Ayurveda and Diabetes(Ayurvedic diet plan for diabetes patients)

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Globalised and modernised, the practices derived from Ayurveda traditions are a type of alternative medicine. In countries beyond India, Ayurveda therapies and practices have been integrated in general wellness applications and in some cases also in medical use.

Yoga which is a combination of physical exercises, meditation and breathing techniques, when combined with Ayurveda helps not only in curing many ailments but helps in prevention of diseases as well.

By Dr. Tina Dias (Ayurveda Expert)

In this article, Dr. Tina Dias, medical director of Medicia Clinic FZ LLC at Dubai Healthcare City and certified doctor of CAM, explains how Ayurveda can treat people with diabetes.

1] What is Diabetes as per Ayurveda?

Diabetes occurs due to pancreas either not producing enough insulin or the produced insulin is not getting effectively utilised by body. The hormone insulin is a blood sugar regulator.

When there is rise in blood sugar, this condition is known as Hyperglycaemia resulting in uncontrolled diabetes. To sum it up is reduced insulin secretion, decreased glucose utilization and increased glucose production.

Described as Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes:

• Type 1 is characterised by insulin production deficiency

• Type 2 occurs due to body’s ineffective use of insulin

Major group of diabetic people come under this type and is seen in adult stage of life because of factors like obesity, physical inactivity, etc.

Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, blindness and lower limb amputation and its chronicity and effect on life makes a person suffer and kind of die-by, it is well termed “Diabetes”.

Ayurveda describes it as Prameha, further leading to Madhumeha.

Prameha meaning passing of urine profusely both in quantity and frequency along with turbidity. Madhumeha is a disease in which mutra or urine of the person is similar to Madhu or honey.

Ayurveda says when prameha remains untreated it leads to Madhumeha or like an advanced stage of prameha.

2] What are the causes of Diabetes as per Ayurveda?

Ayurveda describes unhealthy foods and inactivity of body as the primary cause along with excessive sleep and stress as causative factors.

In addition to the other factors like heredity and over indulgence of sweets in pregnancy can lead to prameha.

3] How do you describe diabetic treatment as per Ayurveda?

The clinical management of diabetes is a triangular approach:

1] Ahara – Diet

2] Vihara – Exercise and yoga

3] Aushadhi – Medicines in Ayurveda

Amalaki, triphala, shilajit, guduci are few single medicines in Ayurveda with proven results in diabetes.

Chandraprabha, Arogyavardhini, khadirarishtam are few Aushadhi kalpa for prameha described in Ayurveda.

🔴 Diabetes Management is all about Do’s and Don’ts

❌ DON’TS

• Don’t skip your meals and especially for more than 6 hours

• Don’t indulge in excessive sugar and salty food

• Carefully read the labels of your foods while purchasing them

• Don’t keep eating when your body signals you that you are full

• Understand whether you are really hungry or it’s your mental hunger related cravings

• Don’t give up socialising with family instead learn to control, eat healthy portions

• Diabetic patient must learn to choose options and alternatives

✅ DO’S

• Do limit your sugary intake and simple carbohydrate with variety of whole grain foods and complex carbohydrate

• Stop smoking and alcohol

• Go Green: Vegetables must be a part of everyday life

• Walk, walk, walk. Breathe deep

• Follow Kapha pacifying diet including bottle gourd, bitter gourd, snake gourd, leafy vegetables like spinach

• Include protein rich foods like soya beans, lentils, green gram, chickpea

• Avoid rice, potato, sweet fruits, wheat, white flour, red meat, sugar products, jaggery and sweetened fruit juices

🟡 DIET

I always advise my patients that eating the right kind of food at a right time in right quantity, taking into consideration your digestive fire and its capacity combined with exercise and medicines can help in diabetes management very well.

A proper daily diet regime is very important. There is no point in getting stressed about being diabetic, but it’s important to educate oneself about what foods can keep your diabetes under control.

I have seen patients and friends those suffering from diabetes getting stressed each time they sit down to eat, either thinking they are deprived of their favourite food which in turn spikes the sugar levels.

❌ DON’TS	✅ DO’S	🟡 DIET GUIDELINES
Don’t skip meals (especially >6 hours)	Limit sugary & simple carbohydrates	Eat the right food at the right time
Avoid excessive sugar & salty food	Choose whole grains & complex carbs	Maintain proper quantity of meals
Don’t ignore food labels while buying	Stop smoking & alcohol	Consider digestive fire (Agni)
Don’t overeat when full	Include vegetables in daily diet	Combine diet with exercise & medicines
Don’t confuse cravings with hunger	Walk daily & practice deep breathing	Follow a consistent daily diet routine
Don’t lose control in social eating	Follow Kapha-pacifying diet	Avoid stress while eating
Don’t eat without awareness	Include protein-rich foods (lentils, chickpeas, etc.)	Focus on foods that control blood sugar
Don’t depend on unhealthy alternatives	Avoid rice, potato, sugar, refined flour, red meat	Stay disciplined with food habits

🟢 VIHARA OR EXERCISE

Exercise plays a very important role in Diabetes Management. Lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle and excessive sleep plays a very important role in aetiology and pathogenesis of prameha.

Daily walking, exercise and yoga helps in diabetes management.

🔵 AUSHADHI OR MEDICINES

Ayurveda describes the treatment of Diabetes with internal treatment called shaman chikitsa as well as panchakarma (cleansing treatment programme).

It recommends Abhyangam with steam. Based on physical strength of patient, fasting under supervision can be done as well. Purgation and colon therapy can also be done.

For internal medicine, consult a certified Ayurvedic doctor who understands body constitution and stage of disease.

Dr. Tina Dias

Medical Director

Medicia Clinic FZ LLCBuilding No: 40Clinic No: 04, Ground FloorDubai Healthcare City, UAE

📞 Telephone: +971 4 564 6010

📱 Mobile: +971 50 502 7927

🌐 www.drtinasayurecia.com