Category: Diabetes Care

What Dietary Changes Can Help You Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly known as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases which is characterized by an increase in blood sugar levels over a long period of time.

Diabetes mellitus

Types of Diabetes mellitus (DM)

There are two main types of diabetes mellitus:

  • Type 1 Diabetes mellitus
  • Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

Type 1 Diabetes mellitus

  • Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition which occurs because the insulin-producing cells (beta cells) of the pancreas are damaged and produces little or no insulin. It is the most common type of diabetes in people who are under age 30, but it may occur at any age. 10% of people having diabetes are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

  • Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that affects the process of the body which metabolizes the sugar (glucose). It starts with insulin resistance, in which beta cells do not respond to insulin properly.

Sign and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

  • Frequent urination
  • Increased
  • Increased hunger
  • Feeling very tired
  • Blurry vision
  • Slow healing of cuts and wounds
  • Tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands or feet
  • Patches of dark skin
  • Itching and frequent infections (yeast infections)
  • Increased thirst
  • Unintended weight loss

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant or when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. The exact reason for type 2 diabetes mellitus is not known. It may be triggered by genetics and environmental factors, like overweight and inactivity, family history, etc.
Ayurvedic Treatment of Diabetes

(Reference: CharakSamhitachikitsasthan Chapter-6 and shloka-6)

In this shloka, the prognosis of prameha (diabetes) is explained. The vitiated Vata, Pitta and Kaphadosha gets stored in the urinary bladder and affects the urine which can produce various types of symptoms associated with diabetes.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Diabetes

Dietary Changes Can help you to manage type 2 Diabetes

  • A healthy diet helps you to protect your body from various diseases. So you need to make some dietary changes in your daily diet which helps to manage the type-2- diabetes.

Carbohydrates

  • Carbohydrates in food provide energy to the body. But carbohydrates also raise your blood sugar level. Carbohydrates can be classified into complex carbohydrates and simple sugars.
  • A complex carbohydrate is low glycemic loaded foods that can be a part of a type 2 diabetes diet plan. The complex carbohydrate contain additional nutrients such as fiber, vitamins smaller amounts of proteins and fats which helps to lower the blood sugar level.
  • Foods rich in complex carbohydrate are brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, steel-cut oatmeal, vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils.

Grains

  • Whole grains are good sources of fiber and nutrients such as brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal. They reduce the glycemic load. Whole grains are unprocessed but refined grains can be processed /milled to remove the bran and germ. For example white flour, white bread, de-germed cornmeal, and white rice.

Proteins

  • Protein has little effect on blood sugar level. Protein not only maintains blood sugar level but also helps with sugar cravings in patients of diabetes. You can get protein from both animal or plant sources. But, animal sources are considered as the sources of unhealthy saturated fats.
  • Foods that include good protein are beans, legumes, eggs, fish and seafood, organic dairy products, peas, tofu and soya foods, lean meats such as chicken and turkey.

Vegetables

Add fresh or frozen vegetables (without added sauces, fats, or salt) in your diet. Take at least 2½ to 3 cups or 450 to 550 grams vegetables a day.

Non-starchy vegetables:

  • It includes dark green and deep yellow vegetables, such as cucumber, spinach, chard, broccoli, cabbage, and bell peppers.

Starchy vegetables:

  • It includes corn, lima beans, green peas,  carrots, yams, and taro.

Fruits

  • You can eat fresh, frozen (without added sugar or syrup), or unsweetened dried fruits. It includes apples, berries,  bananas, cherries, fruit cocktail, melon, grapes, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, papaya, and raisins. You can also drink juices that contain 100% of fruit without any added sweeteners or syrups. Consume at least  240 to 320 grams of fruits per day.

Dairy products

  • Always choose low-fat milk products. Total dairy and low-fat milk products reduce risk of type 2 diabetes. For example milk, yogurt, and cheese, they do not include any added sugar.
  • Some non-fat dairy products contain a lot of added sugar. So always read the label before purchasing non- fat dairy products.

Five superfoods for Type-2- diabetic patients

Chia seeds

  • Chia seeds contain fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Chia lowers down the glycemic load of any meal, improves hunger satisfaction (satiety), and balance the blood sugar level.  You can add Chia with almond milk, cocoa, and a low-glycemic index sweetener such as agave or stevia to make a healthy pudding. Which helps with sugar craving in diabetic patients.

