Vegetarian Diets and the Risk of Diabetes

The search for a quality diet has grown over the past decade. Diet is considered one of the pillars for the prevention and progression of several diseases, among them: diabetes. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an epidemic of western countries that increases the vulnerability of other diseases, such as cardiovascular and cancer. T2D is associated with lifestyle and diet. The traditional Mediterranean diet has proven its benefits over several cardiovascular risk factors, and specifically on diabetes. This review compiles recent published evidence on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the incidence and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its relation with several other cardiovascular healthy diets. We will also focus on how the Mediterranean diet could play a role in T2D-related mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant compounds, glucagon-like peptide agonist compounds, and changes in gut microbiota. Each component of the Mediterranean diet could be involved in processes related to diabetes homeostasis, many of them sharing common physio-pathological pathways. The importance of this diet within the set of habits of a healthy lifestyle must be emphasized.

show abstract

“…In fact, the literature about any of the alternative diets (vegan, semi-vegetarian, etc.) is not very extensive [ 24 ].…”

Section: Mediterranean Diet and Other Healthy Diets Effects On Thementioning

confidence: 99%

Mediterranean Diet Effects on Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Disease Progression, and Related Mechanisms. A Review

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many previous studies have suggested that vegetarian diet may prevent the development of T2DM and improve insulin resistance [ 4 – 6 ]. A systematic study in Harvard T.H.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher toenail selenium is associated with increased insulin resistance risk in omnivores, but not in vegetarians

Cui

et al. 2020

Nutr Metab (Lond)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The relationship between selenium (Se) and insulin resistance remains unclear. We aim to explore the association between toenail Se levels and insulin resistance through a cross-sectional study comprising Chinese vegetarians and matched omnivores. Methods: In this study, we enrolled 220 vegetarians and 220 omnivores matched by age and sex from Shanghai. The inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method was used to measure toenail Se levels. Dietary Se intakes were assessed by the 24-h dietary recall method. Blood samples were collected to measure fasting blood glucose level and fasting insulin concentrations. Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and insulin secretion index (HOMA-B) were calculated to evaluate insulin resistance. Multi-linear regression analysis was performed to determine the association between toenail Se levels and insulin resistance, after adjusting for confounders. Results: The mean ages of vegetarians (76 vegans, 144 lacto-ovo-vegetarians) and omnivores were 35.96 ± 8.73 years and 35.23 ± 8.93 years, respectively. Of these, 180 (81.8%) were female and 40 (18.2%) were male. No association was found between toenail Se levels and insulin resistance in vegetarians. However, the concentration of Se in toenails was positively correlated with fasting insulin levels (β = 1.030, 95%CI: 0.393 to 1.667) and HOMA-IR (β = 0.245, 95%CI: 0.098 to 0.392) in omnivores, after multivariate adjustment for age, sex, BMI, alcohol consumption, income, and daily dietary intakes (energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and fiber). This positive relationship persisted only in omnivores whose dietary Se intake was above 60 μg/d. Conclusions: Higher toenail Se levels were associated with increased insulin resistance risk in Chinese omnivores whose dietary Se intake was above 60 μg/d, but not in vegetarians. These findings create awareness on the association of dietary Se intake above 60 μg/d with the risk of insulin resistance.

show abstract

“…Vegetarianism refers to a kind of diet in which animal-based foods in particular meat and poultry are mainly eliminated from the diet. Based on the type of products consumed, it is divided into veganism (merely plant-based foodstuffs are used), lacto vegetarianism (plant foods and dairy supplies consumption), lacto-ovo vegetarianism (plant foods, dairy supplies, and egg consumption), and pesco-vegetarianism (plant foods, dairy supplies, egg, and fish consumption) [ 1 2 ]. A subdivision of veganism called “raw veganism” is a diet, which consists of plant-derived foods – without any animal products – that are not exposed to heat higher than approximately 118°F [ 3 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, the literature suggests that a healthy diet leads to lower risks of many diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, most of which have been proven to be associated with certain periodontal conditions [ 6 8 9 10 ]. The majority of studies conducted on vegetarianism and its divisions have been on the body's general health [ 2 10 ]. Studies evaluating the association of vegetarianism and oral condition are scarce and their focus has been the assessment of tooth condition and salivary factors A limited number of these studies have assessed the correlation between vegetarianism and the periodontal condition [ 11 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of raw vegan diet on periodontal and dental parameters

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objectives: Macronutrients and micronutrients present in different types of diet could influence different aspects of both inflammatory and immune responses; thereby, diets could influence oral health and the periodontal condition. The raw vegan diet is a subset of vegetarianism in which only uncooked plant-derived foods are consumed. The present study's aim was to evaluate the effect of the raw vegan diet on periodontal and dental health parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 118 participants (59 raw vegans and 59 controls) were interviewed about their level of education and oral health habits. Samples of unstimulated whole saliva were collected for pH analysis, and dental and periodontal parameters were examined. Then, statistical analysis was performed. Results: Raw vegans had better oral hygiene ( P = 0.001). The decayed-missing-filling indices were relatively equal in both groups. The probing depth, bleeding on probing (BOP), and simplified oral hygiene index were significantly lower in raw vegans ( P = 0.047, P = 0.017, and P = 0.001, respectively). Multiple regression analyses disclosed that probing depth and BOP were significantly related to debris index. Conclusion: Based on this study's results, it can be presumed that the better periodontal condition in raw vegans is a result of their better oral care and lifestyle.

show abstract

Vegetarian Diets and the Risk of Diabetes

Cited by 92 publications

References 28 publications

Mediterranean Diet Effects on Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Disease Progression, and Related Mechanisms. A Review

Mediterranean Diet Effects on Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Disease Progression, and Related Mechanisms. A Review

Higher toenail selenium is associated with increased insulin resistance risk in omnivores, but not in vegetarians

Effects of raw vegan diet on periodontal and dental parameters

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About