Home Remedies for Diabetes

Just a few changes in your foot habits and you can cut the risks to a great extent. Some things that you can do at home to prevent diabetes or reduce it if you already are affected by it.

Nobody likes bitter things. But isn't it better to take a fruit or a vegetable instead of medicines? 

# Bitter Gourd

Having bitter gourd juice on an empty stomach has proved to prevent diabetes. If you are too stubborn or enjoy eating bitter gourd, then you could make stuffed karela (bitter bourd) or fry them like chips and have them as a snack. This will not just bring a change in your menu and give a respite to your taste buds, but also be beneficial to your health. 


# Methi

Soak a few seeds (1/4 tsps) of methi in water overnight. First thing after you brush your teeth in the morning, gulp down the methi along with the water. 



# Jambul Fruit

Jambul fruit is considered as an effective medicine for diabetes considering its effect on pancreas. The seeds too can be dried, powdered and had with water twice a day. 

The jambul fruit is a specific medicine for diabetics due to its effect on the pancreas. Jambul seeds contain a glycoside, named jamboline which blocks the conversion of starch into sugar in cases of raised glucose levels. In the treatment of this disease, the seeds, fruits and fruit juice all are helpful. Jambul seeds have been found to raise the insulin secretion from the pancreas.

The seeds can be dried and powdered; this powder should be given 3 to 4 times a day by mixing with water to help to decrease sugar in the urine. Also, it relieves the unappeasable thirst. To treat diabetes, the inner bark of the jambul tree is also utilized. The dried bark is burnt and ash of it should be given to diabetic patient on empty stomach with water daily in the morning, afternoon and in the evening.


# Guava

The guava is among those fruits that are available in most times of the year. With its vitamin C property and high fibre content, this is perhaps one fruit that diabetics can fearlessly have. Having guava with its skin can heighten the blood sugar levels, so make sure you peel off the skin before consumption.

Gooseberry/amla juice too cuts the blood sugar levels.

If you can't do without sugar in your coffee or tea, try and substitute honey.

Warning signs of Type 2 Diabetes

According to the Diabetes Association of India, almost 98 per cent of all diabetes cases belong to the type 2 category or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. 

In fact diabetes is so widespread that each of us knows at least one person suffering from the disease. Usually occurring in adults over 30 and overweight, type 2 Diabetes can be controlled through weight loss, diet and exercise. It is crucial to understand the warning signs associated with this disease. The vital warning signs for type 2 Diabetes are:

Excessive thirst: One of the major signs of type 2 Diabetes is polydipsia or excessive thirst. If you find yourself drinking more water than usual, and still feel that you just can't get enough, it could be an indication of type 2 Diabetes. This is because due to the excess of glucose in your blood, your kidneys have to work harder to absorb the additional sugar. However, some of the sugar still remains unabsorbed which is then excreted along with body fluids. This is the main reason why a diabetic patient feels dehydrated all the time.

Unexplained weight loss: As compared to Type 1 Diabetes, the weight loss in type 2 is a gradual process and may take some time to notice. This unexplained loss of weight is primarily due to the loss of body sugar. You may feel happy that you have suddenly acquired a slim silhouette but do not allow this fact to divert your mind. Always keep in mind that although overweight and obesity is a major risk factor for Diabetes, the condition can eventually lead to sudden loss of body mass.

Blurriness: Type 2 Diabetes may also lead to blurriness of eyesight and you may often face difficulty in focusing. This is primarily due to the fact that a portion of the fluids excreted from the body gets drawn by the eyes. This is a matter of concern, because if left untreated, it can even lead to complete or partial blindness.


Fatigue and weakness: The loss of water and glucose from the body is the main reason why a diabetic patient always experiences a sense of fatigue and overall weakness. The cells of the body primarily utilize glucose from the foods to produce the required energy to sustain. The cells sans the glucose are starved and run down.

Headache: Another major sign of type 2 Diabetes is constant headaches. This is due to the combined effect of dehydration, malaise and unexplained weight loss.

Dry mouth: One of the most common oral health problems for diabetics is dry mouth or altered salivary flow. Most of us are not aware of the fact that our oral health affects our control of diabetes and that our diabetes control alters our oral hygiene. However, it is seen that in majority of the cases, dry mouth occurs due to medications.

Frequent slow-healing infections: Many renowned physicians across the globe claim that diabetics have frequent infections that are slow-healing in nature. They believe that the condition weakens a person's immune response thereby making it a favorable ground for infections to occur. The most frequently seen infections seen in women are bladder and vaginal infections.

Exercising with Diabetes

Introduction to exercising with diabetes

Despite the seriousness of diabetes, if you are a sufferer, a carefully controlled exercise programme can significantly help your condition and improve the overall quality of your life.

In addition to the general health and fitness benefits that everyone enjoys from exercise, structured training will help your diabetes in a number of ways.


Exercising with diabetes can help:

• Help control blood sugar
• