Vegetarian Era

Vegetarian Therapy Brings Good News
for Diabetes Patients

by the U. S. A. News Team

According to an August 27, 1999 report by the U.S. newspaper, Michigan News, Georgetown University has attained preliminary evidence through medical research that vegetarian therapy produces great improvement in diabetic conditions. Two-thirds of the patients in a Georgetown study were found to have quit or needed less medicinal intake at the end of the study. Although doctors participating in the research conceded that it was a small-scale study, they pointed out that the results were far better than those produced by traditional diet therapy.

The eleven volunteers in the study found that after they had switched to a vegetarian diet, their blood glucose levels dropped significantly, while their body weights decreased an average of sixteen pounds (approx. 7.26 kg) by the end of twelve weeks. Their main diet included cereals, vegetables, beans, and fruit. No limitation was imposed on caloric intake. "Ever since I switched to the vegetarian therapy, I have not had to take any medicine," said one participant.

According to Dr. Bernard, who took part in this preliminary research, diabetic patients are susceptible to cardiovascular diseases and stand a higher risk of getting kidney disease or losing their eyesight than others in the population. This new therapy was found to provide better protection against the potential development of these illnesses than any other recommended diet in the past. Dr. Bernard said that more extensive research would be conducted to support the finding that the vegetarian diet is one of the most effective therapies for diabetes. However, he also stressed that in addition to changing eating habits, patients must also do appropriate exercise to enhance the effect of the vegetarian diabetic treatment.