Last updated August 21, 2026
Key finding
Body weight change with the intervention was -6.4 kg (95% CI -9.4 to -3.4, P <0.001).
This pilot study evaluated the effects of a low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplementation on painful diabetic neuropathy. Results indicated significant improvements in body weight and neuropathy symptoms.
Quick read
The essential study design details in one scan.
EvidenceScore™
Moderate
Study type
RCTs
Follow-up
Long-Term (1–5 y)
Risk of bias
Some Concerns
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Plain-language summary
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Study focus
This pilot study evaluated the effects of a low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplementation on painful diabetic neuropathy. Results indicated significant improvements in body weight and neuropathy symptoms.
These findings highlight the potential of dietary interventions as a non-pharmacological approach to managing painful diabetic neuropathy, a common complication of diabetes that significantly impacts quality of life. By improving symptoms and reducing body weight, such interventions may enhance patient outcomes and reduce reliance on medications.
Small sample size limits generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. Lack of blinding could introduce bias in reporting outcomes.
Published in
Publication details and source links for this paper.
A EB, C LW, J G, U A, E B, N DB. Dietary intervention for painful diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled pilot study. Nutrition & Diabetes. 2015;5(5). doi:10.1038/nutd.2015.8
Body weight decreased by an average of -6.4 kg (P <0.001).
Electrochemical skin conductance improved by 12.4 microseimens (P =0.03).
Pain levels decreased by -8.2 points on the McGill pain questionnaire (P =0.04).
Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument scores decreased by -1.6 points (P =0.03).
Evidence network
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This study contributes evidence to Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement and Body weight, Change in Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score, Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot, and 1 more.
This study contributes evidence to
Primary intervention
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement
Primary outcomes
Evidence topics
Primary intervention
Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.
Editorial context
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Evidence network role
This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.
1
Related topics
4
Evidence pairs
376
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Contributes evidence
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Primary evidence
Evidence topic
matched_outcome
Core evidence
The primary outcomes reported in this study.
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Body weight
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Body weight
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Change in Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Change in Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Pain severity measured by Simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement → Pain severity measured by Simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)
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Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.
This study contributes to evidence on Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement and Body Weight, Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement and Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot.
This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.
Diet and Nutrition
Diet and Nutrition
Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.
All studies measuring Body Weight
Measures Body Weight as a key outcome.
All studies measuring Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot
Measures Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot as a key outcome.
All studies on Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement
Contributes to Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement evidence base.
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1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
1 results
Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement appears to affect body weight.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Body weight
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement appears to improve change in michigan neuropathy screening instrument score.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Change in Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument score
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement appears to improve improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot.
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Improvement in electrochemical skin conductance in the foot
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
Low-fat plant-based diet with vitamin B12 supplement appears to improve pain severity measured by simplified mcgill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ).
ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.
Ranked evidence signals
Pain severity measured by Simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ)
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | strong positive | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study
Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.
Limitations
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