Vegan diet and type 2 diabetes

While both a low-fat vegan diet and a diet based on ADA guidelines improve blood sugar and cholesterol control in patients with type 2 diabetes, these improvements are greater with a low-fat vegan diet.

This is the conclusion from a study of 99 patients in Diabetes Care, a publication of the American Diabetes Association.

More patients in the vegan group reduced their diabetes medication. Among those who did not change their medication, there was a significantly greater reduction in hemoglobin A1c (the best test to determine if blood sugar is under control), body weight, and LDL-cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol).

The bottom line is that both diets were beneficial to the patients. However, the vegan diet differs from current diabetes diets because there are no limits on calories, carbohydrates, and portions. This might make it easier for some people to follow.

If you don’t have access to the entire article, here is a review. Also, useful information about a vegan diet is found here. For more info with an attitude, go the Amazon box on the side panel and type “Vegan with a Vengeance.”

Logo: EnvironGentle

7/29/06 11:20 JR