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Treatment of diabetes

Ayurveda: A art of healthy living

Diabetes according to ayurveda is a kapha type of disorder caused due to diminished functioning of agni which results to a tendency towards high blood sugar.In ayurveda ,diabetes is treated in various steps,which starts with modification in diet ,eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates, and emphasizing complex carbohydrates.Protein and fat is limited.

Panchakarma is typically used for this purpose.This begins with herbal message and an herbal steam sauna,followed by fasting to cleanise the body.This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver,pancreas ansd spleen.Colon therapy is next,first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to
reconstitute the system.

Exercise also plays an important in treatment for diabetes.Yoga and breathing exercise are traditionally used.

Herbs:
Diabetes has been treated with plant medicines. Recent scientific investigation has confirmed the efficacy of many of these preparations ,some of which are remarkably effective.

Stevia
Stevia has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Early reports suggested that stevia might have beneficial effects on glucose tolerance (and therefore potentially help with diabetes), although not all reports have confirmed this. Even if stevia did not have direct antidiabetic effects, its use as a sweetener could reduce intake of sugars in such patients.

Bilberry
Bilberry may lower the risk of some diabetic complications, suchas diabetic cataracts and retinopathy.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the antidiabetic properties of fenugreek seeds. The active ingredient responsible forthe antidiabetic properties of fenugreek is in the defatted portion of the seed that contains the alkaloid trogonelline, nicotinic acid and coumarin.

Onion and Garlic ( Allium cepa and Allium sativum)

Onion and garlic have significant blood sugar lowering action. The principal active ingredients are believed to be allyl propyl disulphide (APDS) and diallyl disulphide oxide (allicin), although
other constitutents such as flavonoids may play a role as well.
Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that APDS lowers glucose levels by competing with insulin for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. This results in an increase of free insulin. APDS
administered in doses of 125 mg/ kg to fasting humans was found to cause a marked fall in blood glucose levels and an increase in serum insulin. Allicin doses of 100 mg/kg produced a similar effect.

Onion extract was found to reduce blood sugar levels during oral and intravenous glucose tolerance. The effect improved as the dosage was increased; however, beneficial effects were observed
even for low levels that used in the diet (eg., 25 to 200 grams). The effects were similar in both raw and boiled onion extracts. Onions affect the hepatic metabolism of glucose and/or increases the release of insulin, and/or prevent insulin's destruction.

The additional benefit of the use of garlic and onions are their beneficial cardiovascular effects. They are found to lower lipid levels, inhibit platelet aggregation and are antihypertensive. So, liberal
use of onion and garlic are recommended for diabetic patients.

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