Type 2 diabetes is characterized by resistance to insulin, a hormone that transports sugar from your blood into your cells, resulting in high blood sugar. A vegetarian diet -- which includes plant-based foods, may include dairy and eggs, and does not include fish or meat -- may prevent type 2 diabetes and lower your risk of diabetic complications, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, blindness and kidney failure. Consult your doctor about a vegetarian diet.
Prevention
Consuming a vegetarian diet may help reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes. Research by scientists at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami in Florida and published in "Ethnicity and Disease" in 2003 discovered that the prevalence of diabetes is lower among long-term vegetarians. The research also found that vegetarians are leaner and have lower blood pressure than non-vegetarians.
Cardiovascular Disease
A vegetarian diet can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, a complication of type 2 diabetes. The longer blood sugar stays in your blood vessels, the higher your risk that it damages endothelial cells, the layer of cells that line the interior of your arteries. Research by scientists at the Center for Cardiovascular Research at Charite University in Berlin and published in "Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research" in 2007 reports that insulin resistance can cause blood vessel inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Research by scientists at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and published in "Nutrition" in 2004 discovered that long-term vegetarians have a better antioxidant status and coronary artery disease profile than omnivores. Antioxidants help protect endothelial cells from inflammation and oxidative stress associated with cardiovascular disease. Consuming healthy fats that include omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids may reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Vegetarian sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts and flaxseed oil. Olive oil and nuts contain monounsaturated fatty acids. Research by scientists at George Washington University School of Medicine and published in "Nutrition Reviews" in 2009 reports that a vegetarian diet improves blood cholesterol levels and reverses the progression of atherosclerosis.
Weight
Increasing weight and obesity are risk factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. Losing weight may reduce the risk of diabetic complications. A low-fat vegetarian diet may enhance your ability to lose weight. Research by scientists at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington and published in "Diabetes Educator" in 2010 reports that a low-fat, plant-based diet reduces body weight and improves control of blood sugar.
Kidney Function
Type 2 diabetics have a high risk of kidney failure and may benefit from consuming vegetarian sources of protein. Research by scientists at National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute in Tehran and published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 2003 discovered that soy can improve kidney function in patients with diabetes. The research found that compared with diabetic patients who eat meat, patients who consume soy have greater reductions of nitrogen and protein in the urine.
References
- American Diabetes Association; Type 2; 2010
- "Ethnicity and Disease"; Obesity, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Vegetarian Status among Seventh-Day Adventists; Noel Brathwaite, et al.; Winter 2003
- "Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research"; The Endothelium and Vascular Inflammation in Diabetes; Martin Hartge, et al.; June 2007
- "Nutrition"; Effects of a Long-Term Vegetarian Diet on Biomarkers of Antioxidant Status and Cardiovascular Disease Risk; Y.T. Szeto, et al.; October 2004
- American Diabetes Association; Fat and Diabetes; 2010
- "Nutrition Reviews"; Vegetarian and Vegan Diets in Type 2 Diabetes Management; Neal Barnard, et al.; May 2009
