A new study published in BMC Nutrition suggests that a low-fat vegan diet may significantly reduce daily insulin requirements for people living with type 1 diabetes potentially lowering treatment costs as well.
The research, a 12-week randomized clinical trial, compared adults following a low-fat vegan diet with those on a conventional portion-controlled diet. Participants in the vegan group experienced a notable reduction in daily insulin use, averaging a decrease of more than 12 units per day. In contrast, the portion-controlled group showed no meaningful change.
Beyond insulin dosage, the study also examined financial implications. Researchers found that participants following the vegan diet saw an estimated 27% reduction in insulin-related costs, while costs in the comparison group remained largely unchanged.
Type 1 diabetes requires lifelong insulin therapy, and insulin expenses can be a significant burden for many patients. The findings suggest that dietary strategies, particularly plant-based approaches may serve as supportive tools in improving metabolic outcomes and reducing healthcare expenses.
However, the researchers caution that larger and longer-term trials are needed to confirm the results and determine sustainability. The study was published by Springer Nature as an open-access article, allowing full public access to the findings.
While dietary changes should always be made under medical supervision, this study adds to growing evidence that nutrition plays a powerful role in diabetes management.
