6 Ways You Can Reverse Diabetes

We all have at least one person in our lives who is a diabetic. Whether it is you or someone you love, you definitely know one thing about it- ‘NO SWEETS…EVER’. Often times, people don’t even know what exactly diabetes is but they know one thing for sure -to put an end to sweet eating. We all have heard that and as a true Indian we love our sweets. How can we not when we live in such a vibrant country with authentic dishes and mouth-watering and savoury sweets? Even as I write this article, I feel the taste of the milkshake I drank 4 hours ago rushing back in!

India- a colourful country rich in culture and heritage, the second most populous country, the emerging economy… some of the epithets used for our nation. What most people don’t know is that India is also the ‘diabetes capital of the world’ with as many as 50 million people suffering from type 2 diabetes and an estimate of 3.4 million deaths caused due to high blood sugar according to a (World Health Organization) WHO fact sheet on diabetes. The WHO also estimates that 80 per cent of diabetic deaths occur in low and middle-income countries and projects that such deaths will double between 2016 and 2030. But debates, discussions and deliberations aside, the fundamental thing is to know what exactly is diabetes.

Diabetes also scientifically known as diabetes mellitus is one of the world’s major disease. It is basically when there’s too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose) either because insulin production in the body is inadequate or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.

 There are three types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 diabetes

The body does not produce insulin. Some people may refer to this type as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, or early-onset diabetes. People usually develop type 1 diabetes before their 40th year, often in early adulthood or teenage years. Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases are type 1. Patients with type 1 diabetes will need to take insulin injections for the rest of their life. They must also ensure proper blood-glucose levels by carrying out regular blood tests and following a special diet. Talk to a doctor to if you want to know more about this disease.

2. Type 2 diabetes

The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin (insulin resistance). Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are type 2. Some people may be able to control their type 2 diabetes symptoms by losing weight, following a healthy diet, doing plenty of exercise, and monitoring their blood glucose levels. However, type 2 diabetes is typically a progressive disease – it gradually gets worse – and the patient will probably end up taking insulin, usually in tablet form.

Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is also greater as we get older. Experts are not completely sure why, but say that as we age we tend to put on weight and become less physically active. Men whose testosterone levels are low have been found to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, say that low testosterone levels are linked to insulin resistance.

3. Gestational diabetes

This type affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.

Diagnosis of gestational diabetes is made during pregnancy.

Much of gestational diabetes patients can control their diabetes with exercise and diet. Between 10% to 20% of them will need to take blood-glucose-controlling medications. Undiagnosed or uncontrolled gestational diabetes can raise the risk of complications during childbirth. The baby may be bigger than he/she should be.

So what then is the solution?

The good news is that type 2 diabetes is preventable. So don’t lose hope! Here’s some tips so help deal with diabetes

1. Lose excess body fat. Being overweight is an elevated risk factor for diabetes. In contrast, every kilogram (2.2 pounds) of weight lost reduces diabetes risk by 16 percent.
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3. Follow a plant-based, low-calorie diet. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables—a dietary pattern studies show reduces diabetes risk. Foods to avoid are those rich in trans fats (also called hydrogenated fat), saturated fat, and sugar.
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5. Stress less. The stress response triggers the release of several hormones that increase blood sugar. Studies show that mindfulness meditation improves the ability to cope with stress. Physical activity and social support also help relieve stress.
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7. Sleep well. Chronic sleep deprivation and poor quality sleep increase the risk for diabetes and obesity. For tips on sleeping better, see this Remedy Chick’s blog. If you have continued problems sleeping, contact your doctor.
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9. Keep medical appointments. Warning signs of type 2 diabetes are less dramatic than those of type 1 diabetes. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor regularly.
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11. Consider Taking These Natural Herbs
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• Curcumin

Curcumin is a component of the bright gold spice turmeric, which is one of the main ingredients in curries. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties and has been used in India for centuries as part of Ayurvedic medicine.  

• Berberine

Berberine is found in several herbs and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Studies have shown that it fights inflammation and lowers cholesterol and other heart disease markers. In addition, several studies in people with type 2 diabetes have found that berberine has strong blood-sugar-lowering properties.

Lastly, it’s important to remember to be determined and positive throughout. Your body knows when you’re stressed. So don’t be. Its only makes things worse. So go out there and breathe.