DIABETES...CAN IT BE CURED?

DIABETES...WHAT IS IT? WHAT ARE THE CAUSES? CAN IT BE TREATED OR CURED?

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which glucose levels in the blood is much higher than normal and hence this condition is also commonly referred to as SUGAR disease.

BY WHO- "A heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by common feature of chronic hyperglycemia with disturbance of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. "

• The defect in this condition is that either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or it produces sufficient insulin, but the cells of the body are unable to use the insulin properly.
• Insulin is like a key that opens the body cell doors to allow glucose to enter.
• In the absence of enough insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells and remains in the bloodstream in high amounts (hyperglycemia)
• High blood sugar due to defective or deficient insulin action and the resulting associated problem is called diabetes.
• Cells in the body need glucose (sugar) for making the energy required for daily life.
• The food we eat turns into glucose after digestion.
• Glucose enters the bloodstream to reach different body cells. 
• Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas is required for glucose to enter the blood cells.

WHO ARE PRONE TO DIABETES...?

PEOPLE WITH INCREASED RISK OF DIABETES

1. CERTAIN MEDICATIONS INCLUDING- 

• Corticosteroids.
• Thiazide diuretics.
• Beta-blockers.
• Antipsychotics.
• Statins.

2. INACTIVITY-

A less active lifestyle can lead to the risk of diabetes mellitis type - 2. inactivity then further can lead to weight gain and the development of obesity.

3. RACE-

Africans, Americans, Indians, Asians have a higher risk for these deadly diseases. This is partly because these populations are more likely to be obese, with high blood pressure and have the risk of diabetes mellitis type- 2.

4. HIGH CHOLESTEROL-

Unfortunately, people with diabetes are more prone to having unhealthy high cholesterol levels, which contributes to cardiovascular disease (CVD).

5. HYPERTENSION-

People with high blood pressure were found to have around a 50% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

6. STRESS AND TENSION-

Many sources of stress are long-term threats. For example, it can take many months to recover from surgery. Stress hormones that are designed to deal with short-term danger stay turned on for a long time. As a result, long-term stress can cause long-term high blood glucose levels.

7. FAMILY HISTORY-

If your mother, father, sister, or brother has diabetes, your risk also goes up. If you don't know your family history, ask. Ask your parents, aunts, and uncles if anyone in your family has had type 2 diabetes. you can prevent diabetes by correcting your lifestyle and proper knowledge of the disease.

as we all know prevention is better than cure.

8. AGE FACTOR-

As you get older, your risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke goes up. There's nothing you can do about getting older, but you can take steps to eat healthily, stay active and manage your weight. And talk with your doctor about your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose.

9. PREGNANCY-

During pregnancy, the placenta makes hormones that can lead to a buildup of glucose in your blood. Usually, your pancreas can make enough insulin to handle that. If not, your blood sugar levels will rise and can cause gestational diabetes.

10. OBESITY-

Being overweight increases the chances of developing diabetes In this disease, the body makes enough insulin but the cells in the body have become resistant to the salutary action of insulin.

CLASSIFICATION

1. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM) immune-mediated and idiopathic.
2. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
3. Other specific etiologic types; endocrinopathies, drug-induced, genetic defect, Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY).
4. Gestational diabetes mellitus.

MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES

"DIABETES CAN BE EASILY MANAGED AND EVEN CURED THROUGH PROPER NUTRITION, YOGA, AND NATUROPATHIC INTERVENTIONS"

For ‪ DIABETES management, timing is everything! It is essential that you time your meals and activities such that you don’t experience fluctuating blood glucose levels which end up harming your body. Heavy rains can increase the likelihood of getting stuck for long hours in commutes which makes it impossible to follow your schedule. 

If you suffer from diabetes, make sure you have an emergency kit with you containing some snacks, your medicines, insulin vials & syringe (if required), your glucose meter and tissues to dry wet feet. 

YOGA THERAPY

Yoga has been studied for controlling both the symptom and complications associated with diabetes mellitus.

 List of the asanas done:

• Suryanamskara 
• Tadasana
• Trikonasana,
• Padmasana
• Paschimottansana 
• Ardhmatsyendrasana
• Pavanmukthasana 
• Shavasana 
• Dhanurasana
• Janushirshasana

• Benefits-

• A significant decrease in waist-hip ratio and changes in insulin levels were also observed, suggesting a positive effect of yoga asanas on glucose utilization and fat redistribution in NIDDM. 

• Yoga asanas may be used as an adjunct with diet and drugs in the management of Type 2 diabetes 

• Yoga asanas have a beneficial effect on glycaemic control and improve nerve function in mild to moderate Type 2 diabetes with sub-clinical neuropathy. 

• Fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels came down significantly. 

• Good glycaemic status can be maintained for long periods of time. 

• There was a lowering of drug requirement and the incidence of acute complications like infection and ketosis was significantly reduced. 

• There were significant changes in the insulin kinetics and those of counter-regulatory hormones like cortisol. 

• There was a decrease in free fatty acids. 

• The number of insulin receptors was also increased. 

• There was an improvement in insulin sensitivity and a decline in insulin resistance 

• There was an increase in lean body mass and decrease in body fat percentage. 

NUTRITION & DIET THERAPY 

• "A diabetes diet should be high on fiber, must contain milk without cream, buttermilk, fresh seasonal fruits, green vegetables, etc."But should consume these components in moderation.

