Sushma PS, Chief Dietician, Jindal Naturecure Institute: It’s critical to manage diabetes holistically by integrating conventional medicine and naturopathy.
If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar levels within a normal range should be your first focus. Whether you have type 1 diabetes, in which case your body does not create any insulin, or type 2 diabetes, in which case your body makes insufficient insulin and does not use what it does produce efficiently, living with diabetes can occasionally feel like a constant balancing act.
The chief dietician at the Jindal Naturecure Institute, Sushma PS, says, “It’s crucial to treat your diabetes holistically because impaired immune, neurological, and circulatory systems might result from your body’s inability to control blood sugar levels.” You can design a strategy that combines naturopathy with conventional medicine to help you feel better and regain control over your health.
The naturopathic concept encourages you to take control of your own health,” she says in reference to the naturopathic therapy for diabetes. Naturopathy encourages you to be an independent actor in your own health, which is highly important and strong for people with diabetes, who can need a lot of self-management. Instead of just going to the doctor and obtaining medication, you get to actively choose daily behaviors that will improve your health.
The dietician discusses the naturopathy diet for diabetes with TheHealthSite in advance of World Diabetes Day in 2022, including herbs that help control blood sugar levels. Continue reading.
Include raw foods in your diet on a regular basis since they are rich in essential enzymes that boost metabolism and give people with diabetes essential vitamins and minerals. Vegetables with green leaves are recommended. You should only periodically eat a small amount of vegetables, such as potatoes, beets, sweet potatoes, tapioca, broad beans, and double beans. Fig leaves are well known to possess potent anti-diabetic effects. An easy addition to the daily routine is to boil the fig leaves in filtered water and consume them as tea in the morning. The insulin-like properties of bitter melon, which lower blood sugar levels, can be used to treat diabetes. On an empty stomach, consume either melon juice or seed powder first thing in the morning.
The juices of Jamun, bitter gourd, cucumber, and bottle gourd are helpful for controlling blood sugar levels in addition to vitamin C tablets taken daily.
Herbs to take to manage blood sugar
The specialist mentions a few plants that are used to control blood sugar levels in naturopathic therapies for diabetes. These consist of:
Fenugreek: Due to their abundance of beneficial nutrients like mucilaginous fiber, amino acids, saponins, and alkaloids, the seeds of fenugreek are used in Indian naturopathy treatments for diabetes. Up to 50% of the fiber in fenugreek seeds can be discovered. These seeds’ high fiber content slows the body’s absorption of carbohydrates, lowering blood sugar levels after meals.
Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea has long been used to cure a variety of diseases. It contains antioxidant and cancer-prevention qualities, and a recent study suggested that it might also aid with blood sugar regulation. According to studies, drinking one cup of chamomile tea after meals each day can reduce insulin resistance, blood sugar, and insulin levels.
Lowering blood glucose levels is one of the many health advantages of the traditional herbal medicine triphala. This herbal combination, which includes the ingredients haritaki, bibhitaki, and amla, helps to stimulate the pancreas, which encourages insulin output. Triphala powder contains amla, which lowers blood sugar levels and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Neem: The blood sugar levels in neem leaves can be lowered. Neem leaves should be crushed before boiling in water. After the extracts have been filtered, consume this decoction. Using this drug is one of the finest strategies to treat hyperglycemia brought on by glucose.
Amla: Also known as Indian gooseberry, amla is well known for improving the condition of the skin, hair, and immune system. Because amla contains a significant amount of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that supports the body’s defense against free radicals, ayurvedic physicians recommend it for the treatment of diabetes. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that this leaf extract can significantly lower blood sugar levels. In naturopathic diabetic treatment processes, dried blueberry leaf tea is widely employed.
Neem leaves: Neem, a tropical shrub that is widely cultivated in India, aids in controlling blood sugar levels. Nearly every part of the neem tree—leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, and bark—is used in conventional medicine and aids in the management of diabetes.
Ginger: Since the beginning, Indian cuisine has made great use of ginger. It increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and helps increase insulin output.
Arjun Bark, or Terminalia arjuna: It has numerous medicinal advantages, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities. Arjuna lowers the risk of developing heart disease. It helps the heart’s regular function by enlarging and bolstering the cardiac muscles. The arjuna tree’s potent antihypertensive effects also aid in reducing high blood pressure.
The bitter vegetable known as bitter gourd may help reduce blood sugar levels. Actually, this food has an impact on how the body as a whole uses glucose. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes may benefit from the herb’s ability to boost insulin production.
Guduchi, often referred to as “giloy,” is an essential component of Ayurveda. By burning extra glucose inside the body, it aids in preserving steady blood sugar levels. The herb may be consumed orally as a powder or liquid.
Cinnamon tea: In the morning, brew 10 grams of cinnamon powder in 150 ml of water and drink with lime juice.
Diabetes Prevention
Since there is no treatment for this condition, prevention and control seem to be the best options. A healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat and high in fiber and carbohydrates is advantageous. Eating three substantial meals and two to three smaller ones each day helps the body’s metabolism. For improved outcomes, regular exercise also helps to control blood sugar levels.
Every year on November 14, the world celebrates World Diabetes Day to raise awareness of the common metabolic disorder that results in 1.5 million fatalities annually.
