Switching to a low-fat vegan diet enabled people with type 1 diabetes to reduce their daily insulin intake by 28%, as well as lower their expenses and improve weight and cholesterol levels.

The Impact of a Low-Fat Vegan Diet on Type 1 Diabetes

A study conducted by specialists from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and published in BMC Nutrition found that a low-fat vegan diet, without restricting calories or carbohydrates, can help patients with type 1 diabetes reduce their insulin use and related costs.

Insulin is a hormone that helps move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle and liver cells, where it is used for energy. People with type 1 diabetes do not produce enough insulin, so they need to receive it externally. Additionally, some patients develop insulin resistance—meaning their cells stop responding properly to insulin, causing glucose to remain in the blood. Dietary fats play a significant role in the development of insulin resistance, as they can hinder the effective absorption of glucose into cells.

Comparing Diets: Vegan vs. Portion-Controlled

This new study is a secondary analysis of a 2024 project by the Physicians Committee. Researchers compared two approaches: a low-fat vegan diet and a portion-controlled diet, to see how each affected insulin use and related expenses in people with type 1 diabetes.

Participants who followed the vegan diet reduced their daily insulin dose by 28% (or 12.1 units per day). In the portion-control group, there were no significant changes. The researchers attribute the reduced insulin requirement to improved insulin sensitivity, meaning the body became more responsive to insulin.

Economic Benefits and Additional Advantages

Insulin expenses also decreased in the vegan group: daily costs dropped by 27% (or $1.08 per day), while the portion-control group saw virtually no change.

The original 2024 study also noted other benefits of a plant-based diet. On average, participants lost 5 kg, improved their insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, lowered cholesterol levels, and saw better kidney function.

Relevance Amid Rising Insulin Prices

The study’s results were published against the backdrop of persistently high insulin prices in the United States. According to the American Diabetes Association, national insulin expenditures have tripled over the past decade, reaching $22.3 billion in 2022. The main drivers of this increase are higher consumption and rising prices. Adjusted for inflation, insulin costs rose by 24% from 2017 to 2022.

Dr. Hana Kahleova, lead author of the study and Director of Clinical Research at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, notes: “As insulin prices continue to rise, people with type 1 diabetes should consider a low-fat vegan diet, which can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the amount needed—potentially saving hundreds of dollars a year.”

About the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985. It focuses on preventive medicine, clinical research, and raising ethical and scientific standards in education and science.