Tag: How To Control Diabetes Naturally

August 3, 2019

Yogasanas To Control and Prevent Diabetes

Overview

Yoga practice is also useful in the management of various lifestyle disorders including Type 2 Diabetes as the incorporation of yoga practice in daily life helps to attain glycemic control.

Nowadays, Type 2 diabetes has become a common lifestyle disorder which is caused by insulin resistance resulting in chronic hyperglycemia and various other complications. A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary patterns are the major risk factors for the development of various lifestyle disorders, including diabetes. Psychological stress also increases the severity of diabetes.

Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Yoga, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, aims at balancing the body, mind, and soul. Traditionally, yoga is a mind-body practice with the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment. It provides opportunities for self-awareness.

The word ‘Yoga’ is a Sanskrit name which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Yoga is often compared with the tree and comprises 8 aspects or limbs such as:

  • Yama (Universal ethics)
  • Niyama (Individual ethics)
  • Asana (Physical postures)
  • Pranayama (Breath-control)
  • Pratyahara (Control of the senses)
  • Dharana (Concentration)
  • Dhyana (Meditation)
  • Samadhi (Bliss).

Recognizing its universal appeal, the United Nations on 11th December 2014 proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.

Many yoga asanas have been found to be beneficial in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes but their judicious use is recommended after a careful assessment of patient’s health.

  • They emphasize on the relationship of mind, body, and awareness and focus on the synchronization of movement and breathing.
  • The key to performing a yoga posture is that it should be performed with stability and comfort and involves stretching, twisting, movements, and relaxation.

Some Yoga Practices Beneficial for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

  1. Surya Namaskar (Sun salutation)
  2. Vakrasan (Spinal twist)
  3. Trikonasana (Triangle pose)
  4. Bhujangasan (Cobra pose)
  5. Pavanmuktasana (Wind relieving pose)
  6. Om Chanting

1.Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation):

This yogic exercise involves a series of various yogic postures which are performed in a series of a specific sequence.

It is a complete yoga asana in itself and involves 11 steps such as

  1. Pranamasana(prayer pose)
  2. Utthana hasthasana(raised arms pose)
  3. padahastanasana(standing forward bend)
  4. ashva sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)
  5. phalakasana(stick pose)
  6. ashtang namaskar(salute with eight points)
  7. bhujangasana(cobra pose)
  8. adho mukha svanasana(downward facing pose)
  9. ashva sanchalanasana(equestrian pose)
  10. padahastanasana(standing forward bend)
  11. pranamasana(mountain pose)

It increases cellular requirements for oxygen and glucose and to meet these requirements, through brain signaling, insulin production is stimulated.

The diabetic patient should practice 3-7 rounds at a slow speed and according to an individual’s capacity.

2. Vakrasan (Spinal Twist)

It is a very basic asana (pose) and it is recommended for overall body health as well.

  • It is a seated yoga posture which improves the function of pancreas.
  • Vakrasan is a pose having seated spinal twist that squeezes the intestines and massage them to prevent the stagnation of colonic contents.
  • It is recommended that diabetic patients should hold the final pose for 15 seconds or as per their capacity and then gradually increase the duration  upto 1 minute.

3.Trikonasana (Triangle pose):

Trikonasana is a standing pose that works on all areas of the abdomen and further helps in keeping the kidneys in good working condition.

  • It improves blood supply and enhances insulin receptor expression in the muscles.
  • It is recommended to hold the final pose for 15 seconds and gradually increases the duration up to 1 minute.

4.Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):

Bhujangasana is a prone pose that stimulates and massages the pancreas and helps in the proper functioning of the gland.

  • This pose allows more blood to circulate in the pancreas and the whole body region.
  • Due to an increase in the amount of blood flow, the efficiency of beta-cells increases.
  • Diabetic patients should hold the final pose for 15 seconds and then gradually increase the duration up to 1 minute.

