Low-fat vegan diet linked to lower insulin use in type 1 diabetes

A low-fat vegan diet that does not restrict calories or carbohydrates may help people with type 1 diabetes significantly reduce their insulin needs according to a new analysis published in BMC Nutrition.The authors attribute the reduced insulin requirement to improved insulin sensitivity, noting prior evidence that lower dietary fat intake may enhance peripheral glucose uptake.The research, conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, involved 58 adults with type 1 diabetes who were randomly assigned to a vegan (n = 29) or a portion-controlled group (n = 29) for 12 weeks. Those who followed the plant-based diet reduced their total daily insulin dose by 28%, or 12.1 units per day. In contrast, those assigned to a portion-controlled diet saw no meaningful change in insulin use.Cost of insulinBeyond the reduction in insulin doses, those in the vegan group also saw their daily insulin spending fall by 27%, or about US$1.08 per day. No significant change in insulin costs was observed among participants following the portion-controlled plan.The new analysis draws on data from a 2024 randomized clinical trial published in Clinical Diabetes, which compared a low-fat vegan eating pattern with a portion-controlled diet that included animal products.Weight lossThe earlier trial identified additional health gains tied to the plant-based approach. Participants lost an average of 11 pounds and showed measurable improvements in insulin sensitivity and overall glycemic control. Researchers also reported favourable changes in cholesterol levels and markers of kidney function.The researchers noted that the study results were important amid persistently high insulin prices in the United States. In Canada, prices are lower, but Diabetes Canada notes that out-of-pocket costs for people living with type 1 diabetes can be as high as $18,306 per year in certain parts of the country.“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,” said Dr. Hana Kahleova, lead author of both studies and director of clinical research at the Physicians Committee.

Low-fat vegan diet linked to lower insulin use in type 1 diabetes

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