The Efects of a Plant-Based Diet on Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a global epidemic that has unfortunately been significantly increasing in the number of cases annually. It is currently the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. It leads to many further complications, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy, and kidney failure.With the increase in Western dietary patterns, there has been a subsequent rise in obesity and diabetes. In fact, type 2 diabetes makes up 90% of diabetes cases. It is, in most cases, preventable with lifestyle changes and weight loss.This book aims to look at the option of a plant-based diet as a means of prevention and treatment for type 2 diabetes.Based on an analysis of a low-fat, plant-based diet compared to current conventional type 2 diabetes treatments, there is evidence that a vegan diet increases insulin sensitivity, decreases body weight, lowers cardiovascular risk factors, and decreases the need for oral antidiabetic therapies.In this book, a review of the efficacy of a plant-based diet for treating and preventing type 2 diabetes is discussed in-depth.