A whole-food, plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention improves glycaemic control and reduces medications in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
A whole-food, plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention improves glycaemic control and reduces medications in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
We conducted the largest and longest clinical trial comparing a whole-food, plant-based intervention with standard medical care (SMC) in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
**Methods**
We randomised (parallel-arm; computerised 1:1 randomisation ratio) 169 adults aged 18–75 years with type 2 diabetes in the Marshall Islands to an intensive whole-food, plant-based intervention with moderate exercise (PB+Ex) or SMC for 24 weeks. The PB+Ex intervention included 12 weeks of meals, exercise sessions and group classes. Primary outcomes were glycaemic control (HbA1c, glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR) and glucose-lowering medication use. Secondary outcomes included lipids, blood pressure, heart rate and C-reactive protein. Only lab analysts were blinded.
**Results**
Compared with SMC (_n_=90 randomised; _n_=70 analysed), the PB+Ex (_n_=79 randomised; _n_=66 analysed) intervention decreased HbA1c by an additional 14 mmol/mol (1.3%) at week 12 (−22 vs −7 mmol/mol [−2.0% vs −0.7%]; _p_<0.0001) and 8 mmol/mol (0.7%) at week 24 (−16 vs −8 mmol/mol [−1.4% vs −0.7%]; _p_=0.01). Concomitantly, 63% of medicated PB+Ex participants reduced their glucose-lowering medications (vs 24%; _p_=0.006), and 23% of PB+Ex participants with a baseline HbA1c <75 mmol/mol (<9%) achieved remission. Additionally, the PB+Ex intervention reduced weight (−2.7 kg; _p_<0.0001), C-reactive protein (−11 nmol/l; _p_=0.005) and cardiovascular medication use compared with SMC. At intermediate timepoints, it improved glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides and heart rate, but not at week 24.
**Conclusions/interpretation**
A whole-food, plant-based lifestyle intervention was more effective for improving glycaemic control than SMC. It also reduced the need for diabetes and cardiovascular medications and induced diabetes remission in some participants. Therefore, it is an effective, evidence-based lifestyle option for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
This research was funded by the Department of the Army (W81XWH-05-1-0547). CJH received support through a National Institutes of Health Predoctoral T32 Obesity Fellowship (T32 HL105349).”
alphamalejackhammer on
The more we research plant-based diets, the more seems to come out about how it has reversed diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Of course it’s not profitable to advocate for this if you’re a pharmaceutical company, but it’s really the next step no one’s talking about when it comes to improving human and animal welfare.
Were these people on a relatively healthy diet before switching to plant-based diet?
lambertb on
The problem with these diet and exercise interventions is always long term adherence. It isn’t whether or not they work.
consilium_322 on
I just did it.
I went from 11% HbA1C to 5.1% in 3 months (the first test was in 29.5 with 11% HbA1C and the last was on 5.9)
Also went from like 850 trig to 430 trig
And from 266 cholesterol to 130…
All in 3 months of a really good whole food, plant-based lifestyle.
Intensive.. actually, no flour of any kind, no sugars (added sugar), and 1-2 portions of fruits a day. Mostly berries.
6 Comments
“**Abstract**
**Aims/hypothesis**
We conducted the largest and longest clinical trial comparing a whole-food, plant-based intervention with standard medical care (SMC) in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
**Methods**
We randomised (parallel-arm; computerised 1:1 randomisation ratio) 169 adults aged 18–75 years with type 2 diabetes in the Marshall Islands to an intensive whole-food, plant-based intervention with moderate exercise (PB+Ex) or SMC for 24 weeks. The PB+Ex intervention included 12 weeks of meals, exercise sessions and group classes. Primary outcomes were glycaemic control (HbA1c, glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR) and glucose-lowering medication use. Secondary outcomes included lipids, blood pressure, heart rate and C-reactive protein. Only lab analysts were blinded.
**Results**
Compared with SMC (_n_=90 randomised; _n_=70 analysed), the PB+Ex (_n_=79 randomised; _n_=66 analysed) intervention decreased HbA1c by an additional 14 mmol/mol (1.3%) at week 12 (−22 vs −7 mmol/mol [−2.0% vs −0.7%]; _p_<0.0001) and 8 mmol/mol (0.7%) at week 24 (−16 vs −8 mmol/mol [−1.4% vs −0.7%]; _p_=0.01). Concomitantly, 63% of medicated PB+Ex participants reduced their glucose-lowering medications (vs 24%; _p_=0.006), and 23% of PB+Ex participants with a baseline HbA1c <75 mmol/mol (<9%) achieved remission. Additionally, the PB+Ex intervention reduced weight (−2.7 kg; _p_<0.0001), C-reactive protein (−11 nmol/l; _p_=0.005) and cardiovascular medication use compared with SMC. At intermediate timepoints, it improved glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides and heart rate, but not at week 24.
**Conclusions/interpretation**
A whole-food, plant-based lifestyle intervention was more effective for improving glycaemic control than SMC. It also reduced the need for diabetes and cardiovascular medications and induced diabetes remission in some participants. Therefore, it is an effective, evidence-based lifestyle option for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
**Trial registration**
[ClinicalTrials.gov](http://ClinicalTrials.gov) NCT03862963
**Funding**
This research was funded by the Department of the Army (W81XWH-05-1-0547). CJH received support through a National Institutes of Health Predoctoral T32 Obesity Fellowship (T32 HL105349).”
The more we research plant-based diets, the more seems to come out about how it has reversed diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Of course it’s not profitable to advocate for this if you’re a pharmaceutical company, but it’s really the next step no one’s talking about when it comes to improving human and animal welfare.
It’s important to do this research, and maybe I missed if there was a post about the news coming out of China of stem cells curing diabetes, but it’s great to see research gains. [Here’s a link to a new article. ](https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2024/may/stem-cell-therapy-cures-man-with-type-2-diabetes-chinese-study-claims.html)
I’m extremely hopeful that the cure is true.
Were these people on a relatively healthy diet before switching to plant-based diet?
The problem with these diet and exercise interventions is always long term adherence. It isn’t whether or not they work.
I just did it.
I went from 11% HbA1C to 5.1% in 3 months (the first test was in 29.5 with 11% HbA1C and the last was on 5.9)
Also went from like 850 trig to 430 trig
And from 266 cholesterol to 130…
All in 3 months of a really good whole food, plant-based lifestyle.
Intensive.. actually, no flour of any kind, no sugars (added sugar), and 1-2 portions of fruits a day. Mostly berries.
Really important for me to give huge Thanks and credit to Dr. Michael Greger at http://www.nutritionfacts.org