Erratic lifestyle and reliance on processed food lead to many ailments today. Diseases like Type 2 diabetes are often the result of lifestyle and improper diet. Studies highlight that vegans can curtail the occurrence of diabetes by 78% as compared diets containing meat and dairy. By eliminating meat from the daily diet, people who have Type 2 diabetes can better regulate their blood sugar levels. Eradicating animal fats and switching to a plant-based diet can reverse Type 2 diabetes.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Simply put, Type 2 diabetes is a disease that prevents blood cells from utilizing blood sugar or glucose efficiently for energy. Here, the cells are insensitive to insulin. It results in high blood sugar levels in the body. Other than genetics, Type 2 diabetes can be caused due to:
• High-stress levels and stress hormones
• Being obese
• A sedentary lifestyle with no exercise
• Consuming artificial sweeteners such as sugar-free foods and sodas
• Consuming excess processed foods and carbohydrates
Today, Type 2 diabetes is more common than ever. More than 21 million individuals in the United States alone suffer from this ailment. The figure has increased since 1990’s and point towards a low-quality life and health condition. Consequently, diabetes can result in stroke, heart attacks, kidney failure, and blindness as well.
Type 2 diabetes and a plant-based diet
In his book, “How Not to Die,” Dr. Michael Greger, a globally acclaimed physician, writes that Type 2 diabetes can be averted and treated. With effective lifestyle changes and diet, it can be reversed as well. According to him, when a sufferer quits meat and switches to healthy vegan foods, he or she will experience the benefits within a few days or weeks. If you know someone who wants to treat Type 2 diabetes with a plant-based diet, you may recommend him/her to browse through http://www.weganfoods.com/ for ideas on how to start the vegan diet.
Consuming vegan foods minimizes the growth of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), a vital blood protein. Diabetic patients with high levels of HbA1c have a high risk of developing other ailments associated with Type 2 diabetes. Consuming vegan foods such as organic salads and avocados helps to lower HbA1c by 0.4 to 0.7 points at an average.
Vegans can manage their weight better
Leafy greens such as broccoli, spinach, and fruits like green apples, peaches, and prunes help vegans to keep their weight under check. Obesity is considered to be the carrier of Type 2 diabetes. About 90% of obese individuals who consume meat and dairy daily are likely to develop this ailment almost overnight.
The saturated fats present in animal products result in insulin resistance. The monounsaturated fats, available in avocados and walnuts, help save a person from the harmful side effects of saturated fats. Naturally, vegan foods equip the body for managing insulin better, which keeps the blood sugar levels under control.
To cure Type 2 diabetes, a person should not substitute medications with vegan foods. The objective is to change the overall food pattern and lifestyle habits gradually. Getting introduced to a plant-based food chart under expert guidance is a good start. As the body heals of Type 2 diabetes, the person can make vegan foods his/her way of life.
