Online plant-based diet prog improves diabetes mgmt: Study

Plant-based nutrition programme experienced measurable improvements in health—including reductions in medication use, body weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

A new study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine demonstrates how a structured online nutrition programme could address India’s diabetes epidemic by removing key barriers to dietary adherence.

The study, led by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), showed that participants who followed a physician-led, plant-based nutrition programme experienced measurable improvements in health—including reductions in medication use, body weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.

The findings offer potential insights for India, where diabetes currently affects more than 101 million adults, with an additional 136 million in the prediabetes stage.

“India’s diabetes crisis requires solutions that work within our healthcare realities,” said Dr Vanita Rahman, MD, the study’s lead author and internal medicine physician with PCRM. “While we’ve long known that dietary changes can effectively manage diabetes, implementation has been challenging due to limited consultation time, inconsistent follow-up, and accessibility barriers—particularly in tier-II and tier-III cities.”

The study addresses common challenges Indian patients face when attempting lifestyle modifications:

• Accessibility: All sessions were conducted online, eliminating transportation barriers common in congested urban centres and remote areas
• Structured support: Weekly sessions with a physician, dietitian, and other programme participants helped build accountability and provided essential support, often missing in traditional doctor visits
• Practical implementation: Participants were provided with actionable guidance, including grocery lists, meal plans, recipes, and cooking techniques
• Consistent follow-up: Regular check-ins maintained motivation, unlike typical scenarios where patients see doctors once in every 3-6 months

The 12-week programme enrolled 76 adults with type 2 diabetes. Among the 58 participants who completed the programme:

• 22 per cent of participants reduced diabetes medication dosages
• Average weight decreased by 3.7 kilograms (approximately 8 pounds)
• HbA1C (a measure of blood sugar control) decreased by 0.6%
• Total and LDL cholesterol levels decreased by 15 and 12 mg/dL, respectively, among participants not taking lipid-lowering medications

“These results are especially relevant in the Indian context, where vegetarian and plant-forward dietary habits are already part of cultural norms. With simple adaptations to lower fat content and focus on whole foods, these interventions can be easily incorporated within Indian households,” noted Dr. Rahman.

“While the study was conducted in the US, its online format and focus on practical implementation offers a blueprint that Indian healthcare providers could readily adapt,” Dr Rahman added. Such a physician-led programme can be easily implemented in clinical and hospital settings across India, and lead to significant improvements in diabetes management. By integrating nutrition education into routine care and empowering support staff to conduct regular follow-ups, hospitals and clinics can enhance patient outcomes while decreasing costs.

Public sector support can further strengthen such a model by making this low-cost intervention available at a population level. The physician-led programme can also be offered in the corporate setting and lead to improvements in employee health and productivity.