Diabetes is an illness in which the body does not use or produce insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed by the body to properly utilize sugar obtained from food. The causes of diabetes are unknown, although genetic and environmental factors appear to play roles.

There are different types of diabetes.

·      Type 1 diabetes - This type of diabetes is known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Patients with this type of diabetes must use insulin to control blood glucose levels.

·        Type 2 diabetes - This type of diabetes is also called adult-onset diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Depending on severity, patients with this type of diabetes can control their condition through diet and exercise. Oral diabetes medication is used if needed. If the condition is severe, type 2 diabetics also use insulin injections

·        Gestational diabetes - This type of diabetes is known as diabetes of pregnancy. It usually goes away after the pregnancy is over.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have some similarities. They both share one central feature--elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels from either a lack of insulin or impaired response of the body to insulin. Insulin is a key regulator of the body's metabolism. A diabetic diet for these conditions is similar and is important to diabetes management.

Holistic Perspective

The main causative factor of this disease is said to be the kapha which gets vitiated due to the improper food habits and sedentary lifestyle of a person. It is told in ancient text that if a person is unable to share his hidden emotions, and is unable to express one’s emotions and develops a quality of difficulty in accepting things then the mind becomes over active and leads to improper life style. The bodily kapha gets disturbed and affects the water balance of the body (Kledovaha srotas) and the Agni in the dhatus.Leading to the development of a metabolic syndrome like diabetes.

The causative emotions associated with this disease regardless of Type, are many including inability to give that which needs to be given, an inability to share and communicate. People with diabetes also show a remarkable inability to accept situations and resolve them.

Approach Followed in Ojas:

At Ojas through Agniashaya Prasadana Kriya, Lepa Marjana Kriya, Dhatwagni vardana Kriya and other supportive treatment programmes, the disturbed Kapha and Medas is restored to its normalcy. Practicing these kriyas will help to enhance the function of the pancreas, increase adequate insulin secretion reduces the excess production of medas, eliminates the excess kapha present above the neuro receptors and blood stream by increasing the dhatwagni in the body .thus helps in the better management of the diabetes.

General Dietary Guidelines

Avoid excess intake of sweets, carbohydrates, and dairy products. Take more fresh vegetables and bitter herbs. Other useful foods include: roasted or fried barley, corn flour, light, bitter vegetables, barley porridge, wheat and rice in moderate quantity and herbs like gudmar, triphala, musta, cardamom, fenugreek, or coriander. Triphala, turmeric, karela, guduchi can also be used to manage diabetes in a better manner.

Suggested Home remedies

Take 1/2 teaspoon of ground bay leaf and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, mixed in 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel. Take the mixture twice a day before lunch and dinner.

Mix and grind seeds of Fenugreek (Methi) 100 gm, turmeric 50gm, Dakhni Mirch (white pepper). Take one teaspoon of this powder with a glass of milk twice daily. Alternately, immerse and soak one teaspoon of fenugreek seed in water.This can be taken in the morning with water.

Suggested Asanas and Pranayama 

• Surya namaskar

• Pavanamukthaasana

• Pashchimottanasana

• Ardha matsyendrasana

• bhujangasana

• nadi shodana Pranayama

• bhramari Pranayama

• bhastrika and ujjayi

All be done under the doctor’s guidance.

Meditation:

Meditation would be extremely beneficial for this health condition provided it is guided.