Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a nutritional
disorder, characterized by an abnormally elevated level of blood glucose and
by the excretion of the excess glucose in the urine. It results from an
absolute or relative lack of insulin which leads to abnormalities in
carbohydrate metabolism as well as in the metabolism of protein and fat.
Diabetes is a disease known to the
medical world since time immemorial. Its incidence is, however, much higher at
present than ever in the past. This is especially true in case of more advanced
countries of the world due to widespread affluence and more generous food
supply. The most commonly-used screening tests are the determination of the
fasting blood glucose level and the two-hour postprandial, that is after a
meal. The normal fasting blood sugar content is 80 to 120 mg. per 100 ml. of
blood and this can go up to a level of 180 mg. per 100 ml. of blood two hours
after meals. Anything above these norms can be termed diabetic levels.
Diabetes occurs in all age groups, from
young infants to the elderly. The greatest incidence occurs in middle or older
aged persons. It is estimated that 80 to 85 per cent of all individuals with
diabetes mellitus are 45 years of age or older.
Symptoms
The word diabetes is derived from the
Greek word meaning "to siphon to pass through", and mellitus comes
from the Latin word "honey". Thus two characteristic symptoms,
namely, copious urination and glucose in the urine give the name to the
disease. The normal volume of urine passed daily is about one and a half liters.
The urine is of a pale colour, has an acidic reaction and sweetish odor. The
quantity of sugar present in it varies from one-and-quarter decigram to two
and-a-half grams the total per day in many cases reaching as much as one kg in
15 liters of urine.
A diabetic feels hungry and thirsty
most of the time, does not put on weight, though he eats every now and then,
and gets tired easily, both physically and mentally. He looks pale, may suffer
from anemia, constipation, intense itching around the genital organs,
palpitations and general weakness. He feels drowsy and has a lower sex urge
than a normal person.
Causes
Diabetes has been described by most
biological doctors as a "prosperity" disease, primarily caused by
systematic overeating and consequent obesity. Not only the overeating of sugar
and refined carbohydrate but also of proteins and fats, which are transformed
into sugar if taken in excess, is harmful and may result in diabetes. Too much
food taxes the pancreas and eventually paralyses its normal activity. It has
been estimated that the incidence of diabetes is four times higher in persons
of moderate obesity and 30 times higher in persons of severe obesity. Grief,
worry and anxiety also have a deep influence on the metabolism and may cause
sugar to appear in the urine. The disease may be associated with some other
grave organic disorders like cancer, tuberculosis and cerebral disease.
Heredity is also a major factor in the development
of the disease. It has been rightly
said, "Heredity is like a cannon and obesity pulls the trigger."
Treatment
Any successful method of diabetes
treatment should aim at removal of the actual cause of the disease and building
up of the whole health-level of the patient. Diet plays a vital role in such a treatment.
The primary dietary consideration for a diabetic patient is that he should be a
strict lacto-vegetarian and take a low-calorie, low-fat, alkaline diet of high
quality natural foods. Fruits, nuts and vegetables, whole meal bread and dairy
products form a good diet for the diabetic. These foods are best eaten in as
dry a condition as possible to ensure thorough salivation during the first part
of the process of digestion.
Cooked starchy foods should be avoided
as in the process of cooking the cellulose envelops of the starch granules
burst and consequently, the starch is far too easily absorbed in the system. The
excess absorbed has to be got rid of by the kidneys and appears as sugar in the
urine. With raw starchy foods, however, the saliva and digestive juices in the
small intestine regulate the quantities required to be changed into sugar for
the body’s needs. The unused and undigested portion of raw starchy foods does
not become injurious to the system, as it does not readily ferment.
The diabetic should not be afraid to
eat fresh fruits and vegetables which contain sugar and starch. Fresh fruits
contain sugar fructose, which does not need insulin for its metabolism and is well
tolerated by diabetics. Fats and oils should be taken sparingly, for they are
apt to lower the tolerance for proteins and starches. Emphasis should be on raw
foods as they stimulate and increase insulin production. For protein, home-
made cottage cheese, various forms of soured milks and nuts are best. The
patient should avoid overeating and take four or five small meals a day rather
than three large ones.
