A vegetarian diet vs type 2 diabetes

Recent research sheds light on a situation that may be crucial for all of our patients. Researchers found that overweight people who switched to a vegetarian diet for 16 weeks showed considerable improvements in insulin sensitivity plus beta cell function, compared to a control group. Beta cells reside in the pancreas. These produce and release insulin. The vegan diet also led to **improvements in blood sugar levels, both during fasting and during meals. ** The study’s lead author, Dr. Hana Kahleova, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, D.C., says the findings have “important implications for diabetes prevention.” Dr. Kahleova and her colleagues recently published their results in the journal Nutrients. Being overweight is one of the main risk factors that leads to type 2 diabetes. In fact, about 80% of people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Making lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity, can help reduce the risk of this disease. The new study by Dr. Kahleova and her team provides evidence to confirm this by identifying that a vegetarian diet is a possible option for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in overweight people. Important information that we must share with our patients who are at high risk or who already suffer from this disease.