For years medical research studies continue to confirm that a high percentage of people with Type 2 diabetes can control or eliminate diabetes risks and discontinue medication within three weeks by adopting a low-fat no-fat, plant based diet and regular daily exercise. (Anderson, JW and Ward, K: High Carbohydrate, High fiber diets for insulin-treated men with diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr, 1979; 32:2312-21. Clarence S. Ing, MD, MPH).
While doctors have long known that weight loss can assist in the control diabetes, there is now a growing body of scientific evidence/studies that shows type 2 diabetes can be completely reversed in animals by cutting dietary fat. Moreover, the findings suggest that reducing fat, not just weight, is a primary mechanism behind the reversal. (Richard Surwit, PhD et al, September ’98 Metabolism. Duke University).
Life Style programs in which type 2 diabetes patients eat a low-fat or no-fat plant based diet and exercise daily, are experiencing similar successes in managing and reversing diabetes. One major key is staying the course, resilience with a new life-style. Completing a program is one thing but sticking to it quite another………..For the many who do they are completely off all insulin and medication and are maintaining a normal blood sugar level.
- 80% with diabetic neuropathy have little or no more pain in their feet and hands.
- 80% of men have normal blood pressure without medication.
- 25% drop in cholesterol is common.
- 35% increase in exercise capacity occurs.
(Crane, MG and Sample, C: Regression of diabetic neuropathy with total vegetarian (vegan) diet. J Nutr Med 1994; 4:431-439). Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by changes in Lifestyle among subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. N Engl J Med 2001;344:1343-1350,1390-1391 J. Tuomelehto and others (study done in Finland). Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by changes in Lifestyle NEJM 30Aug2001 Vol345#9. Diet, Lifestyle, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Women NEJM 13Sept2001 Vol345#11 lead author F.B.Hu and others (this is the Harvard study otherwise called Diabetes Prevention Trial where they found lifestyle changes prevented DM2 by 58% within 3 years compared to “physiological medication” Metformin that prevented DM2 only 31%. Dr. Nathan, professor of medicine at Harvard is quoted as saying “Lifestyle was significantly better than metformin, no question about it.”
The growing body of clinical studies leaves little doubt that each of us holds, the most important key in our personal “Health Care” that key is directly related to how we live and what we eat…………
M. E. Hutchinson Executive Director Omega Wellness Group, Topsham, Maine