A research conducted by the Doctors from Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), USA, proved the efficacy of low-fat vegetarian diet in reversing blood sugar levels of people with type II diabetes. “The westernization of the diet has played a major role in the diabetes epidemic. America should Easternize its own diet. If Americans learn to eat dal, rice, and palak, they would be slimmer and healthier,” said Dr Neal Barnard president of CRM.

A controlled study of 99 diabetic patients by PCRM —funded by the government of USA — proved that eating vegetarian food, excluding milk products, cooked in less oil can show reverse trends by bringing down blood sugar level, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight in people and especially in patients suffering with diabetes type II.

As against the current approach where doctors advice diabetic patients to cut down on carbohydrates, calories and fat, Dr Barnard suggests people with type II diabetes to shift to vegan diet. According to him, the results would be visible as early as in the first week.

“The results of switching over to vegan diet would be visible in the very first week. The person will experience weight loss followed by drop in the blood sugar level. The blood pressure will also get normal within six weeks,” said Dr Barnard. According him, combination of organic food and medication works the best for the patients.

“It is very difficult to switch over to vegetarian diet all of a sudden. But, doctors should encourage patients to try out new vegetarian recipes and help them to develop a taste of it,” said Dr Barnard.