Cure diabetes through yoga
Definition:-
Diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood.
Comman causes:-
Diabetes can be caused by too little insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar), resistance to insulin, or both.
To understand diabetes, it is important to first understand the normal process of food metabolism. Several things happen when food is digested:
A sugar called glucose enters the bloodstream. Glucose is a source of fuel for the body.
An organ called the pancreas makes insulin. The role of insulin is to move glucose from the bloodstream into muscle, fat, and liver cells, where it can be used as fuel.
People with diabetes have high blood sugar. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their muscle, fat, and liver cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.
There are three major types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in childhood. The body makes little or no insulin, and daily injections of insulin are needed to sustain life.
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 and makes up most of all cases of diabetes. It usually occurs in adulthood. The pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels normal, often because the body does not respond well to the insulin. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it, although it is a serious condition. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the growing number of older Americans, increasing obesity, and failure to exercise.
Gestational diabetes is high blood glucose that develops at any time during pregnancy in a woman who does not have diabetes.
Symptoms:-
High blood levels of glucose can cause several problems, including frequent urination, excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, weight loss, and blurry vision. However, because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar experience no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Patients with type 1 diabetes usually develop symptoms over a short period of time, and the condition is often diagnosed in an emergency setting.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Increased appetite
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow-healing infections
Impotence in men
DIABETES MELLITUS
The term “diabetes mellitus” represents a group of conditions characterized by abnormally high blood glucose levels. Diabetes may be complicated by uncontrolled hyperglycemia, and treated diabetes may be complicated by abnormally low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia). Maternal diabetes is associated with an increased incidence of major birth defects. Over time, diabetes may cause complications involving the eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), and nerves (neuropathy). Diabetes is also associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, and peripheral vascular disease. In the United States today, diabetes is a leading cause of birth defects, blindness, kidney failure, and nontraumatic leg amputations. It is also a major contributor to cardiovascular disease. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and medical care for people with diabetes is estimated to cost over $100 billion per year.
When diabetes is associated with marked hyperglycemia, it produces characteristic symptoms and signs; particularly increased thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), and unexplained weight loss. At other times, hyperglycemia sufficient to cause changes in the eyes, kidneys, and nerves, and to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, may be present without clinical symptoms. During this asymptomatic period, an abnormality in glucose metabolism may be demonstrated by measuring fasting venous glucose or venous glucose after an oral glucose challenge.
Yogic cure:-
[1]Shatkarma {Purificatory techniques}
{a}Kunjal {Volitional stomach wash}
{b} Vastra dhauti { Stomach –wash by muslin cloth strip}
{c} Nauli {Massage to abdominal visceral organs}
{d} Sankh-prakshalana {Mouth to anus gut wash }
{e} Baghi {Half-filled stomach wash }
[2]Yogasanas {posture}
{a} Padmasana {Lotus}
{b} Ardh-matsyendrasana { Half spine twist}
{c} Tribandhasana { Triple-lock}
{d} Ustrasana { Camel}
{e} Chakrasana { Wheel }
{f} Dhanurasana { Bow}
{g} Matsyendrasana { Spinal-twist}
{h} Yogasana {Yoga }
{i} Mayurasana {Peacock}
{j} Sarvangasana { Shoulder stand }
{k} Urdhva sarvangasana { Half shoulder stand }
{l} Halasana {Plough }
{m} Shalabhasana {Locust}
{n} Gomukhasana {Cow mouth}
{o} Paschimottanasana {Posterior strech }
{p} Ardh- brikchasana {Half tree}
{q} Siddhasana {Perfect}
{r} Bhujangasana {Cobra}
{s} Supta-vajrasana {Lying adamantine}
{r} Shavasana {Corpse}
{s} Mandukasana {Frog}
{t} Matsyasana {Fish}
{u} Katichakrasana {Half wheel}
{v}Padahastasana
{w} Urdhva hastottanasana
{x} Supta Pawan Muktasana
{y} Yogamudrasana
[3] Pranayama {Body-mind energising breathing practices}
{a} Surya-bhedna { Right nostrilar pranayama }
{b} Anulome-vilome { Alternate nostrilar pranayama }
{c} Bhastrika { Bellows pranayama }
{d} Nadi-shodhana
{e} Ujjayi-pranayama {Hissing pranayama}
[4]Bandhas:- {Band}
{ a} Uddiyana bandha {Abdominal lock }
[5]Mudras: {Finger –posture}
{a} Tadagi mudra {pond posture}
[6] Dhayan {Meditation}
{7}Yogic diet:-
Foods to be avoided by Diabetics
- Sugar, glucose, jam, jellies, marmalade, honey (except that collected by bees from ‘neem’ tree and other bitter flowers only natural and pure).
