Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : February 8, 2015 5:49 PM IST
Natural ways to treat and control diabetes have acquired immense popularity in recent times with the increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes in India. The fact that medications used to treat diabetes are associated with various side-effects on the body and that these medications are required on daily basis is responsible for paving the way for natural treatments for diabetes. In addition, natural treatment options are far more effective and safe as compared to medications in controlling the blood sugar levels in the body. While they are definitely not a substitute for conventional medical treatment and regular monitoring, they can help improve your condition considerably, reducing your dependence on medications and in some cases reducing your risk of complications that often develop as a result of diabetes. This is one of the key reasons for increase in natural treatment options for diabetics in India.
Crash diet A recent research study carried out by British scientists has shed light on the significance of short term crash diets in reversing type2 diabetes in diabetic individuals by restoring normal blood sugar levels in the body. Diabetics consuming around 800 calories a day lowered their blood sugar levels and returned to normal health within a few weeks.
Yoga Apart from regular walking, incorporating regular yoga practice is found to be helpful for diabetics. People suffering from this dreadful lifestyle disorder can start off their yoga therapy with a simple series of yoga poses like pawan muktasana. Yoga poses involving meditation, proper breathing or pranayama, savasana or corpse pose and inversion poses are effective in revitalising the pancreas and pituitary gland, which plays a key role in regulating sugar levels in the body. Read about yoga asanas to treat diabetes.
Acupressure and reflexology Acupressure is one of the emerging natural treatments for a wide range of clinical conditions including diabetes. This treatment approach for diabetes involves recognising the organs affected and treating the diseases through its acupressure points. Depending upon the symptoms observed, the acupressure points are determined; this means that excessive urination involves activation of the bladder point and a burning sensation in the foot involves activation of the small intestine. While reflexology helps in the management of blood sugar levels in diabetics. Read more about acupressure and reflexology.
Homeopathy and naturopathy There is an increase in the use of homeopathic medications to treat and control diabetes in India. A drop in blood sugar levels can be seen in a span of three months with careful profiling. Naturopathy involves a combination of diet, exercise (yoga) and steam baths to activate the pancreas and helps in proper management of blood sugar levels in the body. Read more about naturopathy as diabetic treatment.
Herbal remedies Although herbal remedies to treat diabetes have been in use since ancient times, they are once again gaining popularity as there have been numerous studies investigating their health benefits. The common and most effective herbal remedies for the treatment of diabetes are curry leaves (kadi patta), bitter gourd (karela), fenugreek (methi), Indian gooseberry (amla) and black berries (jamun). The easy availability and effectiveness of these natural remedies is responsible for the rapid rise in the use of such alternatives in the control and treatment of high blood sugar levels. Read more about herbal remedies for diabetes.
Apart from these natural remedies, lifestyle modifications like exercising, consumption of healthy foods and avoiding unhealthy foods play a key role in prevention as well as management of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes.
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