Diabetes mellitus is a nutritional disorder, characterised 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 carbohydrates metabolism as well as in the metabolism of protein and fat.

Treating Diabetes with plant foods

In 1550 B.C., the famous Ebers Papyrus advised treating diabetes with high-fibre wheat grains. Not much has changed since then. Plant foods are still the drug of choice for treating diabetes, but now scientists have much more sound reasons for their effectiveness in this disease. Through the centuries, more than 400 plants have been prescribed as diabetes remedies. Herein are described some of the more important foods which help lower blood sugar or insulin production in diabetes patients.

Bengal Gram

This important pulse in India is of great value as an anti-diabetic food. Tests were conducted at CFTRI Laboratories in Mysore, on a chronic diabetic patient whose insulin requirement was 40 units a day.When kept on a diet, which included liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract, the condition of the patient improved considerably and his insulin requirement was reduced to about 20 units per day. Diabetic patients who are on a prescribed diet which does not severely restrict the intake of carbohydrates, but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar and general condition.

Bitter Gourd

This common vegetable is specifically used as a folk medicine for diabetes from ancient times in India.Researches by a team of British doctors have established that it contains insulin-like principle, designated as 'plant-insulin', which has been found beneficial in lowering the blood and urine sugar levels. The juice of this vegetable has been found more effective than the fruits. The diabetes patient should take the juice of about three or four fruits every morning on an empty stomach.

Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds are a medicine of great value in the treatment of diabetes. According to research studies conducted at National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, fenugreek seeds, when given in varying doses of 25 grams to 100 grams daily, diminish reactive hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. Levels of glucose were also significantly reduced in the diabetes patients when the seeds were consumed. These studies indicated that the effect of taking fenugreek seeds could be quite marked, when consumed with 1200 to 1400 calorie diet per day, which is usually recommended for diabetes patients.

Fibre-Rich Foods

Foods-rich in fibre are considered highly beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Whole grain cereals are one of the best sources of dietary fiber. A well-known nutritionist, Denis Burkit in his book 'Don't Forget Fibre In Your Diet' says "Diabetes decreases and may even disappear in people eating a traditional whole food diet."According to British Medical Journal issue dated December 25, 1979, "A high fibre diet induced a remission of diabetes in 85 per cent of the patients tested."

Garlic

Garlic or its constituents have been found in scientific trials to lower blood sugar in diabetes. This vegetable is rich in potassium, which effectively replaces potassium, lost in large quantities in the urine by diabetics. It also contains zinc and sulphur, which are constituents of insulin. Garlic also contains manganese, a deficiency of which can contribute towards diabetes. Garlic also prevents atherosclerosis, which is a common complication of diabetes. Diabetics can take the equivalent of one or two clove of garlic a day in their diet in any form they like.

Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is an ideal food medicine for diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will stimulate the Islets of Langerhans and enable them to secrete natural insulin. It thus reduces the blood sugar in diabetes. Diet restrictions should be strictly observed while taking this medicine. It will also prevent eye complications in diabetes.

Jambul Fruit

This well-known common fruit in India is regarded in the indigenous system of medicine as a specific against diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas. The fruit, the seeds and fruit juice can all be beneficially used in the treatment of this disease. The 'jamboline' contained in the seeds is believed to have the power to check the pathological conversion of starch into sugar in cases of increased production of glucose. The seeds are dried and powdered. This powder, mixed with water, should be taken three or four times daily.It reduces the quantity of sugar in urine and allays the unquenchable thirst.

Kidney bean or French bean

Beans are high in carbohydrate and fibre. They should be eaten liberally to keep diabetes away and under control. Kidney or French beans are especially valuable in diabetes. A decoction prepared from this bean is an excellent medicine for diabetes. The procedure is to drink the decoction of French bean pods, one glass every two hours during the day. This decoction is prepared by boiling 60 grams of fresh kidney bean pods, after removal of the seeds, in four litres of water on a slow fire for four hours. It should then be strained through a fine muslin cloth and allowed to stand for eight hours. The decoction must be made fresh every day, as it loses its medicinal value after 24 hours.

Onion

Onions have been used as a treatment for diabetes since ancient times.Research studies conducted in Modern times have proved that this pungent vegetable can lower blood sugar in diabetes. In recent investigation in India, Research scientist fed subjects onion juice and whole onions in doses of 25 to 200 grams and found that the greater the dose, the more the blood sugar decrease. Its make no difference whether the onion was eaten in raw or cooked form.The investigators found that the onions affect the liver's metabolism of glucose, or release of insulin, or prevent insulin's destruction.

-- The author is based in Mumbai and writes on health-related issuesse. Its make no difference whether the onion was eaten in raw or cooked form.The investigators found that the onions affect the liver's metabolism of glucose, or release of insulin, or prevent insulin's destruction.

-- The author is based in Mumbai and writes on health-related issues