Low fat vegan diet vs. American Diabetes Association diet for diabetes:
Barnard, ND et al examined the effects of diet on concentration of glucose in the blood, weight, and plasma lipids among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus for 74 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to a low-fat vegan diet (n=42) or a standard diabetes diet based on the 2003 American Diabetes Association guidelines (n=50). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma lipids, and weight were measured. At the end of the study period, weight significantly decreased by 4.4 kg and 3.9 kg in the vegan and conventional groups, respectively. For participants on the vegan diet, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol decreased by 20.4 mg/dL and 13.5 mg/dL, respectively. Corresponding values for those on the conventional diet was a decrease of 6.8 mg/dL and 3.4 mg/dL. In conclusion changes in overall lifestyle that include a vegan or nearly-vegan diet may be effective in improving the health of people with diabetes. (26)