Category: Diabetic Neuropathy

10 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

What is Diabetic Neuropathy?

Diabetic Neuropathy is one of the most common yet serious complications of Diabetes disease. Diabetes develops due to the inability of the body to produce a sufficient amount of insulin for processing the sugars present in the blood.

People affected by Diabetic Neuropathy suffer from a kind of nerve damage that can result from Diabetes.

The occurrence of Diabetic Neuropathy is, therefore, linked to the high levels of blood sugar (glucose) in the body. As a result, the nerves throughout the body get injured or damaged. In most cases, Diabetic Neuropathy affects the nerves in the legs and feet; causing pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation.

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic Neuropathy is mainly of four types:

Peripheral Neuropathy:

It is the most common type of Diabetic Neuropathy that first affects the feet and legs, then the hands and arms.

Autonomic Neuropathy:

It affects the autonomic nervous system which controls the heart, eyes, bladder, stomach, intestines, and sex organs.

Radiculoplexus Neuropathy:

It affects the nerves in the thighs, hips, buttocks or legs; and occurs mostly in Type 2 Diabetes patients and older adults.

Mononeuropathy or Focal Neuropathy

It affects the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord and may affect any part of the body such as leg, the middle part of the body (torso), etc.

Causes of Diabetic Neuropathy

It is generally believed that uncontrolled high blood sugar can lead to Diabetic Neuropathy, causing damage to the nerves and disrupting their ability to transmit signals to the body parts.

The nerve damage, which is a key characteristic of Diabetic Neuropathy, is caused by a combination of factors. These factors include:

  • Diabetes (or high blood sugar level)
  • Genetic factors related to Diabetes
  • Nerve inflammation caused by an autoimmune response
  • Obesity
  • Kidney disease
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol intake.;

Symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy

The symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy may be mild in some cases, but painful or debilitating in others. The common symptoms associated with the condition in general are:

  • Pain and numbness in  legs and feet
  • Tingling in the lower part of legs or feet
  • Burning sensation in hands/feet
  • Increased sensitivity to touch
  • Muscles weakness
  • Loss of sensation in the lower legs and feet
  • Loss of reflexes, particularly in the ankle
  • Change in the bone structure in the feet
  • Loss of balance and coordination
  • Serious foot problems, like ulcers, infections, and pain in joints/bones.

Some other symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy, depending on the type of ailment, usually include problems related to the digestive system, urinary tract disorders, blood vessels, heart weight loss, pain in lower back or pelvis, chest/abdomen pain, eyesight problems, and paralysis on one side of the face.

Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy

10 Natural Remedies for Diabetic Neuropathy=

Proper diet, healthy lifestyle, and tight blood sugar control form the core of Natural Treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy. Diabetic patients, in particular, can effectively Manage Diabetic Neuropathy, by keeping their blood sugar levels in check.

If you are suffering from Diabetic Neuropathy, you should try the following 10 natural remedies:

Balanced diet

You should eat a healthy and balanced diet to balance the blood sugar levels and manage nerve damage resulting from Diabetic Neuropathy. Such a diet should include non-starchy vegetables, a moderate quantity of fruits, lean proteins, complex carbohydrates like whole-grain bread/pasta and oatmeal, and good fats like those from olive oil, nuts, or fish.

Foods rich in Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a nutrient that plays an important role in maintaining the normal function of the nervous system. Hence, you should increase the intake of Vitamin B12-rich foods like dairy products, eggs, red meat, organ meat in small quantities, shellfish, breakfast cereals containing B12, and nutritional yeast that has B12.

Mega-3 fatty acids

A diet with an abundance of Omega-3 fatty acids can help you manage the symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy naturally as they are important fats that can lower the risk of heart disorders. An increase in the levels of Omega-3 fatty acids is believed to be beneficial for the membranes of nerves affected due to Diabetic Neuropathy.

