According to WHO Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.
Diabetes is an important public health problem, one of four priority non communicable diseases (NCDs) targeted for action by UN. According to WHO Globally, an estimated 422 million adults were living with diabetes in 2014, compared to 108 million in 1980.The global prevalence (age-standardized) of diabetes has nearly doubled since 1980, rising from 4.7% to 8.5% in the adult population. Diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths in 2012. Higher-than-optimal blood glucose caused an additional 2.2 million deaths, by increasing the risks of cardiovascular and other diseases. Forty-three percent of these 3.7million deaths occur before the age of 70years. The majority of people with diabetes is
affected by type 2 diabetes. This used to occur nearly entirely among adults, but now occurs in children too. Diabetes of all types can lead to complications in many parts of the body and can increase the overall risk of dying prematurely. Possible complications include heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, leg amputation, vision loss and nerve damage.
In pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of fetal death and other complications. Diabetes and its complications bring about substantial economic loss to people with diabetes and their families and to health systems and national economies through direct medical costs and loss of work and wages.
According to Ayurveda the history of diabetes (madhumeha) can be traced back in 1000 BC (Caraka Samhita). Descriptions concerning the disease and its management are available in Ayurvedic literature. Caraka Samhita (1000 BC) and Susruta Samhita (1000-600 BC) defined madhumeha as the disease in which the patient passes frequent urine characterized as astringent, sweet.
Ayurveda attributes multi-factorial etiology to the causation of diabetes and described as one among the eight major diseases (asthamahagada), which are difficult to cure and refractory in nature. Dietary, lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors are ascribed to the causation of this condition.
The core contributory dietary, life style and environmental factors comprise; excessive eating, sedimentary life, intake of certain foods from geographical areas enriched with water resources, freshly harvested foods and grains (navannapana), consumption of sweet food articles (gudavikrita) and all the factors (food/lifestyle) that aggravate kapha dosha. Hereditary factors (jatah-pramehi) and genetic association (beeja dosha) have also been attributed as important factors of etiology.
Therefore dietary management of diabetes patient is important.
Diet recommended in diabetes according to Ayurveda
Foods That Can Help Diabetics
BLACKBERRY -JAM
Blackberry -Jam, jambhul - is a frontline anti-diabetic food in Ayurvedic medicine. Besides its rich antioxidant properties, the fruit's seeds contain jamboline, a chemical that slows down the diastatic conversion of starch into sugar,
COW PLANT (GURMAR)
Another popular herb used to treat diabetes in Ayurveda, Gurmar (literally translated as sugar killer) or Gymnema Sylvestre is also available in the form of herbal powder or capsules.
BITTER GOURD (KARELA)
Loathe it or love it, either way karela or bitter gourd is an excellent item to incorporate into your diet, especially for those looking to shed a few kilos, combat acne and other skin conditions, and inhibit the absorption of glucose, aka kill diabetes.
BAEL FRUIT
"The extract from the leaves of this particular fruit," says Dr Dogra, "has been an age-old cure for diabetes." It is best consumed with a pinch of black pepper, and is also very useful in treating dysentery and diarrhoea.
FENUGREEK
According to Dr Dogra, fenugreek or methi seeds possess hypoglycemic properties that help reduce blood glucose levels significantly, keeping diabetes at bay. A daily dose of 10gm of fenugreek is recommended.
TURMERIC
Trending globally as the must-eat super food for its various medicinal properties; turmeric is popular for its effective prevention of Type 2 diabetes.
NEEM
"Neem already has a powerful reputation for its anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties, and is used popularly in Ayurveda to battle urinary tract disorders, boost metabolism and skin infections,"
TRIPHALA
A traditional Ayurvedic combination of three fruits: amlaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki, triphala is a powerful antioxidant that is often used to encourage healthier respiratory and cardiovascular functions. According to this study, triphala is particularly effective in combating Type 2 diabetes.
SHILAJIT
A black tar-like mineral substance that oozes from the Himalayan Mountains during peak summers, Shilajit is an age-old Ayurvedic cure against diabetes. Today it is also available in the form of tablets or as powder.
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Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman
Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.
Editor : M. Shamsur Rahman
Published by the Editor on behalf of Independent Publications Limited at Media Printers, 446/H, Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1215.
Editorial, News & Commercial Offices : Beximco Media Complex, 149-150 Tejgaon I/A, Dhaka-1208, Bangladesh. GPO Box No. 934, Dhaka-1000.
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