5.Pavanmuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose):

Pavanmuktasana is supine pose often known as ‘gas releasing pose’ and it braces up the entire system of the body including pancreas, liver, spleen, abdomen and abdominal muscles.

  • This asana causes a contraction in the abdominal muscles which improve the functionality of the abdominal organs.
  • Diabetic patients should hold the final pose for 15 seconds and gradually increase the duration up to 1 minute.

Om Chanting

6.Om Chanting

Several types of researches have shown that chanting Om is based on the physics of sound, resonance, vibrations, etc. that has a positive effect on health.

  • Chanting Om results in the removal of negative thoughts, an increase of energy, relaxation of brain and body.
  • Thus, chanting Om in supine posture produces an integrated relaxation response, which may have a clinical significance in the management of diabetes and hypertension.

Thus, Yoga postures help in the stretching of abdominal muscles which help in the regeneration of pancreatic cells and there is an improvement in the sensitivity of beta-cells to glucose, thereby there is an improvement in the secretion of insulin, increase in the blood supply to the muscles and muscle relaxation, thereby improving glucose uptake.

In addition to Yoga Asanas (Yoga Poses), Yogic breathing (Pranayam), Dhyaan (Meditation) have positive effects on the sugar levels and it is recommended in the management of diabetes.

Meditation

Meditation has been shown to cause physiological changes in the brain and meditators are less prone to stress.

  • The mental stability that is attained through Meditation helps diabetic patients.
  • Mindfulness Meditation is advocated for better sleep, greater relaxation, positivity in life etc.

Pranayama

Pranayama is control of breath. “Prana” is a breath or vital energy in the body.  The slow breathing technique involved in Pranayama causes comprehensive changes in the physiology of the body as it controls the autonomic nervous system.

  • Pranayama such as Bhastrika Pranayam (bellow-breathing) is energetic and powerful pranayama known as “the breath of fire”.
  • This pranayama helps in the regulation of pituitary, pineal, and adrenal glands which play an important role in the regulation of metabolism.

Yoga also prevents the development of diabetes in individuals who have a high risk of developing diabetes and also a results in a reduction of fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar (blood sugar after meals), anti-diabetic drug requirements thus suggesting improved glycemic control.

Its regular practice helps in enhancing awareness of the mind and body which is needed in the self-management of diet in diabetes. Moreover, regular yoga practice also reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Effective Home Remedies To Control Blood Sugar Level

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April 19, 2019

Significant Health Benefits and Uses of Cinnamon

Overview

Cinnamon is an extremely delicious spice. It has been known  for its strength of possessing medicinal properties since ages. Even modern science also confirms it. It is made from the bark of a tree called Cinnamomum. It is used since the ancient times in Egypt and was very rare and served as a gift to the kings & monarchs that were the rulers in those times. But now it has become quite cheap and is available in every nook & corner of this planet.

Health Benefits of Cinnmon

There are 2 types of cinnamon;

Ceylon Cinnamon

  • Also called the true cinnamon.

Cassia Cinnamon:

  • The usual cinnamon which people use it in their daily cooking without knowing it’s benefits.

What is Cinnamon?

  • Generally it is made after cutting the stems of Cinnamomum tree.
  • It is found in the inner bark of this tree and all wooden parts are removed.
  • It is left alone to get dry.
  • It’s bark roll into curls and are called cinnamon sticks.
  • These sticks are grind to form cinnamon powder.
  • It has a unique and distinctive smell and has an amazing flavor due to it’s oily condition that carries a compound known as cinnamaldehyde.
  • This very compound has  powerful effects on health of the body and in maintaining metabolism.

Cinnamon is a Rich anti-oxidant

  • Free radicals are known to cause oxidative damage to your body, cinnamon carries anti-oxidants called polyphenols that help in butchering the free radicals.
  • All the spices were studied to know their strength in having anti-oxidantal powers and cinnamon was a clear winner.
  • It was found to be better than super foods like oregano and garlic.
  • It is so strong that it can also be used as a food preservative.

