Guest guest Posted November 1, 2000 Report Share Posted November 1, 2000 http://www.diabetes.com/news/19990914-1188.html Vegan Diet Helps Control Type 2 Diabetes A strict vegetarian 'vegan' diet can help improve blood sugar control in patients with type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes, according to researchers. Bold sugar levels declined on the vegan diet, " despite decreased medication use, " conclude researchers led by Dr. Andrew S. Nicholson, of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, DC. The results were published in the August issue of Preventive Medicine. Nearly 95% of all diabetics have type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body gradually becomes less sensitive to insulin, leading to potentially dangerous fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Medications and healthy changes in lifestyle -- such as low-fat diets and exercise -- can help patients maintain safe glycemic (blood sugar) control. In their study, the authors tracked the glycemic control of seven patients with type 2 diabetes who followed a strict, plant-based, low-fat 'vegan' diet for 12 weeks. The investigators compared the results with those of four diabetic patients assigned to a more conventional low-fat regimen. According to the researchers, fasting blood glucose levels dropped an average of 28% in patients on the low-fat vegan diet and 12% in those randomized to the conventional low-fat diet. Average weight loss was 7.2 kg (almost 16 pounds) in the vegan group and 3.8 kg (slightly over 8 pounds) in the conventional group, according to the report. Furthermore, one of six patients in the vegan group completely discontinued use of hypoglycemia medication during the study period, while three patients were able to reduce their dosage of these agents. By comparison, " no patients in the control group reduced medication use, " the investigators point out. Although the findings appear promising, the study group was small, and the authors warn that the results require confirmation through further research. ---------------------- Why would the authors warn that the results require further research?...how skeptical. Anyways its nice to know one more thing that a vegan diet improves eh! Bliss. -- Free email services provided by http://www.goodkarmacafe.com Powered by Outblaze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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