The VVF’s D-Diet – it’sLife Changing
Diabetic case studies report lower blood pressure, weight loss and reduced medication, reports Veronika Charvatova MSc, VVF Health Campaigner
In July 2011, Viva!’s sister charity, the Vegetarian & Vegan Foundation (VVF), launched a groundbreaking campaign – The Big-D– aimed at people with, or at risk of developing, diabetes and health professionals working in that field. At the heart of the campaign is the D-Diet– a low-fat,
wholesome, healthy vegan diet which takes a new approach to the condition. It helps the body to reduce the amount of fat stored in its cells, which causes insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics. It also improves blood sugar control, reduces blood cholesterol, contributes to weight loss without restricting portion sizes, prevents additional kidney and nerve damage and helps to lower blood pressure. Quite a list – but does it work? We
bring you our first two case studies of diabetics who tried the D-Dietand the results are amazing.
Case study 2: Andrew Wedge
Case study 1: Peter Scott
Peter Scott, 55, of Preston in Lancashire, who has been diabetic for several years, says: "After being diagnosed, I became a typical example of metabolic
syndrome – fat around the middle, high BMI, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. I had no energy, would cough a lot despite not smoking and didn't sleep well. But then I heard about the D-Diet and everything slowly began to change. “After four weeks on the diet, my blood pressure started to fall
towards normal levels. After a month, all my blood readings were approaching, or within, normal ranges. After eight weeks I've lost 21 lbs., I feel fitter, I sleep well, I wake up more quickly even without coffee and I've stopped coughing, probably because I no longer drink milk."
Just two successful cases but with a common cause – the D-Diet. It is a diet that contains only foods from plant sources, a minimum of oils and is rich in foods with a low glycemic index. It follows that it is based on whole grains, pulses, soya products, vegetables, fruit and nuts and seeds. Whilst it limits the types of food eaten, it does not limit how much of those foods you can eat. Being high in fibre and digested gradually, these foods make you feel full sooner and for longer. Calorie intake is reduced by the small amount of fat it contains.
24 viva!life It is backed by science and the research
shows that diabetics who follow a vegan regime such as the D-Dietcan expect better results than any single drug can produce. If you have diabetes or know someone who does, we have a range of materials available that make following the D-Diet easy. See
www.vegetarian.org.uk/diabetes and download the materials for free or order paper copies on 0117 970 5190 , (Mon-Fri 9-6). You can also email VVF at
info@vegetarian.org.uk.
Another diabetic, Andrew Wedge, 43, of Salford in Greater Manchester, shares Peter’s experience: “It is just over three months since I stopped
taking metformin and pioglitazone medication. I have since been for my HbA1c check and the results indicated good control of the condition. As of today I am a little over a stone lighter than before I started the diet; the weight was lost during the first four weeks and has stayed off.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48