Diet and Home remedies for Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).It is a chronic ,life long condition that affects body's ability to use the energy found in food.But one can lead normal life by  medication and other life style corrections.Usually pancreas produce some amount of insulin.But in some conditions the amount is not enough for the body's need or   body cells resistant to it.There are three types of diabetes.Type1 or insulin dependent diabetus or juvenile diabetes.In this there will not be insulin production from pancreas.It is auto immune condition.In this person will be dependent on out side insulin(insulin injection).Usually it starts in childhood.Type 2 or non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.Here  the amount  of insulin produced from pancreas is not enough for the body's need or body's cells are resistant to it.Third type is gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes  affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.

Causes for diabetes

Over weight or obesity
Over eating
 Sedentary life style
 Stress
Chronic pancreatitis
Hereditary

Symptoms of Diabetes mellitus

poly phagia-Excess hunger
Polyurea-excess urination
Poly dipsia-excess thirst

Complications of diabetes

If the blood sugar level shoots beyond control,the patient has a significantly higher risk of developing complications.

Eye complications - glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and some others.
Foot complications - neuropathy, ulcers, and sometimes gangrene which may require that the foot be amputated
Skin complications - people with diabetes are more susceptible to skin infections and skin disorders
Heart problems - such as ischemic heart disease, when the blood supply to the heart muscle is diminished
Hypertension - common in people with diabetes, which can raise the risk of kidney disease, eye problems, heart attack and stroke
Mental health - uncontrolled diabetes raises the risk of suffering from depression, anxiety and some other mental disorders
Hearing loss - diabetes patients have a higher risk of developing hearing problems
Gum disease - there is a much higher prevalence of gum disease among diabetes patients
Gastroparesis - the muscles of the stomach stop working properly
Ketoacidosis - a combination of ketosis and acidosis; accumulation of ketone bodies and acidity in the blood.
Neuropathy - diabetic neuropathy is a type of nerve damage which can lead to several different problems.
HHNS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome) - blood glucose levels shoot up too high, and there are no ketones present in the blood or urine. It is an emergency condition.
Nephropathy - uncontrolled blood pressure can lead to kidney disease
PAD (peripheral arterial disease) - symptoms may include pain in the leg, tingling and sometimes problems walking properly
Stroke - if blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels are not controlled, the risk of stroke increases significantly
Erectile dysfunction - male impotence.
Infections - people with badly controlled diabetes are much more susceptible to infections
Healing of wounds - cuts and lesions take much longer to heal

Management of diabetes

Patients with type 1 are treated with regular insulin injections, as well as a special diet and exercise.

Patients with Type 2 diabetes are usually treated with tablets, exercise and a special diet, but sometimes insulin injections are also required.

The majority of gestational diabetes patients can control their diabetes with exercise and diet

Diet and home remedies for diabetes

1. In Ayurveda  it is explained as Madhumeha  one among prameha.It is clearly explained sedentary life style over eating are the main causes for this. So try to avoid it.
2. Diet plays a very important role in Diabetes.Always avoid sugar based canned juices,maida products,fruits like mango,banana,chikko,grapes and other food which are less fiber and high sugar..
3. Always diabetic diet should be in the ratio of carbohydrate:fat: protein=60:20:20.
4. Drink more water.
5. Always take high fiber vegetables like beans,spinach,broccoli,bitter gourd,turnip and leafy vegetables.Vegetables rich in fiber helps to lower blood sugar level.Use pulses with husk and sprouts.Effect of pulses on blood glucose is less than that of other carbohydrate containing food.
6. Take more of whole grains,millet,Channa atta and others which are rich in soluble fiber.
7. Good fats such as omega 3 are good for  body,which are available in nuts,
8. Among fruits which are fiber rich and low sugar like papaya and guava can be consumed.
9. Oatmeal is rich in carbohydrate and soluble fiber .That can be taken.
10. Over weight can be reduced by low calorie diet and regular exercise.refer Diet to reduce over weight 
11. Stress can be controlled by regular yogasana,pranayama and meditation practice.Stress releases the hormones like adrenalin and cortisol.They intensify the production of insulin and blood sugar level. Meditation lowers the insulin resistance.you can take guidance from an expert yoga and naturopathy center likeHasanadka Wellness Centre
12. Indian blackberry or Jamun or Jambul or Nerale in Kannada (Latin name -Syzygium cumini)is one of the best fruit to control blood sugar level.Daily intake of this fruit is advised .Or one can use powder of dry fruit in empty stomach twice daily with water.Or the decoction of the bark of same plant twice daily in empty stomach gives same result.
13. Cinnamon or dalchini has insulin like effects and helps to lower blood sugar level.Take 1 tsp of cinnamon powder with one cup of warm water in empty stomach.
14. Fenugreek/Methi seeds also have insulin like property.Soak 1tsp of fenugreek in water overnight.Swallow them in empty stomach to control blood sugar.OR Take one tsp of fenugreek powder with one cup of butter milk.Soak 5-6 tender mango leaves in water for over night.Drink that water in the morning or dry mango leaves under shade and make powder of it.Take 1 tsp of powder in one cup of water in empty stomach.
15. Bitter gourd is one of the best vegetable for diabetes.Daily take one cup of bitter gourd juice to control diabetes.
16. Almost same effect will be there with knolkol /turnip juice .It is rich in fiber and also have the property to control blood sugar level.
17. Amla or Indian gooseberry dry or fresh is good for diabetes.Take amla choorna/powder with water or fresh amla w ith water,which helps to maintain normal blood sugar level.
18. Chew 4-5 neem leaves in empty stomach or boil them with one cup of water and drink the decoction in empty stomach.

P.S:Author is Ayurveda practitioner with husband Naturopathy and Yoga therapist at their own Ayurveda-Yoga Naturopathy center