- Syrup, treacle, tinned fruit.
- Sweets, chocolates, lemonade, glucose drinks, aerated drinks, proprietory milk preparations and similar sweetened foods.
- Cakes, pasteries, puddings, sweet biscuits, chocolate biscuits, pied (form of cakes) and thick sauces.
- Alcoholic drinks, tea, coffee.
- Rice, potatoes, yam (zimikand), sweet potato (shakarkandi), arbi, fried foods, oils and fats.
- Non-vegetarian foods.
- Starch and other starchy foods like refined flour ‘maida’, arrowroot cornflour etc.
- Dried fruits and nuts.
- Grams, dates, mangoes, sapota (cheeckoo), apricots, bananas.
- Bournvita, cocoa, ovaltine and other such marketed preparations etc.
- Sauces, chutneys, pickles.
- Ladies fingers.
Foods allowed for Diabetics
- All green leafy vegetables seasonal and fresh except those listed above under the heading ‘Foods not Allowed’.
- Green amla, bitter gourd and its juice (Kareala), drumsticks (Saijan-ki-phalli), bel ripe and bel leaves, neem leaves, bottle gourd (ghiya), brinjal (baingan), beans, cucummber, knol-khol, onions, peas, green papaya, ridge gourd (torai), snake gourd (chichinda), tinda, tomatoes, garlic, green chillies, mint-leaves, raw turmeric, (kachchi haldi), lemon, grapefruit (chakotra), oranges, mausambis, malta, musk-melon (kharbooja), water-melon (tarbooz), phalsa, jamun, radish, green banana, spring onions, capsicum, ginger, parwar, fenugreak sprouted (Ankurit Methi), pears, nashpati, babugosha and
- Herbs, spices, salt, pepper, mustard
- All cereals unrefined and in amounts given above in the daily menu.
- All pulses in amounts given above in the daily
Food items especially known to be beneficial for diabetics
- Honey collected by bees from flowers of ‘neem’ and other bitter trees, in its natural and pure form.
- Bitter gourd (karela) as such or its juice to be consumed daily. It is known to reduce blood sugar levels.
- Turmeric to be used as a spice and amla as a fruit.
- One teaspoonful each of drug amla and turmeric powder mixed together and taken with warm water or warm milk twice a day is claimed in yogic texts to benefit diabetics.
- Raw neem leaves eaten fresh or mixed with vegetable
[8] Fasting:-
Effect of yoga on diabetes patient:-
Twenty NIDDM subjects (mild to moderate diabetics) in the age group of 30-60 years were selected from the out patient clinic of G.T.B. hospital. They were on a 40 days yoga asana regime under the supervision of a yoga expert. 13 specific Yoga asanas < or = done by Type 2 Diabetes Patients included. Surya Namaskar, Trikonasana, Tadasana, Sukhasana, Padmasana, Bhastrika Pranayama, Pashimottanasana, Ardhmatsyendrasana, Pawanmuktasana, Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, Dhanurasana and Shavasana are beneficial for diabetes mellitus.
Serum insulin, plasma fasting and one hour postprandial blood glucose levels and anthropometric parameters were measured before and after yoga asanas. The results indicate that there was significant decrease in fasting glucose levels from basal 208.3 +/- 20.0 to 171.7 +/- 19.5 mg/dl and one hour postprandial blood glucose levels decreased from 295.3 +/- 22.0 to 269.7 +/- 19.9 mg/dl. The exact mechanism as to how these postures and controlled breathing interact with somatoendocrine mechanism affecting insulin kinetics was worked out. A significant decrease in waist-hip ratio and changes in insulin levels were also observed, suggesting a positive effect of yoga asanas on glucose utilisation and fat redistribution in NIDDM. Yoga asanas may be used as an adjunct with diet and drugs in the management of Type 2 diabetes.
Home Remedies For Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that develops, due to a problem with the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas. To cure diabetes try these home remedies :-
- The seeds of parslane are useful in diabetes. A teaspoon of the seeds should be taken every day with half a cup of water for three to four months. It will increase the body’s own insulin and help in curing diabetes.
- Take 400 mcg. a day of chromium picolinate makes insulin more efficient helping keep sugar level low. Chromium maintains stable blood sugar levels through proper insulin utilization and can be helpful for people with diabetes and/or hypoglycemia.
- The leaves of Butea tree are very useful in diabetes. They reduce blood sugar and are useful in glycousia.
- Take two teaspoons of powdered Fenugreek seeds with milk. Two teaspoons of the seeds can also be swallowed whole, daily.
- Take bitter melon, in any form, without any fear, and Jamun and powder of its seed.
- Boil 15 fresh Mango leaves in 1 glass of water. Leave overnight. Filter this water and drink first thing in the morning.
