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Indian gooseberry, with its high vitamin C content, is considered valuable in diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice,
mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will stimulate the islets of Langerhans, that is,
the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin in the pancreas. This mixture reduces the blood sugar in
diabetes.
Jambul Fruit
Jambul fruit is another effective home remedy. It is regarded in traditional medicine as a specific against diabetes
because of its effect on the pancreas. The fruit as such, the seeds, and fruit juice are all useful in the treatment of
this disease. The seeds contain a glucoside jamboline, which is believed to have the power to check the
pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production of glucose. The seeds should be dried
and powdered. One teaspoon of this powder should be mixed in one cup of milk or water or half a cup of curd, and
taken twice daily.
The inner bark of the jambul tree is also used in the treatment of diabetes. The bark is dried and burnt. It will
produce an ash of white color. This ash should be pest led in mortar, strained and bottled. The diabetic patient
should be given ten grams of this ash on an empty stomach with water in the morning, and twenty grams in the
afternoon, and in the evening an hour after taking meals. An equal quantity of amla powder, jamun powder, and
bitter gourd powder also makes a very useful remedy for diabetes. A teaspoon of this mixture once or twice a day
would be effective in checking the progress of the disease.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a splendid food in the diet of a diabetic patient. If grapefruits were eaten more liberally, there would
be much less diabetes. If you have sugar, use three grapefruits three times a day. If you do not have sugar, but a
tendency towards it and want to prevent it, use three a day.
Fenugreek
The seeds of fenugreek have been effective in the treatment of diabetes. Fenugreek seeds, when given in varying
doses of 25 gm to 100 gm daily, diminish reactive hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Levels of glucose, serum
cholesterol, and triglycerides were reduced considerably with diabetes patients when the seeds were consumed.
Bengal Gram
Experiments have shown that the intake of water extract of Bengal gram enhances the utilization of glucose in both
diabetic and normal persons. When kept on a diet, which included liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract, the
condition of the patient improved considerably and his insulin requirement reduced to about twenty units per day.
Diabetes patients who are on a prescribed diet which does not severely restrict the intake of carbohydrates, but
includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood
sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar, and general condition.
Black Gram
For a milder type of diabetes, two tablespoons of germinated black gram, taken with half a cup of fresh bitter gourd
juice and a teaspoon of honey, is said to be helpful. It should be taken once daily for three to four months. Try to
cut carbohydrates out of your diet. Even in severe cases, regular use of this combination, with other precautions, is
useful as a health-giving food for the prevention of various complications that may arise due to malnutrition in
diabetics.
Mango Leaves
The tender leaves of the mango tree are considered useful in diabetes. An infusion is prepared by soaking 15 gm of
fresh leaves in 250 ml of water overnight, and squeezing them well in the water in the morning. This filtrate should
be taken every morning to control early diabetes. As an alternative, the leaves should be dried in the shade,
powdered and preserved for use when necessary. Half a teaspoon of this powder should be taken twice a day.
Parslane
The seeds of parslane are useful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken every day with half a cup of
water for three to four months. It will increase the bodys own insulin and help in curing diabetes.
Other Foods
Besides bitter gourd, certain vegetables are beneficial and can improve a diabetics health. These include:
- String beans
- Cucumber
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tea made of the pods of string beans is valuable in diabetes
Exploring alternative approaches to diabetes: An Expert Interview with Emma Olliff , DipNT CNM
What is Diabetes and What are the Causes of it.
Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders leading to the person having high blood glucose (sugar), either because
insulin production is inadequate, or because the bodys cells do not respond properly to insulin.
The main symptoms of Diabetes include:
all foods that contain sugar such as jam, jelly, marmalade, chocolates, desserts, ice cream, confectionery,
and so forth
honey
soft drinks and other artificially sweetened cold drinks
milk and milk products such as cheese and butter
fruits and fruit juices that have a high sugar content
oily foods
alcoholic beverages
Contrary to popular perception, theres no diabetes diet. However, its important to center your diet on these highfiber, low-fat foods:
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
Youll also need to eat fewer animal products, refined carbohydrates and sweets.
A nutritionist can help you put together a meal plan that fits your health goals, food preferences and lifestyle.
Remember the importance of consistency. To keep your blood sugar on an even keel, try to eat the same amount of
food with the same proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats at the same time every day.
Low glycemic index foods also may be helpful. The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food causes a
rise in your blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index raise your blood sugar quickly. Low glycemic foods
may help you achieve a more stable blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index typically are foods that are
higher in fiber.
Diabetes and Exercise
Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people who have type 2 diabetes are no exception. Get your doctors
OK before you start an exercise program. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or biking.
Whats most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic
exercise most days of the week. Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. If you havent been
active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually.
Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. Check your blood sugar level before any activity. You might
need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar if you take diabetes medications that lower
your blood sugar.
Diabetes and Lifestyle
Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease, and people that lead a sedentary lifestyle are more prone to suffering from it.
This is because they have unexercised muscles and tissues, which can affect the overall action of insulin and reduce
its capacity in the utilisation of glucose.
Stress is another important cause of type 2 diabetes as it can cause malfunctioning of the pancreas and thus affect
the secretion of insulin. Some common stress factors include injury, surgery, infections, pregnancy, and mental
tensions or worries.
Diabetes and Obesity
Obesity is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. This is because being overweight is linked to insulin resistance. If
your body fat levels are higher than thirty percent, you have a BMI over 25, or a waist size more than 90cm for
women and 100cm for men, you are at high risk.
Ayurveda & Its Approach To Diabetes.
