Diabetes - How To Prevent, Control...Reverse!

Diabetes - Help for Diabetes

General educational tips only. Please see your doctor for individual advice.

* Note: Contains an important tip if you don't have diabetes as well as tips
for if you do.

Do you regularly or intermittently experience any of the following,

Constant Thirst (not related to exercise, hot weather etc)
Excessive hunger (despite eating "enough" adequately)
Frequent urination (particularly at night)
Unexplained weight loss
Ongoing fatigue (i.e enough to fall asleep after meals etc)
Blurred vision, tingling or numbness (hands & feet), slow healing wounds etc

Now don't be alarmed if you do, as it may not mean anything.
However, these are the key symptoms of ....................Diabetes.

Did you know that half of the people with diabetes, that's 50%,
'DON'T EVEN KNOW THEY HAVE IT'. Could you be one of them?

If you have been reading the papers or watching TV, over the last week,
you'll have noticed that there is huge press about diabetes at present.
* We're talking about Type II or Adult onset diabetes here.

Just in Australia, 300 people are being diagnosed with diabetes...every DAY!!!

Now the reason for being a bit 'in your face' here is because you
may not realise how serious diabetes 'potentially' is.

If you do have diabetes and don't do know about it, you are literally
'sitting on a TIME BOMB' (yes, it's that serious - with 'untreated/unmanaged'
diabetes you DOUBLE your chance of dying within the next 5 years).

However, if you do find out you have it and do something about it,
it can possibly mean nothing more than a minor change to your life,
and if picked up and addressed early, even a complete return to
your normal uninterrupted life.

If you have diabetes, know what diabetes is (or don't care about the details),
skip to the Tips down the page - otherwise a quick explanation.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is simply the condition of having 'high or elevated blood sugars'.
When you eat, some of your food is broken down into glucose (sugar).
When it enters your bloodstream above certain limits, the hormone 'insulin'
is released to regulate the transport of the excess sugar out of your blood
and into your muscles or liver etc.

Type I Diabetes (previously juvenile diabetes) is generally where one's body is
unable to manufacture sufficient amounts of insulin.

Type II Diabetes (what we're talking about today), can involve insufficient
insulin, but more commonly involves someone's body's tissue becoming 'resistant'
to insulin. So despite possibly having enough, it's not effective in
reducing their blood sugars.

So blood sugar levels remain high, subjecting them to a
number of serious health problems. These can include,

- heart disease,
- kidney disease
- eye disease
- nerve damage
- vascular disease (damage to blood vessels/circulation)

Insulin resistance means that insulin produced by the pancreas cannot get
inside fat and muscle cells to produce energy (one gets 'fatigued').

You probably know that obesity is closely linked to diabetes too.
People who are overweight have a higher risk of insulin resistance,
because fat interferes with the body's ability to use insulin.

So it's both sugar and fat that are important.
* Though the latest research (The China Study etc) is showing it's more to
do with 'Animal' based foods (animal protein/fat etc) and 'refined/processed'
plant-foods (sugars etc) that's the real problem.
But let's get on with the tips.

* If you want more detailed information on the modern western science view of diabetes
, there are heaps of great resources around. I can highly recommend -

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000313.htm#Definition &

http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au * Hi to everyone from DA Victoria.

TIPS: 'If you DON'T HAVE Diabetes (or don't 'think' you have):

1. Understand diabetes is a 'SERIOUS' disease:

Don't think diabetes is just some minor problem/some imbalance -
diabetes is a serious ('life threatening') disease, when left untreated.

2. Get tested ASAP:

Remember that 50% of people with diabetes are undiagnosed/
don't know they have it. So there is obviously some chance
you could have it and not know it.

Picked up & treated/managed early, you can enjoy very good health with
minimal interruption to your normal life.

So why not get your blood sugars tested in the next few months?

If you regularly or intermittently experience any of the symptoms
mentioned at the start of this article,

constant Thirst (not related to exercise, hot weather etc)
excessive hunger (despite eating "enough" adequately)
unexplained weight loss etc (please don't say, "I wish"!)

then it's probably a good idea to make an appointment for testing asap (today).

