A pioneering study by PCRM demonstrates the potential of online plant-based nutrition programs in managing diabetes. Researchers found significant health improvements among participants, including reduced medication use and weight loss. The 12-week program specifically targeted challenges faced by Indian patients in lifestyle modifications. These findings offer hope for addressing India's growing diabetes epidemic through accessible, structured dietary interventions.
May 15, 2025
Study claims online plant-based diet programme can help manage diabetes
"India's diabetes crisis
requires solutions that work within our healthcare realities" - Dr. Vanita
Rahman, PCRM"
A structured online nutrition
programme may address India's diabetes epidemic by removing key barriers to
dietary adherence, according to a study, led by an Indian-origin researcher.
Key Points
1 Online plant-based program
shows promising diabetes management results
2 22% participants reduced
medication dosages
3 Average weight loss of 3.7 kg
achieved through nutrition intervention
The study, led by the US-based
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), showed that participants
who followed a physician-led, plant-based nutrition programme experienced
measurable improvements in health. This included reduced medication use, body
weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
The findings offer potential
insights for India, where diabetes currently affects more than 101 million
adults, with an additional 136 million in the prediabetes stage, said the team
in the paper, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
"India's diabetes crisis
requires solutions that work within our healthcare realities," said lead
author Dr. Vanita Rahman, internal medicine physician with PCRM.
"While we've long known that
dietary changes can effectively manage diabetes, implementation has been
challenging due to limited consultation time, inconsistent follow-up, and
accessibility barriers -- particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities,"
Rahman added.
The study addressed common
challenges Indian patients face when attempting lifestyle modifications such as
accessibility; structured support; practical implementation; and consistent
follow-up.
The 12-week programme enrolled 76
adults with type 2 diabetes. Among the 58 participants who completed the
programme 22 per cent of participants reduced diabetes medication dosages;
average weight decreased by 3.7 kilograms (approximately 8 pounds); HbA1C (a
measure of blood sugar control) decreased by 0.6 per cent.
Further, the total and LDL
cholesterol levels decreased by 15 and 12 mg/dL, respectively, among
participants not taking lipid-lowering medications
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