Vegan Diet Reduces Insulin Costs for Type 1 Diabetes
A low-fat vegan diet can help people with type 1 diabetes reduce insulin use and costs by 27%, according to research by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose entry into muscle and liver cells. Individuals with type 1 diabetes require insulin due to their body's inability to produce sufficient amounts.
Some people with type 1 diabetes may need additional insulin due to insulin resistance, a condition where cells do not respond well to insulin, causing glucose to remain in the blood. Dietary fat can exacerbate insulin resistance by inhibiting glucose entry into cells.
The research, a secondary analysis of a 2024 study, compared the effects of a low-fat vegan diet and a portion-controlled diet on insulin use and costs in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
A low-fat vegan diet that doesn’t limit calories or carbohydrates could help people with type 1 diabetes reduce insulin use and insulin costs.
Author's summary: Vegan diet cuts insulin costs by 27% for type 1 diabetes patients.