* Notes:

1. Despite these being the primary symptoms of diabetes,
having one or all of them doesn't necessarily mean you have diabetes,
so don't stress yourself beforehand (or afterwards if you can help it).

2. Even if you don't have any/many of these symptoms,
diabetes (high blood sugar levels) can still be present/pending,
so why not get tested anyway, just to be sure? Even if you are
under 45 it can be a good idea as people getting diagnosed with
diabetes are getting younger and younger!).

3. Don't Think It's Genetic per se:

While experts have shown there is certainly a family history link
and genetic 'predispositions' to Type II diabetes, this doesn't in
any way mean that you should or will get it.

Clearly, as most modern experts suggest, diabetes is a classic
'Lifestyle disease'. Sure you or someone might be more 'predisposed'
to developing diabetes (just as some people put on weight easier than
others), but it's stress, poor diet (the wrong foods), insufficicient exercise etc etc
(i.e. a poor lifestyle), that is fundamentally the underlying 'cause' or trigger.

* Note: No gene produces disease. Genes must be activated or expressed
before they can cause disease. And it's our environment or lifestyle that
determines whether certain genes get activated/expressed etc.

So take control, focus on managing your life, and having a
healthy lifestyle and genetic predisposition or not, you will
greatly reduce your chances of having any problems.

4. Follow the Basic Diabetes Prevention Tips:

These are all pretty standard and the basics of what would
be good for you to generally follow for a health life anyway.

Regular exercise, low-moderate fat intake, eating mainly fruit,
vegetables, plant-based wholegrains etc (avoiding refined foods, high
sugar/high GI foods and too much animal products - meat/non-fresh dairy etc).

* For more details see the terrific links mentioned above.

IF YOU DO HAVE DIABETES (or know someone who has):

In addition to the conventional diabetes reccomendations,
the following are a some additional considerations/tips
you might find useful from the understanding of Maharishi
Ayurveda™.

1. EXERCISE Regularly...And then 'Do Some More':

The common recommendation to increase the amount of activity/exercise
you do is great. Even still many people with diabetes underestimate
how important exercise is and how much exercise they really need to do.
Walking around around the block 1-2 extra times a week is generally
not enough.
To really stimulate optimal pancreatic function, many MAV
physicians suggest something in the order of a 5 km/ 1 hour walk
every day, being necessary for optimal management. Yes, finding
an hour for exercise is not easy, but remember we are not talking
about losing a kilogram or two, we are talking about controlling
a serious disease.

2. Bitter Foods:

Bitter foods are are the perfect antidote to sweets/high blood sugar.

Increase the regularity and quantity of bitter foods into your diet.

E.g bitter ghourd (available at Asian/Chinese/Indian type stores and
some grocers). This is like 'the King' of bitter vegetables and is
a great addition for anyone with diabetes/high bloog sugars.

Others bitter foods brussel sprouts, eggplant, zucchini and all
your leafy greens etc.

3. Spices: Cinnamon, Turmeric & Fenugreek:

Cinnamon:

Research studies have shown that 1/2 tspn of cinnamon can
significantly reduce reduce sugar levels in diabetics. A study
in Pakistan showed reductions of 20%.

Helpful Tip:

Soak a cinnamon stick in your tea or add cinnamon to cooking.
For more see http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4413

Turmeric & Fenugreek are both bitter and also excellent spices
to use regularly for diabetes.

Helpful Tip:

Soak 1/2 - 1 tspn of fenugreek seeds in water overnight.
Eat raw the next day or sprinkle them on your food etc.

* Fenugreek is quite heating so be careful in summer.

4. Sweet Foods...without eating Sweet Foods!!!

Foods such as wheat, barley and mung dahl can be particulary beneficial
for those with diabetes, because they have the unique quality of providing
what is known as a sweet 'vipaka' or 'aftertaste'.

So while they do not adversely affect blood sugar levels,
they still provide the much needed (essential) 'sweet taste/quality'.

5. Basmati Rice:

Ayurveda has always extolled th benefits of 'basmati rice'.
Interestingly in terms of diabetes, basmati rice is one of the lowest
(if not the lowest) GI rices.