Wild salmon

  • Salmon is considered as a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid. It is a type 2 diabetes superfood. Wild salmon in our diet reduces inflammation, lower triglycerides, prevents obesity and manage blood glucose levels.

White balsamic vinegar

  • Vinegar helps to reduce gastric emptying, which shows beneficial effects in people with type 2 diabetes. This reduces the release of glucose into the bloodstream. Vinegar also increases hunger satisfaction, if you eat vinaigrette salad with your meal.

Cinnamon

  • Cinnamon lowers blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. One teaspoon of cinnamon per day is beneficial for diabetic patient. Cinnamon lowers both fasting and after meals blood sugar levels.

Lentils

  • Lentils are the superfood for type-2-diabetic patients. They contain important vitamins, great protein, and lots of fiber. Lentils are rich in iron, vitamin B such as folate,  balanced protein and complex carbohydrate (high in fiber), and also very versatile to cook.
  • The green and brown lentils stay firm when cooked and you can eat it as a salad. orange ones become soft when cooked and we can add them in Indian soups, curries, and dal.

Foods should be avoided in type 2 diabetic patient’s diet.

The food is restricted in Type 2 diabetic patient included unhealthy foods such as:

  • Processed carbs (white bread, pasta, chips, saltines)
  • Refined sugars (donuts, pastries, cakes, cookies, scones, sweets, candy)
  • Sodas: Both diet soda and sugar-sweetened regular soda can raise the blood sugar level.
  • High-fat dairy products: It includes whole milk, cream, ice cream, cheese.
  • High-fat animal products: It includes red meat, fatty cuts of pork, sausage, bacon.
  • Artificial sweeteners: These are mainly found in processed foods.
  • High fructose corn syrup: It is mainly found in candy, soda, packaged convenience food.
  • Highly processed foods: It includes novelty sweets, chips,  candies, kettle corn, cookies.
  • Trans fats: It includes butter spreads, some mayonnaise spreads, some salad dressings, bakery goods, and packaged sauces.

Consumption of alcohol in Type-2- diabetic patients

  • Moderate consumption of alcohol is allowed in Type-2- diabetic patients. Some research shows that two drink per day for men and one drink a day for women can reduce cardiovascular risk and doesn’t show any negative impact on diabetes. However, alcohol can reduce the blood sugar level and raise  High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol which is known as good cholesterol.

Top 10 Ayurvedic Secrets for a Healthy Life

Introduction

Top 10 Ayurvedic Secrets for a Healthy Life

Ayurveda, a holistic science that has been originated in India and a well-renowned science that has influenced the entire globe with its effective and safe treatment by its natural ways either in the form of medicines (the natural herbs) or in the form of diet and lifestyle management. As we know, in today’s era our diet and lifestyle are the major culprits for various ailments that not only affect our body but also affect our mind. All these things were analyzed thousands of years ago by our prestigious Ayurvedic scholars hence they mentioned a proper daily routine that too with respect to seasons.

Here, let us start with the secrets!

1.WAKE UP EARLY

(Reference – Ashtanga hridyam / Sutrastahanam / Dinacharyadhyam / Shloka no.1)

The meaning of this quotation goes as – Those who have the desire to achieve a healthy, long and a disease-free lifespan, they should get up in the ‘Brahma mahurta‘ (early morning). Brahma mahurta time is around 4-5 o’clock.

In fact, you are always advised by your parents to get up early, the reason behind that is to achieve a health and wealth along with a sparkle vital force that makes you active throughout the day.

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise

Even researches have shown that those who wake up early are quite intelligent and smart in their works.

2.PERFORM DAILY RITUALS TO GET RID OF TOXINS

  • It is clearly mentioned in our classics that after wake up, eliminate the toxins and debris from the body by getting rid of natural urges (Vega nivarna), brushing (dantadhavana), gargling (Gandusha), applying collyrium (Anjana karma), Nasal instillation (Nasya), etc.These regimens help you to prevent diseases if you perform them on a daily basis.

3.A FRUITFUL MASSAGE (ABHYANGA)

(Reference – Ashtanga hridyam / Sutrasthanam / Dinacharyadhyaya / Shloka no.8)

  • The meaning of this quotation goes as – Daily massaging your body with the oils, helps you to alleviate tiredness (Shrama), all the Vataja diseases, and also prevents ageing (Jara). It helps to enhance vision (drishti prasada), nourishes the body (pushti), aids sound sleep (swapna), nourishes the skin (sutwak), maintains muscle tone (dadyakrit) and provides long life (Ayu).
  • The whole body massage is recommended but especially one should massage the head region, and foot.

