Think Eating Healthy’s a Pain? Diabetes is the Real Pain.

Diabetes can affect your quality of life in many ways—but one complication that often goes unmentioned is pain. Diabetic neuropathy commonly manifests as pain and numbness in the legs and feet, but it can damage any of the body’s nerve fibers. While pain is not a visible symptom that can be measured with blood tests or body monitors, it’s very real with limited treatment options. Fortunately, recent research suggests a low-fat, plant-based diet may hold promise for pain relief. According to a new study published by Physicians Committee researchers, a low-fat, plant-based diet may reduce the pain of diabetic neuropathy. Researchers followed 17 adults with previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes and diabetic neuropathy as they transitioned to a low-fat, vegan diet for 20 weeks. Not only did the participants lose weight, but also saw improvements in neuropathy pain and symptoms. A low-fat, plant-based diet has been shown to provide benefits beyond diabetic neuropathy—it has been shown to be just as effective as commonly prescribed medication in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. By switching to a low-fat, vegan diet, patients with diabetes may lower their blood sugar and HbA1c levels as insulin sensitivity is improved. With 29.1 million Americans suffering from diabetes, it’s crucial to consider the role of diet in both the treatment and prevention of the disease. If you don’t know where to start, check out the 21-Day Kickstart for three weeks of low-fat, plant-based recipes, as well as a shopping list and daily tips. For more information, visit PCRM.org/Diabetes.