6. Favour a Plant-Based Whole Foods Diet:

One of the most profound ways to control if not 'reverse' (yes, reverse)
diabetes, is to give up meat...or substantially reduce your intake of
animal products.

The China Study by Dr.Colin.T.Campbell shows how diabetes (like many Western
'lifestyle' diseases, are closely linked to animal protein intakes.
Switch to a plant-based whole foods diet and you will be well on your way
to lower blood sugars, optimal weight and much, much better all-round health.

7. Sun Salutations (Sun Salutes):

Sun Salutes or 'Surya Namaskar', are an ancient yoga stretching routine,
highly recommended in Maharishi Ayurveda™.
Sun salutes specifically stimulate the pancreas/pancreatic function
and the other vital internal organs.

They are great for diabetes for this reason...as are many
other specific yoga type stretches. Maybe see a yoga teacher
(or do yoga classes) for additional stretches that can help.

* If you would like to receive a Diagram & 'How To' of
Surya Namaskar ('Sun Salutations'), email us at
mailto:info@healthspeaker.com.au or see - http://www.healthspeaker.com.au/sunsalutes.php

8. Massage:

Circulation is often very poor in those with diabetes.
A regular (daily ideal) self-massage is an excellent way to stimulate
circulation and metabolism, helping remove toxins and assist
diabetes management generally. * Email for more info.

9. Barley Water:

Barley is generally very good for sugar levels and
weight loss/weight management generally. Use barley regularly
in soups etc or try the following.

Barley Water:

Put 4-5 teaspoons of 'pearl barley' in a large thermos of
hot water. Leave overnight and drink throughout the next day.

Or boil the barley seeds in a saucepan of water for 20-30 minutes,
then put in a thermos and drink during the day.

10. Cataracts:

Cataracts are a common complication with diabetes, due to the increased sugar
in the blood.

To help, remember the tip about the 'saliva eye bath'.
i) get some pure (bottled) water and take a 'small' mouthful.
ii) swirl it around and 'spit' some into an eyebath (along with some saliva).
iii) do an eye bath with it for 1-2 minutes.

* Saliva enzymes breakdown sugar (just as they do in the 1st stage of digestion,
which starts in the mouth).

11. Food supplements:

There is a great herb in Ayurveda known as Gymnema sylvestre.
It binds to sugar receptors, helping to reduce sugar cravings etc.

Like most herbs it's best not to take it by itself, but there is
a great tea, called 'Be Trim Tea', that has it combined correctly
with other herbs, to help curb sugar cravings and help maintain an
ideal weight etc. It's available at some health shops or

Australia at: mailto:ayurveda@mapi.com.au

USA at: http://mapi.com/en/1-800-255-8332/products/betrimtea.html

*** What It's Really About - Changing Your Lifestyle: ***

While all the above tips can help, before you are worry about changing
your diet or getting more exercise etc, the first and foremost step in
diabetes management, is making sure to reduce/eliminate any stress in
your life and creating a more conducive 'overall health lifestyle'.

In essence, stress is the seed cause of all health problems.
The more you reduce stress in your life, more easily and spontaneously,
you will desire the right foods and be more motivated to exercise etc.

If there are major sources of stress in your life today,
look to make a priority of addressing those things first - from today!

Final Note: Putting Diabetes in Perspective:

If you had a heart attack or got cancer etc, you would almost certainly
immediately re-evaluate your whole life/lifestyle etc.
You probably wouldn't think twice about changing/moving from a
stressful job/workplace etc, if you felt it contributed greatly to
your health condition.

If you believe your lifestyle or work demands etc are directly causing
you high levels of stress or are not enabling you to do what you need
to do, to properly manage your diabetes (eat properly or
get sufficient exercise etc), then you might need to seriously consider
changing jobs/changing your lifestyle. Remember, not managed properly,
diabetes is as serious in terms of your potential 'mortality',
as heart disease, cancer etc.

Hope these have been helpful - Mark & HAA.

Article written by Mark Bunn - guest speaker & writer of health speakers articles.

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