Significant Health Benefits and Uses of Cinnamon

Significant Health Benefits and Uses of Cinnamon

1.Protects against heart diseases:

  • Heart attack is the most common disease, killing pre-maturely millions every year around the globe.
  • People who have type 2 diabetes; just 1 gram (half a teaspoon) of cinnamon per day is enough to control it.
  • It reduces the levels of total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and keeps the level of good cholesterol stable.
  • A recent study was conducted on how much cinnamon is needed to regulate these controls, it was found to be mere 120 mg a day was more than sufficient.
  • It has also shown to lower blood pressure in animals.
  • All these factors reduce the risk of getting a heart attack or any other heart related disease.

Cinnamon is anti-inflammatory:

  • Inflammation is incredibly important. Cinnamon strengthens your immune system so that your body can fight off all the infections and repair the tissue damage.
  • Inflammation can become dangerous if it is chronic and works against the body’s own tissues. This is where cinnamon steps in, research shows it to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Helpful in Controlling Diabetes

  • Cinnamon has the properties that reduce the high level of sugar present in the blood.
  • The glucose that enters your body after every meal you consume, cinnamon decreases it.
  • It interferes with a large number of digestive enzymes.
  • This process lowers the pace of carbohydrates that are present in your digestive canal.
  • A compound that is present in cinnamon plays the role of insulin on the cells.
  • This process does enhance the glucose uptake in your cells, but still it acts much slower than insulin acts.
  • A research was conducted and it was found that cinnamon can reduce the level of sugar in blood from 10% to 29%.
  • The dose of cinnamon should be correct, from 1 to 6 grams a day is enough.

Helps improve the Nervous System

  • Cinnamon can eradicate a diseases related to brain cells, when they are not functioning normally.
  • For example, called all the neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Parkinson’s and Alzheimer are also sorted out with cinnamon’s help.
  • There are 2 compounds present in cinnamon blocks the buildup of a protein known as tau in the brain that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • In a research conducted on the effects of Parkinson’s disease in mice, cinnamon did help in saving neurons, neurotransmitter levels are normalized and enhances motor function but more research is going on it’s effects on human brains.
  • These effects need to be studied further in humans beings.

Safe guards you against Cancer

  • Cancer is a dreadful disease that no one wants to get infected affected with. No one is ready to discuss it’s symptoms with anyone, and the public comes to know when it reaches a drastic stage, turning fatal.
  • It is characterized by enormous cell growth. Cinnamon has the talent to stop this production.
  • It plays the role of a thing that reduces cell growth and causes hiccups in the formation of blood vessels in tumors and is toxic to the cancer cells, means kill them all.
  • A study was conducted on mice to find it’s effects on colon cancer, showing it to be a potent activator of detoxifying enzymes present in the colon section, thus stopping the growth of cancer.
  • Further studies also showed the same effect in human colon section.

Saves human bodies against fungal, bacterial & viral infections:

  • One of it’s main ingredients, Cinnamaldehyde helps in fighting against various infections. Cinnamon helps in cleaning the respiratory tracts which gets blocked by fungus.
  • It also hinders the growth of certain bacteria like Listeria and Salmonella
  • The study which was conducted to know how much it did affect the fungus and bacteria is still midway and it needs to be completed at the earliest.
  • But it’s microbial effects have shown the safe guarding effects from tooth decay and strips down the bad breath.
  • Cinnamon also protects you by enhancing the sensitivity to the hormones of insulin and growth of HIV virus.
  • Its combats the growth of HIV virus especially against HIV-1 the most usual strained virus found in humans.

Note

  • Do not eat it in excessive quantity otherwise you will need to face the music as it has lots of side effects.
  • Both the type of cinnamon’s doesn’t possess the same qualities.
  • Just stick to buying the Ceylon type; you can use the Cassia variety too, but in tiny doses only to reap in the maximum benefits. It’s the best spice on the planet Earth.
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