blood sugar levels in Type 1 diabetes patients.
Involving 58 adults with Type 1 diabetes, the study randomly divided participants into either a low-fat vegan group or a portion-controlled group. Across 12 weeks, those adhering to the low-fat vegan diet witnessed a 28% decrease in insulin needs and an impressive 127% increase in insulin sensitivity. These outcomes were linked to changes in body weight, with vegan diet participants averaging a five-kilogram weight loss.
Significantly, the study discovered that the higher intake of carbohydrates and fibre associated with the vegan diet led to enhanced insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin needs. These results are consistent with earlier research correlating lower fat and protein consumption with improved outcomes in managing Type 1 diabetes.
