We get a lot of questions on effective Diabetes Management and Preventive Care. Many people are anxious about their invincible blood sugar levels and are depressed that they cannot eat their favourite foods or engage in their favourite activities. How to tackle blood sugar is the real question when it comes to diabetes management.

Diabetes Management: Diet Control

Diet plays a major role in controlling your blood sugar. Surprisingly, there is no special diet for the diabetics. Diabetics can eat all natural and whole foods including whole grains, fruits and vegetables. It is, however, advisable to get Glycemic Index for food so that they can avoid high glycemic foods like white flour, sugars, puffs and flakes, potatoes and more.  In carbohydrates, concentrating on complex carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes) could change life dramatically. They are fibrous and get absorbed slower than refined carbs and hence have a lesser effect on blood sugar. Many people believe that carbs are bad while proteins are good. The truth is, you need them both. Unfortunately, protein rich foods contain a lot of saturated fat too. For diabetes management purposes, aim for lean proteins like soy, chicken, sea food or beans. A diabetic diet should have 15% to 20% of proteins out of the total calories in a day.

Diabetes Management: Physical Activity

Diabetics can find relief through daily physical activity. At least 30 minutes of activity is a must. However, next to doctor’s permission, what you need to keep in mind is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)which could happen with strenuous physical activity. In order to avoid this, a diabetes management that some people do is to snack before exercise or carry a sugar drink with them. Also, weight loss can help a great deal in bringing the unhappy figures down.

Diabetes Management: Sleeping Habits

Poor sleep and diabetes are long time friends. Sleep hikes blood sugar thus: Those who lack quality sleep at night eat more to keep up their energy levels. This will increase their sugar level. If you do not eat well, then you sleep less and again, the cycle is affected. Lack of sleep is also linked to obesity and weight gain. If you have diabetes and have disturbed sleep, that’s not surprising either. For diabetes management, restrict caffeine and alcohol intake, avoid heavy dinner, exercise and take warm bath before bed time to improve sleep. A healthy snack before bed time with a consistent routine is very helpful.

Diabetes Management: Stress

If you have been doing everything on the diabetes management and preventive care and see no results, blame it on stress! Stress is a villain and it creates havoc in your bloodstream. When you are under stress, it makes the body work harder to cope better by causing the “flight response”. As the body gets ready to fight it takes up the stored fat to produce the energy. for flight or fight. Since there is a lack of insulin in the Diabetic, the blood glucose released is not controlled. For stress management, meditation and yoga are very beneficial.

Some Natural Ayurvedic Remedies For Diabetes Management

Some natural ayurvedic remedies for Diabetes management are mentioned below. No advice is good advice for all. So what worked for your friend may not work for you. These diabetes management natural ayurvedic remedies are not meant to replace your drugs. Also, one thing to keep in mind is that home remedies may cause a sudden fall in the blood sugar level.

*Cinnamon - This spice has great blood sugar regulating properties. Add powdered cinnamon to your curry or beverage.

*Fenugreek Tea – It is very effectively used by some people. Boil fenugreek seeds in water, simmer, strain and drink daily.

*Black beans- Throw in salads and curries.

*Fig Leaves - Fig leaves are to be boiled in water for some time until its essence seeps in. This fig tea can be take first thing in the morning.

*Black Seed  Oil – A teaspoon of oil extracted from black seed or black cumin seed everyday is claimed to be promising remedy for Diabetes Type II.

*Indian Gooseberry - A tablespoon of gooseberry juice mixed with a cup of bitter gourd juice taken daily should help those watch diet and exercise. Boiled gooseberry (ideally without salt) can also be consumed daily.

*Saptarangi – A herbal remedy for Diabetes is Saptarangi or Salacia-Oblonga which helps to treat Diabetes Type II.

-Aparna K.V.

These simple yet amazing natural remedies for good health will help your enhance your lifestyle.

1. Your sleeping position and your heart: 

The sleeping position does have a connection with the health of your heart. Did you know that sleeping on your left side puts extra pressure on your heart due to the added weight of your body? This happens because no matter what weight falls on the heart the heart has to continue pumping of the blood. We do spend one third of our lives sleeping, this additional pressure wears your heart at a faster pace. Just by sleeping on your right side or on your back you can lessen this extra pressure. These small and simple natural remedies will add to the age of your heart.