The following diet should serve as a
guideline.
Upon arising: A glass of lukewarm
water with freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Breakfast: Any fresh fruit with
the exception of bananas, soaked prunes, a small quantity of whole meal bread
with butter and fresh milk.
Lunch: Steamed or lightly
cooked green vegetables such as cauliflower, cabbage, tomatoes, spinach,
turnip, asparagus and mushrooms, two or three whole wheat chapatis according to
appetite and a glass of butter-milk or curd.
Mid-afternoon: A glass of fresh
fruit or vegetable juice.
Dinner: A large bowl of salad
made up of all the raw vegetables in season. The salad may be followed by a hot
course, if desired, and fresh home-made cottage cheese.
Bedtime Snack: A glass of fresh
milk.
Flesh foods find no place in this
regimen, for they increase the toxaemic condition underlying the diabetic state
and reduce the sugar tolerance. On the other hand, a non-stimulating vegetarian
diet, especially one made up of raw foods, promotes and increases sugar
tolerance. Celery, cucumbers, string beans, onion and garlic are especially beneficial.
String bean pod tea is an excellent natural substitute for insulin and highly
beneficial in diabetes. The skin of the pods of green beans are extremely rich
in silica and certain hormone substances which are closely related to insulin.
One cup of string bean tea is equal to one unit of insulin. Cucumbers contain a
hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin. Onion and
garlic have proved beneficial in reducing blood sugar in diabetes.
Recent scientific investigations have
established that bitter gourd (karela) is highly beneficial in the treatment of
diabetes. It contains an insulin-like principle, known as plant-insulin which
has been found effective in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. It
should, therefore, be included liberally in the diet of the diabetic. For
better results, the diabetic should take the juice of about 4 or 5 fruits every
morning on an empty stomach. The seeds of bitter gourd can be added to food in
a powdered form. Diabetics can also use bitter gourd in the form of decoction by
boiling the pieces in water or in the form of dry powder.
Another effective home remedy is jambul fruit known as jamun in the
vernacular. It is regarded in traditional medicine as a specific against
diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas. The fruits as such, the seeds
and fruit juice are all useful in the treatment of this disease. The seeds contain
a glucoside ‘jamboline’ which is believed to have power to check the
pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production
of glucose. They should be dried and powdered. This powder should be taken
mixed in milk , curd or water.
The patient should avoid tea, coffee
and cocoa because of their adverse influence on the digestive tract. Other
foods which should be avoided are white bread, white flour products, sugar tinned
fruits, sweets, chocolates, pastries, pies, puddings, refined cereals and
alcoholic drinks. The most important nutrient in the treatment of diabetes is
manganese which is vital in the production of natural insulin. It is found in
citrus fruits, in the outer covering of nuts, grains and in the green leaves of
edible plants. Other nutrients of special value are zinc, B complex vitamins and
poly-unsaturated fatty acids.
Exercise is also an important
factor in the treatment of diabetes. Light games, jogging and swimming are
recommended. Yogic asanas such as bhujangasana, shalabhasana,
dhanurasana, paschimottanasana,
sarvangasna, halasana, ardha-matsyendrasana and
shavasana, yogic krisyas like jalneti
and kunajl and pranayamas such as kapalbhati,
anuloma-viloma and ujjai are highly
beneficial.
Hydrotherapy
and
colonic irrigations form a very important part of treatment. The colon should be
thoroughly cleansed every second day or so, until the bowel discharge assumes
normal characteristics. Bathing in cold water greatly increases the circulation
and enhances the capacity of the muscles to use sugar. The diabetic patient
should eliminate minor worries from his daily life. He must endeavor to be more
easy-going and should not get unduly worked up by the stress and strain of
life.
Source: www.healthlibrary.com through www.scribd.com
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