Vegan Diet Cut Insulin Use by 28% and Insulin Costs by 27% in People With Type 1 Diabetes

A low-fat vegan diet cut daily insulin doses by 28% and insulin costs by 27% in people with type 1 diabetes, according to a new analysis of a randomised trial published in BMC Nutrition on October 14.

Researchers at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine assigned 58 adults with type 1 diabetes to either a low-fat vegan diet, with no limits on calories or carbohydrates, or a portion-controlled diet for 12 weeks. Total insulin use fell by 12.1 units a day in the vegan group and costs fell by $1.08 a day, while neither changed significantly in the portion-controlled group.

The press release puts the drop down to better insulin sensitivity, meaning the body responds better to the insulin it gets. The original trial also found the vegan group lost an average of 11 pounds (5kg) and improved their cholesterol and kidney function.

"As insulin prices continue to rise, people with type 1 diabetes should consider a low-fat vegan diet, which can help improve their insulin sensitivity and reduce the amount of insulin they need, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars a year," says lead author Dr Hana Kahleova.

People with type 1 diabetes still need insulin, and the authors say larger trials should confirm the result.

The same team found in June that a vegan diet lowers dietary acid load, and in August a German study linked plant-based eating to a 21% lower risk of death in type 2 diabetes.

Food as medicine, and a cheaper prescription too.