A new study suggests that a structured, physician-led online program focused on a plant-based diet could be an effective tool in managing type 2 diabetes in India. The research, conducted by the U.S.-based Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and led by Indian-origin researcher Dr. Vanita Rahman, highlights significant health improvements among participants, including weight loss, lower blood sugar, reduced cholesterol, and decreased reliance on diabetes medications.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, are particularly relevant to India, where over 101 million adults are living with diabetes, and an additional 136 million are in the prediabetic stage.
“India’s diabetes crisis demands solutions that are both effective and accessible within the constraints of our healthcare system,” said Dr. Rahman, an internal medicine physician at PCRM. She pointed out the challenge of implementing dietary changes effectively due to limited consultation time, inconsistent follow-ups, and lack of access to healthcare, especially in smaller cities.
The 12-week program was designed to overcome these barriers by providing a fully virtual platform with continuous medical guidance, structured support, and practical tools for participants to make sustainable dietary changes.
The study enrolled 76 adults with type 2 diabetes, with 58 participants completing the program. Among them, 22% were able to reduce their diabetes medication. On average, participants lost 3.7 kilograms (approximately 8 pounds), and their HbA1c levels—a key indicator of blood sugar control—dropped by 0.6 percentage points.
Furthermore, participants not on lipid-lowering medications experienced a reduction in total cholesterol by 15 mg/dL and LDL (bad) cholesterol by 12 mg/dL.
Dr. Rahman emphasized that these results are especially promising in the Indian context, where plant-based and vegetarian diets are deeply ingrained in cultural traditions. “With simple adjustments, like reducing fat content and focusing on whole, minimally processed foods, this approach can be easily adapted to Indian households,” she said.
This study offers a potential solution to the growing diabetes crisis in India, providing an accessible, online intervention that aligns with traditional dietary practices while promoting better health outcomes for individuals managing type 2 diabetes.
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