ABSTRACT
Low-fat vegan diets have proven highly effective for prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes, as well as in reducing cardiovascular risk factors. In observational studies, vegan diets are associated with healthier body weights and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes than other dietary patterns. In randomized trials, low-fat vegan diets rapidly improve glycemic control and reduce body weight, plasma lipids, and blood pressure. At the cellular level, such diets have been shown to reduce intramyocellular and hepatocellular lipid, key drivers of insulin resistance. In clinical settings, vegan diets are relatively easy to prescribe and maintain as they do not require limiting calories, carbohydrates, or portions and produce results that reward continued adherence.
