A recent 16-week clinical trial has shown that a low-fat vegan diet can significantly benefit adults with type 2 diabetes by reducing liver and abdominal fat and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Conducted by researchers from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in collaboration with Yale School of Medicine, this study was notable for being the first to simultaneously assess liver fat, muscle fat, visceral fat, and tissue advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in this population.
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Participants in the study, who followed a low-fat vegan diet without any calorie counting or portion control, experienced an average weight loss of 6.0 kg (6.6%), primarily due to a reduction in fat mass of 4.2 kg. Notably, visceral fat volume decreased by 290 cm³, and hepatocellular lipid content, a contributing factor to insulin resistance, declined by 33%.
Additionally, there were significant reductions in the accumulation of AGEs, which are linked to insulin resistance and damage to beta cells. The study reported improvements in insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity, with multiple markers of pancreatic beta-cell function showing notable enhancement. Moreover, participants observed an HbA1c reduction of 1.0 percentage point, along with declines in both total and LDL cholesterol levels.
Lead author Dr. Hana Kahleova noted that this research underscores the potential of dietary changes as a form of treatment for diabetes. By eliminating the need for calorie counting, the approach to healthy eating becomes more sustainable, potentially leading to lasting metabolic improvements.