Diabetes mellitus -- including type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes -- is a group of conditions related to high blood sugar and insulin dysfunction. Although there is no known cure for diabetes, altering your diet may help control symptoms and reduce your need for medication. Veganism, which excludes all foods of animal origin, is one diet that may play a beneficial role in diabetes management.
Description
The vegan diet is a strict form of vegetarianism that excludes not only meat, poultry and fish, but also animal byproducts including eggs, dairy and honey, the Vegetarian Resource Group explains. With the exception of vitamins B-12 and D, vegan diets can provide a full spectrum of nutrients from vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits and other plant-based foods. The American Dietetic Association considers well-planned vegan diets to be nutritionally adequate for all stages of life.
Research
Current research shows a positive impact of veganism on type 2 diabetes -- particularly forms of veganism that reduce fat intake and emphasize whole, unprocessed foods. According to a study published in the August 2006 edition of "Diabetes Care," a low-fat vegan diet produced greater improvements in glycemic and lipid control among individuals with type 2 diabetes than a standard American Diabetes Association diet, indicating the vegan diet may help manage diabetes better than more widely espoused nutritional guidelines. Another paper published in "Medical Hypotheses" suggests that a low-fat vegan diet, particularly when supplemented with taurine, may reduce complications associated with advanced glycation end-products in diabetic patients. Additional research published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in May 2009 found that low-fat vegan diets reduced body weight, improved lipid concentrations and helped control blood sugar in diabetics more effectively than a conventional diabetes diet. Although research on veganism and type 2 diabetes is promising, there is no clinical evidence that veganism can improve type 1 diabetes or gestational diabetes.
Considerations
Although a vegan diet may help improve glucose control, normalize blood lipids and reduce complications associated with diabetes, this diet is not an immediate cure for the disease. More research is needed to determine which components of low-fat vegan diets produce the most benefit for diabetics. Simply excluding animal products and byproducts from your diet may not be enough to relieve diabetes symptoms unless you also reduce your total fat intake, increase your fruit and vegetable intake, emphasize whole foods over processed products and supplement as needed.
Warning
Unless adequately planned, a vegan diet may be low in several key nutrients such as vitamin D, calcium, zinc, iron, omega-3 fats and vitamin B-12; take precautions to consume adequate amounts of these nutrients if you adopt a vegan diet. Consult your physician before you make dietary changes in attempt to control your diabetes symptoms, and avoid altering your use of insulin or other medications unless advised by a health care professional.
References
- American Diabetes Association: Diabetes Basics
- Vegetarian Resource Group: Veganism in a Nutshell
- American Dietetic Association; Vegetarian Diets; July 2009
- "Diabetes Care"; A Low-Fat Vegan Diet Improves Glycemic Control and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes; Neal Barnard, et al.; August 2006
- "Medical Hypotheses"; The Low-AGE Content of Low-Fat Vegan Diets Could Benefit Diabetics -- Though Concurrent Taurine Supplementation May Be Needed to Minimize Endogenous AGE Production; Mark F. McCarty; 2005
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; A Low-Fat Vegan Diet and a Conventional Diabetes Diet in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Controlled, 74-Week Clinical Trial; Neal D. Barnard, et al.; May 2009
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