Recommendations:
Kapha-Pacifying Diet
It is recommended to follow the kapha-pacifying diet. One should limit and avoid sweets (including fruits with
exception of lemon, orange or bitter melon), refined flour carbohydrates, fatty foods and dairy products. Choose
more fresh vegetables (not potatoes) and bitter herbs. Raw vegetables and herbs help to stimulate digestive
enzymes and enhance insulin production.
Animal protein is limited, since excessive intake can damage the kidneys and it has higher fat content. Fat is
limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult, which stresses the
body and may cause toxic build up from food that is not able to be digested. The excess fat also causes weight gain,
which is one of the causative factors for diabetes. Food should be spiced with spices like turmeric, dry ginger,
cardamom, cloves and cinnamon.
Exercise
Exercise should be done daily, preferably in the morning, and it should be vigorous. The exercise helps with the
weight loss and the toxins that harm the body. Exercises that cause one to sweat are very helpful as the sweating is
a form of purification. Yoga is also good as it promotes flexibility. Exercise also has another benefit apart from its
effect on the physical body. Exercise reduces the stress hormone cortisol and promotes mental relaxation. Ayurveda
always looks to balance the body and the spirit.
When a person has lived an unhealthy lifestyle that has contributed to the diabetes, there is an emotional
component. The person has not made choices that benefit him and instead makes choices that harm the body. When
one is strong mentally, better choices can be made. Meditation is another way to relax and restore ones self and
gain the clarity to make better choices. Meditation is a tool used in Ayurveda to strengthen the spirit state. The
physical rest of sleep will also support a stronger mental state. In addition, people who are sleep deprived are at
risk for insulin dysfunction.
Remedies
Herbal remedies are usually given in a blended formula. Ayurveda usually avoids emphasizing single herbs,
because a blend works synergistically enhancing the performance of all the herbs. The total effect is greater than
the sum of its parts.
Some helpful herbs include:
- Triphala
- Gudmar
- Shilajit
- Bitter Gourd
- Tumeric
- Fenugreek
- Neem
- Amalaki
Conclusion
Ayurveda offers a multi approach to treating diabetes. There is not one tool, but many that work in harmony
together to facilitate healing. It provides recommendations based on the individuals body and illness type, so that
the uniqueness of the individual is treated. Moreover, the individual is looked at as a whole- mind, body and spirit.
We are each complex, special and a one of a kind, and we each deserve to be viewed in that way so we can shine in
our life. As we shine, we light the way for others to shine in their own way.
Tricks To Reverse Diabetes Your Doctor Wont Tell.
November is American Diabetes Month, and I am happily writing this article to help teach others that this dis-ease
can be completely healed without daily shots of insulin and pharmaceuticals. And pretty easily, too! My father
reversed diabetes almost a decade ago, and I am living proof that our diet truly changes our health, as I healed a
rare blood disease over 16 years ago.
There are six basic components to managing diabetes naturally. These are sufficient hydration, reducing
carbohydrate intake, eating whole, natural foods, taking certain vitamin and mineral supplements, get adequate
sleep and sweeten foods only with stevia.
High blood sugar causes dehydration as the body attempts to flush excessive levels of glucose from the
bloodstream. As a result, many diabetics suffer from constant thirst and the need to urinate. Keeping properly
hydrated helps many diabetics prevent insulin resistance. Adults should drink a minimum of three quarts of water
each day. They should also avoid alcohol, caffeine and fruit juice, as these exacerbate dehydration.
Cutting back on carbohydrate intake also helps a person manage diabetes by reducing fluctuations in blood glucose
levels. Most people who reduce their carbohydrate intake experience healthy weight loss and less erratic blood
sugar levels. Many breads and other grain products are rank high on the glycemic index, which means they tend to
spike insulin levels.
Eating whole foods provides diabetics with better nutrition. This is important, as many diabetics lack proper
nutrition. Such foods include fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, wild game, free range, grass-fed meat and goats
milk.
Meanwhile, vitamin and mineral supplements are key components of managing diabetes naturally. Zinc,
manganese and chromium are particularly helpful, as together they improve insulin production, boost energy and
reduce cravings for sugar.
Table sugar is not the only sweetener that is harmful to diabetics. Even honey spikes insulin levels. The best
sweetener, and some say the only safe sweetener, is stevia, which does not affect blood sugar levels.
Finally, diabetics require plenty of sleep, as much as 10 hours per night. Adequate sleep and decreased overall
stress levels do wonders to help diabetics by preventing adrenal glands from excreting sugar into the bloodstream.
Tips for Natural Diabetes Management
1. Eat according to the glycemic index. This will largely involve reducing carbohydrate intake, particularly
when it comes to starchy foods.
2. Start an exercise program. Along with decreasing body fat, which leads to steadier blood sugar levels,
exercise improves insulin sensitivity.
3. Increase your dietary fiber intake. High fiber foods and supplements improve the bodys tolerance of
glucose.
4. Begin consuming chromium and/or brewers yeast, both of which increase the bodys insulin sensitivity.
5. Eat more fresh, organic produce for their high fiber and nutrition content. Berries are a particularly good
fruit for diabetics, as they contain more fiber and much less sugar than other fruits.
6. Consider taking yoga lessons. Yoga strengthens the pancreas, which is vital to insulin production, through
its various breathing exercises and postures.
7. Supplement your diet with magnesium, manganese, zinc, chromium and vitamins B, C and E, all of which
reduce diabetes-related damage to the kidneys, eyes and nerves.
8. Avoid cysteine, an amino acid. Some studies indicate cysteine interferes with sugar absorption by breaking
down insulin.
9. Quit smoking. Many people are surprised to learn that smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes. It
does this by elevating blood glucose levels.
10. Destress by meditating. Choose from among any number of types of meditation, including mindfulness,
transcendental and focused awareness meditation.