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Written By: Agencies | Updated : November 8, 2013 3:29 PM IST
Chronic psychological stress is a significant factor in the development of diabetes in Indians, a study has found.
The results of the present study indicate that newly-detected diabetics display higher chronic environmental stress levels and poor stress coping capacity that could lead to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, study author S. V. Madhu of the University College of Medical Sciences said at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Noting diabetes constitutes a major health and economic burden in the country, he said studies in several populations show that type 2 diabetes can be best prevented by lifestyle interventions rather than drugs.
Almost 85 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight, he said, adding that despite obesity being a major driver for diabetes, 90 percent of the overweight people are not aware they are overweight.
'We all know that we are sitting on a diabetes time bomb. But within this there are several issues that are not much talked about, for example, the fact that lakhs of women acquire diabetes during pregnancy, that urbanization is a factor in the growing incidence of diabetes and that there are a series of myths still associated with diabetes in India,' said Madhu, organising chairman of Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI).
RSSDI announced their national annual conference for 2013, scheduled to be held from Nov 10. The conference will see a gathering of top experts from across the country and will unfold new findings and studies in the field of diabetes based on research.
With more than 63 million diabetes patients, India is second only to China in the number of people living with the ailment. With a racial predisposition to diabetes and rapidly changing lifestyles, India is certainly on course to become the diabetes capital of the world. (Read: Eating walnuts may keep heart disease and diabetes at bay!)
Home remedies for stress
Use relaxing herbs
Certain herbs such as cardamom (elaichi), lettuce, celery, peppermint, chamomile and fennel (saunf) contain phytoconstituents that have wonderful relaxing properties. Make these a part of your diet in the form of herbal tea or by working them into the dishes you cook for some stress relief.
Ayurveda recommends the use of adaptogenic herbs (that help the body and mind adapt better to stressful conditions) over time can also help you cultivate a calm mind that does not easily get swayed by extreme emotions. Herbs such as aswagandha, jatamansi, guduchi, brahmi, tulsi and shankhpushpi help to restore the imbalance in the elements that make up the body and mind. However, it is important you avoid self-medication with these herbs take them only under the prescription of a registered Ayurvedic practitioner who is well-versed with their use.
Cut down on unhealthy beverages
Most of us are addicted to some form of liquid stimulant that we believe makes us more alert and able to deal with the myriad things life brings our way. Caffeine and alcohol tends to increase feelings of anxiety and stress. Cut down on your intake of such beverages and you are sure to observe your stress levels becoming much more manageable. (Read: Feeling stressed? Try these natural remedies)
With inputs from IANS
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