Low‑Fat Vegan Diet Linked to 28% Lower Insulin Use in Type 1 Diabetes

A secondary analysis in adults with type 1 diabetes compared a low-fat vegan diet with a portion-controlled diet over 12 weeks.

The low-fat vegan group reduced total daily insulin dose by 28% (12.1 units/day), while the portion-controlled group was reported to have no meaningful change. The same report describes a 27% reduction in daily insulin costs in the vegan group (reported as $1.08/day), presented as changes observed over the 12-week period.

Published in BMC Nutrition, the secondary analysis drew on a 12-week randomized clinical trial comparing a low-fat vegan dietary pattern with a portion-controlled approach. As described, the low-fat vegan pattern was low in fat and did not restrict calories or carbohydrates. Within that framing, the research links the vegan assignment to lower insulin requirements and daily insulin costs than the portion-controlled comparator over the same timeframe.

Beyond the insulin-related findings, the authors attributed lower insulin requirements to improved insulin sensitivity. It also connects the secondary analysis to outcomes described as coming from the original 2024 study: mean weight loss of about 11 pounds, improved glycemic control, lower cholesterol, and improved kidney function. The analysis presents these as accompanying findings observed alongside assignment to the plant-based plan.

Key Takeaways:

• In the analysis, the low-fat vegan group was reported to have lower total daily insulin dose and lower daily insulin costs over 12 weeks, while the portion-controlled group was reported to have no meaningful change.
• The dietary pattern is described as low in fat and vegan, and as not restricting calories or carbohydrates, compared with a portion-controlled diet over the same trial duration.
• The authors’ interpretation is reported as improved insulin sensitivity, with associated findings from the linked 2024 study including weight loss, improved glycemic control, lower cholesterol, and improved kidney function.