At the Kahn Center, we emphasize patient education through books, blogs, podcasts, and online materials. We have seen success introducing patients to the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group (www.pbnsg.org) and the diabetes remission program from www.l-nutrahealth.com
A new study from the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, DC reports another resource for diabetes education and control. They report the results of their online cliinic program.
Adults (n = 76) with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in a self-paid, online nutrition intervention program between August 2023 and September 2024. All participants were advised to attend weekly group classes and follow a plant-based diet for 12 weeks. Body weight, medication usage, HbA1c, and cholesterol levels were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks.
Overall, 58 participants who completed the program (mean age 63years; 69% female). The mean body weight fell (−3.7 kg) and HbA1c was reduced (−0.6%) at 12 weeks. Participants not following a plant-based diet at baseline experienced greater reductions in mean body weight and HbA1c.
Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased amongst participants not taking lipid-lowering medications, and 22% of participants reduced the dosages of diabetes medications.
CONCLUSION
In a primary care setting, a novel 12-week plant-based nutrition intervention for type 2 diabetes was accessible, economically viable, and led to reductions in diabetes medications, body weight, HbA1c, and total and LDL cholesterol levels.
Each 60-minute class was led by a physician and a registered dietitian and included education about nutrition’s role in diabetes; information on plant-based eating; practical tips for grocery shopping, cooking, and dining out; and opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring and support.
All participants were asked to consume a low-fat plant-based diet composed of whole grains, vegetables, legumes, and fruits with no restriction on calorie intake, while excluding all foods containing animal products and minimizing the intake of high-fat plant-based foods.
The lead author said that "More than 1 billion people globally are expected to be living with diabetes in 2050, but online nutrition intervention programs are an effective way for clinicians to reach many patients at once and educate them about the power of plant-based nutrition to improve their condition and hopefully stem the worldwide diabetes epidemic".
At the Kahn Center, we will continue to make education, via all media, an essential component of all clinic visits. Knowledge, when applied, is powerful medicine!