Avoid massage while suffering from fever, indigestion and kaphaja roga.

4.PERFORM VYAYAM (EXERCISES)

  • The best thing you can do to maintain a healthy life is–’workouts’. You can perform either Yoga or Exercise. All these things just not only make you physically healthy but also support your mental health.
  • Performing daily exercises make your body light, increase the working potential, improve digestive fire, and also improve the body built.
  • Avoid over exercise because it may lead to depletion of healthy body tissues and also avoid strenuous exercises in old age, instead of providing health it may give rise to various problems. So do exercise according to one’s capacity.

Healthy Shower

5.A HEALTHY SHOWER

(Reference – Ashtanga hridyam / Sutrasthanam / Dinacharyadhyaya / Shloka no. 16)

  • In our classics the benefits of bath are explained, they are – Improves digestive fire (deepana), enhances virility (vrushya), provides a long life (ayushya), fills energy (urja), improves strength (bala prada).
  • It also helps to alleviate – itching (kandu), debris (mala), tiredness (shrama), excessive sweating (sweda), laziness (tandra), thirst (trid), burning sensation (daha) and disease (paap – a synonym of roga).

A BALANCED AND NUTRITIOUS DIET

6.A BALANCED AND NUTRITIOUS DIET–

  • Our diet plays an important role in maintaining good health. In otherwords, the existence of our life totally depends upon our diet and this diet directly impacts our Ojas (essence of all the dhatus) which in turn boosts our immunity, hence provides a healthy lifespan.<
  • Nutritious diet should always be consumed according to one’s capacity. Prefer shadrasayuktahara ahara (a diet that includes all the tastes that nourish our body). Always consume after the digestion of previous meals and avoid overeating.
  • Your diet should be rich in all the micro and macro nutrients that do not affect your digestive fire (Agni) as agni is the prime factor that aids healthy health.

7.ADOPT SEASONAL REGIMENS

  • Every season directly impacts the panchamaubhutas, the five elements that composed the whole universe thus affects the humans as well as other creatures of the surroundings.
  • Moreover, Season variation is the peak time that affects one’s health. These climatic changes are the reason that decline our immunity and our weak immunity is the cause of the origin of various diseases in our body. We can achieve a powerful immunity by altering our dietary and lifestyle habits. Always take  diet and follow regimens according to particular Ritu (season).This will help you to attain good health.

8.NEVER SUPPRESS THE NATURAL URGES

(Reference – Ashtanga hridyam / Sutrasthanam / Rogaanutpadniya adyaye / Shloka no. 1)

  • In our classics there is a clear reference that we should never suppress the natural urges.Those urges are – Apana vata (Flatus), vin-mutra (Feces and Urine), trit (Thirst), kshuda (Hunger), nidra (Sleep), kasa (Cough), shwasa (Respiration), jrimbha(Yawning), ashru(Tears), chardi (Vomiting), retas (Sperms). Suppression may lead to accumulation of toxins inside the body which gives rise to various diseases.
  • But always try to suppress anger, grief, greed and jealous.

9.AVOID STRESS AND STRAINS

  • A major factor that gives rise to various diseases and responsible for declining health is stress. Stress and strains are the part and parcel of our life. So never consider them a burden, face them with the positive energy and tackle accordingly.

10.SATKARMA / SADVRUTTA (HEALTHY HABITS)

  • Our personality is known by our habits which directly impacts our health.Try to adopt some good habits and the wrong habits should be kept at the edge. Develop a healthy habit to drink plenty of water that helps to detoxify the body. You can devote sometime of your life in somerighteous acts. Remain positive and stay happy as happiness is the key to a good health.

GIVE SOME IMPORTANCE TO YOUR LIFE AND YOUR LOVED ONES

  • Healthy secret of living a healthy life is to give importance to your own life and share some time with your loved ones. That will ease the way of living with a healthy lifespan.
  • These regimens help  you to prevent diseases and provide a healthy life so one should try to incorporate these things in  daily routine.

Note

Moreover the main aim of Ayurveda is to maintain the health of a healthy individual i.e ‘स्वस्थस्यस्वास्थ्यरक्षणं.. So, those who have the desire to achieve long and healthy life, they should follow the rituals mentioned in Ayurveda,-a holistic incomparable andunbeatable science.

Give a try this will improve your way of living