Diabetes is a disease that captures and affects an individual’s body for many years. Therefore, it is known as a chronic metabolic disease. The metabolic term is used as it emerges due to metabolic dysfunction in the body. From 2000 to 2019, the number of diabetic patients has increased by 3%. Also, it has mainly prevailed in low and middle-income countries than the high-income ones. This disease can become the major reason of causing blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke, and many other complications. The main 2 reasons behind its development are – either enough insulin is not produced by the pancreas or the body itself is not capable of using it properly.
Some main symptoms for diabetes that indicate its emergence include –
- Increased thirst & urination
- Increased hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness in feet or hands
- Weight loss
Suppose one is checking glucose levels at home with electronic devices. Here’s what should be expected as fasting average diabetes level – 70 mg/dL – 100 mg/dL.
Ayurvedic Point Of View of Diabetes
Diabetes is a concerning health condition. It is affecting millions of individuals on a global basis. While the Western medicine system provides new and modern management strategies, Ayurveda offers its 3000+ years old approach to tackling diabetes. In Ayurveda, diabetes is termed as ‘Madhumeha’. This means ‘sweet urine’. Thus, it highlights one of its primary symptoms in the name.
When it comes to the Ayurvedic perspective, diabetes is believed to stem from an imbalance in the person’s bodily doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas help one in controlling the various functions of the body but their imbalance can result in other health disorders including diabetes.
Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes aims to restore this balance through Ayurvedic principles. This includes required healthy modifications in one’s life and diet. This is combined with herbal remedies and a tailored treatment as per the Prakriti.
Advantages of Ayurvedic Treatment
- Ayurveda focuses on restoring the balance in the body. This includes a balance between doshas. Also, a balance between mind, soul, and body.
- Unlike the other treatments that mainly target the symptoms of diabetes, Ayurveda helps in finding the root cause of the disease.
- All the Ayurvedic remedies are made of natural sources like herbs and spices which eventually minimize the side effects while promoting an individual’s overall health.
- The addition of a few things like a balanced diet, mild modifications in lifestyle, and natural treatment procedures can help the person in the improvement of insulin sensitivity.
However, it’s important to properly follow the guidelines of doctors for the management of diabetes and its complications.
Major Steps to Cure Diabetes
Ayurveda very well knows how to tackle the problem of madhumeha naturally. Therefore, it offers some amazing tips. To know more, read the following:
Herbal Remedies:
There are a number of natural remedies for diabetes suggested under Ayurveda that can help patients and some of them are as follows:
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Neem
Neem is one of the trusted herbs of Ayurveda medicinal system. Drinking neem leaf extract or neem capsules will show significant results in managing diabetes.
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Bitter melon
A popular veggie of India – bitter melon (karela). Its bitter and astringent taste is known to fight against diabetes. One can add bitter gourd Indian-style dishes or its juice to the diet.
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Gurmar (Gymnema or Australian cowplant)
It is a sugar destroyer i.e. it helps control sugar cravings. Adding gurmar capsules or drinking gurmar tea will work.
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Fenugreek
These have some amazing sugar-regulating properties. Traditional Indian recipes like methi parantha or fenugreek seed curry offer tasty alternatives.
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Jamun
Jamun or Indian blackberry is a fruit with antioxidant properties to manage diabetes. Just binge on them after washing them properly or enjoy its juice.
Tip: Don’t take these remedies as a complete solution to the problem. Therefore, keep following the medication that doctors are recommending. Alongside, add these remedies after confirming from the current doctor to make sure they align with the treatment or not.
Dietary Recommendations
For Diabetic patients, diet plays a very important role as this disease is related to insulin productivity and metabolism. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider or utilize a diabetes telemedicine platform for personalized dietary and treatment advice that aligns with your specific health needs. Here’s a list of some food items that one must relish in their diet, which will help maintain a certain balance of glucose levels.
Vegetables:
- Brocolli
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Beans
- Corns
- Green peas
- Lentils
Fruits:
- Apple
- Avocado
- Blackberries
- Cherries
- Grapefruits
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- Strawberries
Whole grains:
- Whole wheat
- Quinoa
- Brown rice
- Oats
- Millets
- Barley
Dairy:
- Low-fat milk
- Low-fat yogurt
- Parmesan, ricotta, cottage cheese
Food oil:
- Cow’s ghee
- Mustard oil
- Olive oil
Lifestyle Modifications
After altering diet, there are some essential lifestyle tips that one must try to adjust in their dinacharya (daily routine).
- Exercising for at least 30-40 mins a day. It could be jogging, running, swimming, cycling, dancing, aerobics, zumba, etc.
- Give Yoga, meditation, walking in nature, & talking to loved ones a try. This will help relieve stress.
- Getting enough sleep will help balance the hormones, especially the insulin hormone.
- Keep a regular check on your medication and treatment.
Conclusion
Ayurveda offers a proper and unique understanding of diabetes and its management techniques. To attain this, it is really essential for one to consult with an expert of the Ayurvedic field. They will provide personalized guidance and treatment as per individual body type and the patient’s needs. Following these methods can help the patient and they will see some noticeable results themselves.
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