Diabetes Research

Low-Fat Vegan Diet Rivals Oral Diabetes Medications in Federally Funded Study; Study Participants to Describe Their Experiences at Briefing with Researchers with George Washington University and University of Toronto

WASHINGTON—A low-fat vegan diet treats type 2 diabetes more effectively than a standard diabetes diet and may be more effective than single-agent therapy with oral diabetes drugs, according to a study in the August issue of Diabetes Care, a journal published by the American Diabetes Association. Study participants on the low-fat vegan diet showed dramatic improvement in four disease markers: blood sugar control, cholesterol reduction, weight control, and kidney function. The randomized controlled trial was conducted by doctors and dieticians with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), the George Washington University, and the University of Toronto with funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation.

The vegan diet represents a major departure from current diabetes diets, in that it placed no limits on calories, carbohydrates, or portions. “The diet appears remarkably effective, and all the side effects are good ones—especially weight loss and lower cholesterol,” says lead researcher Neal D. Barnard, M.D., PCRM president and adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University. “I hope this study will rekindle interest in using diet changes first, rather than prescription drugs.” Diabetes rates have climbed rapidly in recent years, and more than 20 million Americans now have the disease, which is linked to kidney failure, blindness, and cardiovascular disease.

Journalists seeking interviews with the researchers and participants should contact Jeanne McVey at 202-686-2210, ext. 316, or jeannem@pcrm.org.

The study authors include the following:

Neal D. Barnard, M.D., lead researcher, PCRM president, and adjunct associate professor of medicine at the George Washington University

Joshua Cohen, M.D., associate professor of medicine, the George Washington University Medical Center

David Jenkins, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Canada research chair in nutrition and metabolism, University of Toronto

The study participants include the following:

Nancy Boughn is a study participant. Until she tried the intervention diet, Ms. Boughn's diabetes was worsening and not responding to intensified drug therapy. During the course of the study she dropped about 42 pounds and was able to discontinue one of the medications.

Vance Warren is a study participant and former police officer who lives in the District of Columbia. In response to the intervention diet, Mr. Warren's high blood sugar plunged rapidly into the normal range, and he dropped about 60 pounds.

Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (pcrm.org) is a nonprofit health organization that promotes preventive medicine, especially good nutrition. PCRM also conducts clinical research studies, opposes unethical human experimentation, and promotes alternatives to animal research.