Vegetarian diet, diabetes, weight loss, and cholesterol:
The effects of diet on blood glucose, weight, and plasma lipids (fatty molecules in blood) were examined among individuals with type 2 diabetes 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 (Hb A1c), plasma lipids, and weight were measure. At the end of the study period, HbA1C was reduced by 0.34 in vegetarians and 0.14 in the ADA diet group. Weight significantly decreased by 4.4 kg and 3.0 kg in the vegan and conventional groups, respectively. For participants on the vegan diet, total cholesterol and LDL (bad) 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. (12)