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
Quick Diabetes Statistics Check For Awareness
In the U.S., approximately 11.3% of the population has diabetes, with 8.9% being diagnosed and 4.6% undiagnosed. About 38 million people have the condition, with over 90% of them having type 2 diabetes (T2D). The rates vary by age, race, and ethnicity, with higher rates observed in older adults, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and non-Hispanic Black individuals.
In 2021, 38.4 million people in the U.S. had diabetes, which is 11.6% of the population. 29.7 million people had been diagnosed with the condition, and 8.7 million were undiagnosed. T2D accounts for about 90-95% of all cases, while type 1 accounts for about 5-10%, according to the CDC.
Globally, 1 in 9 adults (20-79 years) is living with diabetes, with over 4 in 10 unaware they have the condition, according to the IDF Diabetes Atlas. The rates increase with age, with 29.2% of those 65 or older having the condition. A significant portion of people with diabetes are undiagnosed, with 22.8% of adults being undiagnosed.
STUDY
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 clinic program.
Adults (n = 76) with T2D 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.
RESULTS
Overall, 58 participants who completed the program (mean age 63 years; 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 medications.
CONCLUSION
In a primary care setting, a novel 12-week plant-based nutrition intervention for T2D 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 their condition; 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!
About the author: Dr. Joel Kahn is one of the world’s top cardiologists, and he is passionate about scientifically showing the body’s ability to heal itself through proper nutrition. He is on a mission to try to prevent heart disease and all future heart attacks by educating and inspiring people to follow an active and holistic lifestyle by applying cutting-edge science to their lives.
At his core, Dr. Joel Kahn believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Having practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based vegan diet that Dr. Kahn truly began to delve into the realm of non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics, and nutrition-based recovery protocols.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Content may be edited for style and length.
References/Sources/Materials provided by:
https://www.kahnlongevitycenter.com/blog/online-diabetic-nutrition-education-is-an-effective-tool
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15598276251339396
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/statistics/about-diabetes