Turmeric

The use of turmeric is also helpful in managing Diabetic Neuropathy. Turmeric has a component called ‘Curcumin’ which is known for its ability to modulate pain sensations, suppress inflammation, manage the pain resulting from nerve damage, and prevent oxidative damage to nerves.

Black pepper

Black pepper is also an effective natural remedy for Diabetic Neuropathy. It contains a chemical called ‘Capsaicin,’ which has the capability to stimulate the nerves that signal pain. The typical application of creams containing Capsaicin can reduce chronic neuropathic pain by desensitizing the nerves to pain.

Ashwagandha’ herb

The Ashwagandha herb (Withania Somnifera) can keep your Diabetes in control, thereby managing the Diabetic Neuropathy symptoms in a natural manner. Taking a small amount of Ashwagandha with milk can lower blood glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance. It can also provide relief from the burning and tingling sensation in hands/feet.

Regular Exercise routine

To manage Diabetic Neuropathy naturally and to stay healthy, it is essential that you should increase your physical activity by doing moderate exercise on a regular basis. Exercise can improve the flow of blood in the body, thereby providing oxygen and nutrients to the legs.

Control your Diabetes

It is difficult to manage Diabetic Neuropathy unless you control your Diabetes by ensuring that your blood sugar levels are within your target range. For keeping the blood sugar levels in check, you should plan your meals properly, do exercise, and try meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress.

Look after your feet

Taking proper care of the feet can reduce the complication of Diabetic Neuropathy. If you are prone to foot problems, you must keep your feet clean, moisturize them to avoid cracks, use covered footwear to protect against injuries, and get your feet examined regularly for preventing callus formation, cuts/breaks, and lesions.

Quit Smoking

If you want to manage Diabetic Neuropathy, you must quit smoking because it affects blood circulation. Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy, causing the narrowing of blood vessels, increase pain/numbness, and increase the risk of foot problems reacted to the condition.

Conclusion

Overall, managing blood sugar levels with the help of some dietary and lifestyle changes is the most important Natural Treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy. However, depending on the type of Diabetic Neuropathy you suffer from, it is advisable to consult an expert Ayurveda practitioner to benefit effectively from the natural remedies.

7 Reasons Why You Should Start Eating Karela (Bitter Gourd)

How to Reverse Diabetes NaturallyOverview

Bitter Gourd (Karela) is also known as Balsam Pear or Bitter Melon. It is also called Momordica charantia and is a climbing shrub that grows in tropical climate. It belongs to the same plant family as cucumbers, pumpkin and squash. It is despised for its bitter taste but is considered one of the best foods to be consumed because of its various health benefits. Bitter Gourd is not a vegetable but a fruit as the part of the plant that is used for consumption and for medicinal purpose.

Bitter Gourd is packed with nutrients ranging from iron, magnesium, calcium, beta carotene, vitamin c and potassium. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber. It is a good source of Omega 6 fatty acid, linoleic acid, and Oleic acid.  Bitter gourd is very beneficial in managing disorders like diabetes and asthma.

The leaves and Bitter Gourd itself can be consumed for health benefits. It can be either cooked as a dish, baked, boiled, fried or consumed as raw juice.  It can be either made into a smoothie along with apples and spinach or be cooked as soup. It is also available in form of baked chips, pickles and chutneys. There are numerous reasons why one should start eating Bitter Gourd.

Some of the most important reasons are listed below:

Weight Management:

  • Bitter gourd is a natural agent for treating obesity. The fruit is low in calories, fats and carbohydrates. 100 grams of Bitter Gourd contains just 20 calories. It has the ability to keep one fuller for a longer period of time. The pods of Bitter gourd contain 80% water. Bitter melon contains antioxidants that improve metabolism and flush out toxins from the body.  Regular consumption of Bitter Gourd helps in relieving constipation and indigestion. Thus, it is very useful in losing weight.

