The Effect of Vegan Diet on Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most important diseases whose prevalence is increasing day by day. According to the statistics provided by the International Diabetes Federation, about 416 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this number is expected to reach 642 million by 2040.

Several methods have been recommended for the treatment and control of diabetes, including drug treatment, lifestyle, and diet. Diet is one of the main factors in diabetes management. A vegetarian diet is one of the diets that have been shown to play a very effective role in controlling diabetes. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Canadian Diabetes Association (EASD) have recommended the implementation of a vegetarian diet in diabetic patients by publishing new dietary guidelines.

The effects of vegetarian diet patterns in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar and preventing diseases associated with diabetes have been the focus of many studies and have been associated with positive and acceptable results.

Types of vegetarian diet

Plant-based diets are dietary patterns that include primarily unprocessed plant foods, but may also include small amounts of meat, fish, poultry, or eggs. The types of vegetarian diet are:

semi-vegetarian diet:

In this diet, a small amount of red meat and more fish, chicken and eggs are consumed.

pesco-vegetarian:

In this diet, they do not consume red meat and some fish and dairy and animal products are used.

lacto-vegetarian:

Milk and dairy products are used in this diet

ovo-vegetarian:

Eggs are used in this diet

ovo-vegetarian lacto:

Both products i.e. dairy products and eggs are used.

raw-food vegan:

In this diet, plant foods are not heated more than 46 degrees Celsius.

vegan:

Meat, eggs and dairy products are not used in this diet.

Prevention and control of diabetes with a vegetarian diet

According to epidemiological studies, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes among vegetarians is lower compared to non-vegetarians. This reduction in the risk of diabetes can be attributed to high consumption of dietary fiber, restriction of animal protein and heme iron, as well as effective weight control.

The effect of vegetarianism on blood sugar

Plant-based diets, especially vegan diets, are effective tools in glycemic control, and these diets have improved glycemic control to a greater extent than diets recommended for diabetic patients (such as carbohydrate-based diets). . Blood sugar control improves insulin response.

The level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (which is an indicator for measuring glucose in the long term) after applying a vegetarian diet is reduced by 0.29%. This reduction suggests that patients can follow a plant-based diet including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes even before taking diabetes medications.

Effect of vegetarian diet on body weight

Body weight itself is a strong risk factor for diabetes. Vegetarian diets are often lower in calories than non-vegetarian diets, which can help with weight management. Also, people who follow a vegetarian diet have a lower body mass index (BMI) than people who follow a non-vegetarian diet. Reduction of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, body mass index, reduction of waist size and hip circumference all lead to weight loss.

A healthy weight can improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of diabetes complications; So it makes sense that a plant-based diet has a big impact on health in general.

Effect of vegetarian diet on diabetes-related diseases

Improvement of cardiovascular problems

The relationship between heart disease and diabetes is so strong and proven that 60 to 70 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes die from heart problems. Eating a plant-based diet can reduce the risk of heart problems and improve type 2 diabetes at the same time.

By improving the risk factors of heart diseases, such as serum lipid, serum glucose concentration and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plant-based diets reduce the risk of mortality due to ischemic heart disease. In addition, it relieves the narrowing of arteries in patients with heart disease.

Fix diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy

The risk of neuropathic pain associated with diabetes is effectively reduced in people who consume a plant-based, vegan diet supplemented with vitamin B12. The problem of lack of vitamin B12 in the vegetarian diet, as well as the effect of metformin abuse in diabetic patients on the lack of this vitamin, increases the risk of various complications of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina), neuropathy (damage to nerves) and bone fractures. to find Therefore, the use of a vegan vegetarian diet along with vitamin B12 supplementation effectively solves the aforementioned problems.

Improve kidney problems

Applying a vegetarian diet by reducing the amount of protein consumption to 0.3 g/kg per day reduces the appropriate amount of creatinine in the blood and reduces the level of protein in the urine; Therefore, applying a vegetarian diet with a high restriction of meat consumption leads to a decrease in the probability of kidney failure.

Reducing the risk of contracting other diseases

A vegetarian diet is associated with a reduced risk of other diseases, including some types of cancer, high blood pressure, and cataracts.