Tag: Ayurvedic Treatment of Diabetes

July 9, 2019

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.
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October 5, 2018

Ayurvedic Ways to Control Diabetes at Home

Introduction

When the blood sugar level exceeds the normal limits, it is called Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus. This may happen due to high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia) or loss of excessive sugar in the urine (Glycosuria). It is a condition that hinder’s the body’s ability to respond to insulin, leading to abnormal metabolism of carbohydrate and thus spiking up the sugar levels. Our lifestyle and unhealthy food choices are the primary cause of diabetes.

What is Diabetes

  • Diabetes is called “Madhumehe or Maha Rog” in Ayurveda simply because if it is not treated on time, it can damage the entire body, including eyes, kidneys, sexual and urological organs and also lead to joint pains.

Diabetes herbal remedies
According To Ayurveda

  • Ayurveda provides natural ways for diabetic patients to manage their blood sugar levels and avoid the onset of any major health complication. There are some steps one can take to ensure that blood sugar levels stay within range.

Turmeric

  • The easiest way to keep diabetes under control is by increasing the intake of Turmeric in the diet. To regulate blood sugar levels, one may take a half spoon of ground bay leaf and half spoon of turmeric and mix them with aloe Vera gel or juice. This mixture should be taken two times a day, preferably before meals.
  • Ayurveda recommends spices to be added in the diet. Spices like cumin seeds, mustard, curry leaves, coriander, pepper, asafetida, tulsi, ocimum and eugenol possess anti diabetic effect. One can sue them in meals, drinks or add to the salads in order to manage diabetes naturally.

Fenugreek Seeds (Methidana)

  • It is highly recommended to consume “Methidana” in sprouted form or drink Fenugreek water on an empty stomach, to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range.
  • Fenugreek seeds have a little bitter taste if taken raw, but when sprouted, they taste pungently sweet, so they can be added onto salads and other foods. The seeds may be slightly roasted to reduce its bitterness.

Natural Tips

Consuming bitter gourd juice, aloe Vera juice, amla juice is highly beneficial for diabetic patients. It is advised to take two spoons of bitter gourd (kerela) juice once daily or mix a spoon of amla (Indian Gooseberry) to a spoon of Bitter Gourd Juice and take it twice daily.

Bitter Gourd Juice

  • Bitter Gourd should be taken as a dish/meal once a week. It influences the glucose metabolism, increases pancreatic insulin secretion and prevents insulin resistance.

How To Reverse Diabetes Naturally

Aloe Vera

  • Aloe Vera may be combined with buttermilk to help control sugar levels.

Cinnamon

  • Cinnamon is a miraculous herb in preventing and fighting diabetes. It has the ability of lowering blood sugar levels naturally.

How to Make

  • One may simply boil some cinnamon sticks in water for 20 minutes and drink the solution daily. You can also add a spoon of cinnamon powder in warm water and drink it daily. Cinnamon can be sprinkled on foods for added flavor.

Ginger Tea

  • Ginger tea is a good solution to any kind of digestive problem. It stimulates digestion and helps in reducing Kaph in the body.

Raw Garlic Cloves

  • Consuming raw garlic cloves helps in regulating blood glucose and potentially stops or lowers the effects of some diabetes complications. Garlic should be taken under medical supervision only and not in excess. Garlic helps in improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels too.

Natural Tips For Diabetic Patients

  • Drinking water that has been put in a copper vessel overnight helps in balancing the three doshes and surely helps in preventing fluctuations in sugar levels.
  • People with chronic diabetes should consume foods rich in Vitamin C like oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, cranberry, black raspberries, blueberries, kiwis and amla.  Vitamin C helps in improving blood usage levels significantly.
  • Ayurvedic recommends consumption of nuts like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, raisins, and hazelnuts as these have beneficial effects on postprandial glycemic response and helps in improving insulin resistance. Light peanut butter is also recommended for diabetic patients.
  • Unsalted seeds like flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are good for controlling sugar levels. They are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, proteins and fiber. One may also take lotus or water lily seeds (cooked or raw).
  • Ayurveda recommends “kapha pacifying diet” and include foods likesoybeans, split green gram beans, Bengal gram, Horse gram, white gram, coriander, cucumber. Chick peas, chana daal, moong daal, masoor daal, lentils, Ragi and corn are considered fine for diabetic patients. It is imperative to include more green and leafy vegetables, along with some bitter and healthy herbs.
  • Fruits with low glycemic index are advised like apples, peaches, pears, bananas, guava, papaya, jackfruit, figs, datesetc.
  • Low glycemic foods include bran cereals, oatmeal, parboiled rice, skimmed milk and dairy products from skimmed milk like low fat yogurt.
  • All bitter vegetables are advised like kale, beet greens, dandelions, pointed gourd, cluster fig, Indian fig, bitter melon etc.
  • Whole grains also effectively regulate the glycemic response, increase insulin sensitivity, improve pancreatic B cell functions and increase insulin secretion. According to Ayurveda, barley is the best grain for managing diabetes. Barley may be used in various ways like barley porridge, barley bread or chapatis etc.

Jamun

  • Jamun is considered an excellent fruit to be consumed by diabetic patients on a daily basis. Jamun and its leaves both can be used.

Foods To Avoid In Diabetes

  • It is important to watch what we are eating. There are some foods that negatively impact diabetes. It is recommended to avoid such foods like refined sugars, fried, oily foods, salty foods, red meat, alcohol, smoking, cow’s milk and curd from the diet completely.Sweet potatoes, potatoes, yams, should also be limited. Fruits like pineapples and mangoes should be taken in moderation.

Mustard Oil

  • According to Ayurveda, mustard oil is best for diabetic patients. Other oils that could be used in moderation are olive oil, canola, soybean, sesame and sunflower oils. These can be used in moderation.

lifestyle Changes & Treatment

  • Certain lifestyle changes are needed for faster recovery. These include moderate physical activity, avoid sleeping during the day.
  • The Treatment recommended by Ayurvedic doctors aims at rejuvenating the body and not just balancing the sugar levels. Managing diabetes is tough, but is no ways impossible.
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