- Take Garlic in capsules it helps circulation and regulates sugar level.
- Grapefruit is a splendid food in the diet of a diabetic patient. If grapefruits were eaten more liberally, there would be much less diabetes. If you have sugar, use three grapefruits three times a day. If you do not have sugar, but a tendency towards it and want to prevent it, use three a day.
- Take plenty of potassium and vitamins C, E, and B-complex.
- The best remedy for this disease is the bitter gourd, better known as ‘karela’ . Eat this vegetable as often as you can or have at least one tablespoon of karela juice daily to reduce blood sugar levels in your blood and urine.
Scientific appraisal in favour of yoga:-
A study of 149 persons with non-insulin dependent diabetes found that 104 had lowered blood sugar and needed less oral anti diabetes medication after regularly practicing yoga. Because the patients were placed on a vegetarian diet during the study, however, the effect of yoga practice alone on blood sugar levels cannot be determined.
Diet therapy:-
Vitamin E
People with diabetes have a higher than usual need for vitamin E, which improves insulin activity and acts as an antioxidant and a blood oxygenator. Research has shown that people with low blood levels of vitamin E are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. Double-blind studies show that vitamin E improves glucose tolerance in people with Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM). Vitamin E was found to improve glucose tolerance in elderly non- diabetes.
A vitamin E deficiency results in increased free-radical-induced damage, particularly of the lining of the vascular system. Supplemental vitamin E may help prevent diabetes complications through its antioxidant activity, the inhibition of the platelet-releasing reaction and platelet aggregation, increasing HDL-cholesterol levels and its role in fatty acid metabolism. Vitamin E protects animals from diabetes cataracts.
The most impressive study on vitamin E and diabetes used a total of 1,350 international units of d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate daily, divided into three doses. Begin by taking 400 international units each morning. After two weeks, add another dose of 400 international units in the evening. After two more weeks, add another 400 international units in the afternoon.
It may require three months or more of supplementation for benefits to become apparent. The trace mineral selenium functions synergistically with vitamin E.
Note: If you have high blood pressure , limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 international units daily. If you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner), consult your physician before taking supplemental vitamin E.
If you are diabetics. supplement your diet with 1-3 grams per day of vitamin C.
Vitamin C
People with Type 1 diabetics (IDDM) have low vitamin C levels. Vitamin C lowers sorbitol in diabetics. Sorbitol is a sugar that can accumulate and damage the eyes, nerves, and kidneys of diabetics. Vitamin C may improve glucose tolerance in Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).
The transport of vitamin C into cells is facilitated by insulin. It has been postulated that, due to impaired transport or dietary insufficiency, a relative vitamin C deficiency exists in the diabetic and that this may be responsible for the increased capillary permeability and other vascular disturbances seen in diabetics.
If you are diabetic, supplement your diet with 1-3 grams per day of vitamin C.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
Diabetics with neuropathy have been shown to be deficient in vitamin B6 and benefit from supplementation. Peripheral neuropathy is a known result of pyridoxine deficiency and is indistinguishable from diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin B6 supplements improve glucose tolerance in women with diabetes caused by pregnancy. Vitamin B6 is also effective for glucose intolerance induced by the birth control pill. 1,800 mg per day of a special form of vitamin B6-pyridoxine alpha-ketoglutarate-improves glucose tolerance dramatically.
Pyridoxine is also important in preventing other diabetic complications because it is an important coenzyme in the cross-linking of collagen and inhibits platelet aggregation.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 supplementation has been used with some success in treating diabetic neuropathy. It is not clear if this is due to the correcting of a deficiency state or normalizing vitamin B12 metabolism.
Vitamin B12 is needed for normal functioning of nerve cells. Vitamin B12 taken orally, intravenously, or by injection reduces nerve damage caused by diabetes in most people.
Oral supplementation may be sufficient, but intramuscular vitamin B12 may be necessary in many cases. Take up to 500 mcg of Vitamin B12 three times per day.
Biotin
Biotin is a B vitamin needed to process glucose. It has been shown to work synergistically with insulin and independently in increasing the activity of glucokinase. This enzyme is responsible for the first step in glucose utilization. Glucokinase is present only in the liver, where, in diabetics, its concentration is very low.
Supplementation with large quantities of biotin may significantly enhance glucokinase activity, thereby improving glucose metabolism in diabetes. When people with Type 1 diabetes (IDDM) were given 16 mg of biotin per day for just one week, their fasting glucose levels dropped by 50%. Similar results have been reported using 9 mg per day for two months in people with Type 2 diabetes (NIDDM). Biotin may also reduce pain from diabetes nerve damage.
Take 16 mg of biotin for a few weeks to see if blood sugar levels will fall.