Every year millions of men and women are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and a good number are going to die from complications, including kidney failure. While there are already different types of treatment available, including medications, a new study suggests that the ultimate cure is in a person's diet.
Researchers from Japan and the United States, including Dr. Neal Barnard of George Washington University School of Medicine, pointed out that, based on their analyses on many studies about eating a vegetarian diet and insulin sensitivity, a diet that's purely plant based can dramatically reduce blood sugar and may eventually cure the patient of the disease in the long term.
A diet that's heavy on fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains, can effectively lower a key protein in the blood known as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). In a diagnostic test, if HbA1c is high, it means the person is showing signs of insulin resistance. According to researchers, a vegetarian and vegan diet can bring this down.
Fiber, which is prominent in a plant-based diet, can also help in slowing down the build-up of glucose in the bloodstream, preventing extreme fluctuations or spike of blood sugar that can cause a person to feel dizzy or extremely hungry.
This type of diet shares the same effect as the common drugs for diabetes that are available in the market especially when it comes to breaking down the carbohydrates.
Moreover, a plant-based diet can help in weight loss. Many studies have already proven the direct relationship between obesity and the high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The doctors also laud the simplicity of the diet. According to them, as long as the patient doesn't eat any type of meat, they can consume as much vegetables, fruits, and whole grains as they want. They also don't need to count calories.
