A recent study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, has demonstrated that an online, physician-led nutrition intervention program can improve health outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes. The research shows that the program, which focuses on a plant-based diet, can effectively lower medication usage, body weight, blood sugar levels (A1C), and cholesterol.
Dr. Vanita Rahman, the study’s lead author, explained that while numerous studies have shown that a plant-based diet is beneficial for managing and improving type 2 diabetes, clinical adoption has been limited. This is largely due to challenges such as insufficient nutrition education for healthcare providers, brief office visits, and inadequate insurance coverage for nutrition interventions.
“Our study demonstrated that an online intervention, led by both physicians and dietitians, can overcome these obstacles. This approach makes it feasible for clinicians to integrate plant-based nutrition into their practice, leading to improved outcomes for patients,” Dr. Rahman said.
Accessibility meets education
The study, conducted between August 2023 and September 2024, involved 76 adults with type 2 diabetes who enrolled in the online program. The cost of the program, $399 per participant, covered 12 weekly 60-minute classes, laboratory tests for A1C and lipid levels, a digital body weight scale, and educational materials. The cost per person is comparable to typical copays for a primary or specialty care office visit.
The program included a range of educational content, from the role of nutrition in diabetes management to practical tips on grocery shopping, cooking, and dining out. Participants were guided to follow a low-fat, plant-based diet consisting of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits while avoiding animal products and minimizing high-fat plant-based foods.
Among the 58 participants who completed the program, there was an average weight loss of 3.7 kilograms (around 8 pounds), and A1C levels dropped by 0.6%. Additionally, participants who were not on lipid-lowering medications saw reductions in both total and LDL cholesterol levels. Approximately 22% of participants were able to lower their diabetes medication dosages.
A call for scalable solutions
Dr. Rahman pointed out that the increasing global prevalence of diabetes—projected to affect over 1 billion people by 2050—underlines the importance of accessible and scalable solutions like online nutrition programs. She noted that such programs could play a key role in addressing the global diabetes epidemic.
Recent studies further support the potential benefits of plant-based diets, with research indicating that they can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin needs in type 1 diabetes, lower the risk of blood clots, promote weight loss, and reduce cholesterol, among other health advantages.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that plant-based nutrition can play a key role in managing chronic conditions like diabetes.