• Diabetes diet for Indians should have a ratio of 60:20:20 for carbs, fats, and proteins.

• "Per day calorie intake should be between 1,500-1,800 calories with a proportion of 60:20:20 between carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively.

• a diabetes diet should "have at least two seasonal fruits and three vegetables in a diet plan."

• Though dry fruits may seem like a healthy snack, it is not a good option for diabetics, as the fructose can spike your sugar level.

• Go for fresh fruits rather than dry fruits for diabetes control.

• nuts as a healthy snack can opt but in moderation.

Foods, important for diabetics-

1. Fenugreek seeds-

• One teaspoon of methi seeds soaked overnight in 100 ml of water is very effective in controlling diabetes
• Fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum graecum) are high in soluble fiber, which helps lower blood sugar by slowing down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.
• This suggests they may be effective in treating people with diabetes.
• several clinical trials showed that fenugreek seeds can improve most metabolic symptoms associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in humans by lowering blood glucose levels and improving glucose tolerance.
• In one study, researchers in India found that adding 100 grams of defatted fenugreek seed powder to the daily diet of patients with insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes significantly reduced their fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance and also lowered total cholesterol, LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol and triglycerides
• In another controlled trial, incorporating 15 grams of powdered fenugreek seed into a meal eaten by people with type 2 diabetes reduced the rise in post-meal blood glucose, while a separate study found that taking 2.5 grams of fenugreek twice a day for three months lowered blood sugar levels in people with mild, but not severe, type 2 diabetes.

2. Almonds-

• Intake of 6 almonds (soaked overnight) is also helpful in keeping a check on diabetes.

3. Whole grains-

• Whole grains, oats, channa atta, millets, and other high fiber foods should be included in the meals.

• If one feels like consuming pasta or noodles, it should always be accompanied with vegetable/sprouts.

4. Milk-

• Milk is the right combination of carbohydrates and proteins and helps control blood sugar levels. Two servings of milk in a daily diet is a good option.

5. Vegetables & fruits-

• High fiber vegetables such as peas, beans, broccoli, and spinach /leafy vegetables should be included in one's diet. Vegetables rich in fiber help lowering down the blood sugar levels and thus are healthy.
• Fruits high in fiber such as papaya, apple, orange, pear, and guava should be consumed. Mangoes, bananas, and grapes contain high sugar; therefore these fruits should be consumed lesser than the others.\

• Bitter gourd-

  • One of the important juice which plays a major role in controlling blood sugar levels is Bittergourd juice a wonderful most effective home remedy to reduce blood sugar level instantly is a bitter gourd. It contains at least three active substances with anti-diabetic properties, including charantin, which has been confirmed to have a blood glucose-lowering effect, vicine and an insulin-like compound known as polypeptide-p. These substances either work individually or together to help reduce blood sugar levels. It is also known that bitter melon contains a lectin that reduces blood glucose concentrations by acting on peripheral tissues and suppressing appetite - similar to the effects of insulin in the brain. This lectin is thought to be a major factor behind the hypoglycemic effect that develops after eating bitter melon.
  Scientific evidence.
  • In January 2011, the results of a four-week clinical trial were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which showed that a 2,000 mg daily dose of bitter melon significantly reduced blood glucose levels among patients with type 2 diabetes, although the hypoglycemic effect was less than a 1,000 mg/day dose of metformin
  
  
  • Other older studies have also suggested an association between bitter melon intake and improved glycemic control, while a report published in the March 2008 issue of Chemistry and Biology found that bitter melon increased cellular uptake of glucose and improved glucose tolerance.

•   Knolkhol-

• The polyphenols in Brassica vegetables have immense health improvement potential as these polyphenols have high antioxidant activity.

• The most abundant group of polyphenols in Brassica species are the flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids

• Significant levels of chlorogenic acids and sinapic acid have previously been reported in leafy Brassica species, like kale, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Isothiocyanates play a role in reducing blood sugar levels.

6. Pulses-

• Also, pulses with husk and sprouts are a healthy option and should be part of the diet. Pulses are important in the diet as their effect on blood glucose is less than that of most other carbohydrate-containing foods.

7. Omega-3-

• Good fats such as Omega-3 and monounsaturated fats (MUFA) should be consumed as they are good for the body. Natural sources for these are canola oil, flaxseed oil, fatty fish and nuts. These are also low in cholesterol and are trans-fat-free.

Naturopathic treatment for diabetes

Nature cure is a return to nature. when a body returns to its normal entity in the field of lifestyle, routine habits, eating patterns, reducing the stress and tensions body start healing itself. in naturopathy, we follow 10 basic principles in which one is "BODY HEALS ITSELF! YES! BODY HEALS ITSELF, there is no medicine in the world which is more powerful than our healing system present in our body. give sufficient time to your body to heal itself by providing proper nutrition, reduction in stress and tension by meditation and yogic practices, naturopathic interventions, complete relaxation to "MIND, BODY, AND SOUL. 

INTERVENTION-

1. Massage
2. GH PACK - gastro hepatic pack.
3. Mud therapy
4. Yoga
5. Hydrotherapy

So hereby, I end today's blog with a note that diabetes can be managed and even cured with naturopathic and yogic intervention. BE HEALTHY BE CURED.

"RETURN TO NATURE"

DR. RUCHIKA SHARMA

DOCTOR OF NATUROPATHY AND YOGIC SCIENCES.