Foods and Medicines for Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person’s blood glucose level is more than normal.

A hormone Insulin regulates blood glucose level. It’s produced in islets of Langerhans in pancreas. If body isn’t able to produce adequate amount of insulin then it’s unable to maintain blood glucose level & blood glucose level rises.

Causes of diabetes is still unknown but many studies have found that diabetes is a hereditary disease & some other reasons for diabetes can by living a sedentary lifestyle.

Regarding heredity, although genetic science proves that genes of predecessor may be found in their offspring but I’ve seen that most of the times family members follow eat the same type of food which their predecessor followed & their descendants also eat the same type of food.

I strongly believe that we’re what we eat & simple modifications in food habits can help in diabetes mellitus.

I’ve typed below some names of fruits, vegetables & medicines which if taken shall be beneficial.

Jamun (Jambul/Black Plum/Java Plum/Indian Blackberry) is a good fruit for people suffering from diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately it’s not available throughout the year in many parts of India but whenever it’s available it must be eaten. People who have a sedentary lifestyle & suffer lot stress must also have it as it’s beneficial. If it’s unavailable then its juice if available must be consumed.

Jarul or Banaba herbal tea made up of Banaba extract. It contains high concentrations of Corosolic acid that stimulates glucose metabolism at a fast rate thus helps in regulating blood sugar & insulin levels.

Avocado is another fruit which lowers blood glucose level hence must be eaten as per its availability.

Cherries lower blood glucose & they contain red pigmented anti-oxidants which can increase insulin output. Cherries also contain high insoluble fibre & are less in calories. 100 grams of cherries may only have around 54 calories. Anti-oxidants present in it also protect from cancer & heart diseases. It also helps in muscle heal & repair.

Barley is rich in fibre thus it makes feel full when consumed & also helps in excretion process. It reduces blood glucose level. It can be consumed rather than rice as it’s healthier than rice. Barley if consumed regularly lowers cholesterol & reduces glycemic index. Barley is also available in juice & power form.

Sweet Potatoes contains carotenoids which are good anti-oxidants, sweet potatoes are also high in fibre & low in glycemic index. If you’re found of eating potatoes then replace it with sweet potatoes as potatoes aren’t good for people suffering from diabetes mellitus whereas sweet potatoes are good.

Spices like Cinnamon when consumed mimic insulin’s effect, it also reduces LDL cholesterol. It’s high in magnesium & thus helps in controlling blood glucose.

Onion is rich in sulphur, flavonoid & has anti-oxidant properties. If consumed reduces blood glucose level.

Garlic lowers blood glucose level. Raw garlic has anti-oxidant properties. It promotes insulin secretion. For those who avoid garlic as it sometimes releases some smell from mouth then can take dry garlic golis. If possible Kashmiri Garlic golis can be taken with water in morning.

Flaxseeds are rich in magnesium & omega-3 fatty acids. It reduces blood glucose levels & has anti-cancer properties.

Eating 9 Neem leaves twice once in morning & once at night is also beneficial. Neem is a very powerful anti-oxidant & if taken for more than 1 year shall surely provide positive results & blood glucose level shall be lesser than previous year. If one can’t consume Neem leaves then can consume Neem tablets.

Bitter gourd as its name indicates is bitter in taste. It contains phyto-nutrient, polypeptide-P which reduces blood glucose level. Its juice can be taken if suffering from insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. For people who aren’t suffering from diabetes but are obese may also have its juice daily for weight loss.

Healing process slow down in people suffering from diabetes hence Amla (Gooseberry) with Turmeric must be consumed everyday. You may consume fresh Amla with Turmeric or Amla Power & Turmeric power mixed in water. Amla is rich is vitamin C & Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties. If consumed regularly shall be beneficial.

Carrots are high in fibre & full of beta-carotene. It bolsters number of white blood cells & T-cells in immune system thus it’s beneficial for diabetes.

Fenugreek (Methi) power if consumed with pure milk is beneficial. If one can’t digest milk then may have Fenugreek tea by using Fenugreek seeds instead of tea power with some other ingredients like ginger, lemon grass, cinnamon, & some other tea masalas if required but avoid sugar. Many researches have shown that Fenugreek tea not only lowers obesity but also improves smell buds.

 

Lemon has anti-oxidant properties hence its juice is also beneficial. It decreases cholesterol. Its acidity lowers glycemic index of a meal considerably.

Wheat-grass juice should be consumed everyday. It increases oxygen in blood & purifies blood & thus is good for kidneys.

All refined food must be avoided. E.g. Maida or refined flour products.

Stale food & packed food must also be avoided. Packed food contains preservatives which aren’t good for health & in a way packed food are also stale.

Non-Vegetarian foods are high in calories & we can’t know an animal or bird’s health condition before it was prepared hence must be avoided if possible.

Diabetes affects functioning of kidneys. For kidney’s proper functioning 2 tablets of Chandra-Prabhavati should be taken twice a day, after lunch or brunch & after dinner.

Giloy (Guduchi) is also good for diabetes patients. If Giloy plant isn't available then its tablets can be taken daily.

Triphala Powder should also be taken at night. It assists in removal of toxins from body.

Ensure to drink a lot of water as well but not more than 3.6 litres of water must be consumed.

If weight is high & brought to normal also helps in Diabetes.

I’ve typed a preparation made by Dr. Tony Almeida a kidney specialist in Mumbai. It can be made at home & if taken everyday shall also help.

Ingredients: -

1. Wheat flour (100 gm) 2. Gum (of tree) (gondh) 100 gm 3. Barley 100 gm (SHAHEER) 4. Black Seeds (kalunji) 100 gm (HABASOUDA)

Method of Preparation: - Put all the above ingredients in 5 cups of water. Mix it & then boil it for 10 minutes & put off fire. Allow it to cool down by itself.  When it’ll become cold, filter out seeds & preserve liquid in a glass jug or bottle.

Take one small cup of this water every day early morning when your stomach is empty. Continue this everyday for as it’s beneficial for health & controls blood glucose level.

Mandukasana is a good asana for diabetes hence it must be practiced daily. Bajrasana must be practiced after having breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner as it in enhances metabolic process.

Pranayams, Breathing Exercises, Stretching Exercises, some physical movements, Laughter Therapy etc if performed daily also helps.

N.B. If you’re taking medicines for diabetes then please don’t avoid it. The above remedies shall help in decreasing blood glucose level & living a good life but cannot completely cure diabetes hence medicines must be taken.