A small clinical study suggests that a low-fat, plant-based diet could help some people with type 1 diabetes use less insulin and improve how their bodies respond to it.
Published in BMC Nutrition, the randomized, 12-week trial compared a low-fat vegan diet with a portion-controlled diet among adults with type 1 diabetes. Participants on the vegan diet reduced their daily insulin use by about 28%, while those following the portion-controlled plan saw no significant change. Insulin costs also fell by about 27%, or roughly a dollar a day, for those in the vegan group.
The researchers, from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit that promotes plant-based diets and preventive medicine, say the improvements likely reflect better insulin sensitivity, how effectively the body uses insulin to move glucose from the blood into cells for energy.
“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,” said Hana Kahleova, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee.
The team notes that insulin resistance, when cells don’t respond properly to insulin, is influenced by dietary fat. High levels of fat in the diet can make it harder for insulin to work effectively, keeping blood sugar levels elevated. A diet emphasizing fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes may help counter that effect, the researchers say.
However, experts caution that this was a short-term, secondary analysis with a small sample size and results may not apply to all people with type 1 diabetes. The researchers also emphasize that a vegan diet cannot replace insulin therapy, which remains essential for managing the condition.
The study adds to ongoing research into how nutrition affects diabetes management. Previous trials have found that plant-based diets may improve blood sugar control and cardiovascular health in people with type 2 diabetes, though long-term evidence for type 1 diabetes is still limited.
This study was funded by the Institute for Technology in Healthcare and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, which also conducted the research.