Blood Purifier:

  • The anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties of bitter gourd help it to clear toxins from the body, purify it and improve blood circulation throughout the body. Bitter Gourd juice should be consumed in the morning on an empty stomach to detox the body. It helps with controlling blood clotting too, thus helping the wounds to heal faster.
  • Bitter Gourd is used to treat acne, rashes, psoriasis, toxemia, blood boils and itching in any part of the body. It is rich in folate and is very useful for menstruating women and pregnant women to prevent anemia and maintain blood iron levels. Bitter Gourd is known to reduce neural tube defects in developing baby if consumed at the time of pregnancy.

Treats Respiratory disorders:

  • Bitter Gourd is a simple home remedy to relief cough, cold, improve breathing and clear up the sputum. The pods of Bitter Gourd is used to treat asthma.

Health Benefits of Bitter gourd

Manages Diabetes:

  • Bitter gourd contains polypeptide-p (p insulin), alkaloids and charatin which help in reducing blood sugar levels naturally for Type 2 diabetic patients. Consuming bitter gourd, helps in regulating metabolism, thus prevents unpredictable spikes and drops in insulin levels.
  • Bitter gourd increases the absorption of glucose by the liver, fats and muscle tissue thus helps in reducing blood sugar levels and reduces demand on pancreas for insulin.
  • Bitter gourd acts as a hypoglycemic agent. Consuming bitter gourd juice increases the uptake of glucose and improves the glycemic control. Bitter Gourd activates the kinases protein that helps in absorption of sugar, thus aids in bringing diabetes under control.
  • Plant based insulin in bitter gourd also helps patients with type 1 diabetes. A glass of bitter gourd juice, daily (50 ml) is the most successful home remedy for diabetes.

Cleanses the liver:

  • A glass of bitter gourd juice daily acts as liver tonic and heal all kinds of liver problems. The juice cleanses the bowel and prevents liver failure by strengthening the anti-oxidant activity of the liver enzymes. It is very helpful in improving liver and kidney functions. It repairs liver and increases its capacity to clean blood.

Improves Eye sight:

  • Bitter Gourd is a good source of Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Vitamin A. It helps in preventing cataract development and progression.
  • Vitamin A also plays an important role in cell communication and aids in new cell growth and development.
  • Consuming Bitter gourd (raw, cooked or in juice form) helps in maintaining better vision by supporting retinal function and nourishing the corneas and conjunctival membranes.
  • Bitter Gourd is also a great home remedy to treat dark circles. It helps in preventing all vision related problems and strengthens the eye sight over time.

Boosts Skin and Hair Health:

  • The regular consumption of Bitter Gourd protects the skin from blemishes and acne. The vitamin C content in Bitter gourd makes it a power anti-oxidant that fights harmful free radicals and prevents wrinkles. This fruit contains anti-ageing properties as it keeps the tissues strong by facilitating collagen production thus it slows down the aging process naturally. It also protects the skin from Ultra Violet rays damage. Consuming Bitter Gourd helps to get rid of deep skin infections.

How to Use

  • Applying Bitter gourd juice to the scalp decreases hair loss and graying of the hair. It treats dandruff, scalp itchiness, split ends and rough hair. The juice may be applied directly to the scalp or mixed with some curd. Biotin, Zinc and Vitamin A and C help in imparting shine and luster to the hair.

Other Benefits of Bitter Gourd

  • Bitter Gourd has proved to be beneficial for HIV/AIDS patients as they contain phytochemicals which improve immunity and reduce the overall infection and inflammation in the patient. It also helps in lowering cholesterol levels, thus reducing risk of heart problems.
  • Bitter Gourd is a rich source of Vitamin C that protects our cells from free radicals involved in cancer development. It boosts immunity and helps in iron absorption in the body. It also improves stamina and energy levels of the individual and aids sound sleep.
  • To make Bitter Gourd less bitter one can sauté it in olive oil or sprinkle some salt over the cut bitter gourd pieces and let it sit for few minutes. Soaking Bitter Gourd in Tamarind juice also helps in taking away the bitterness.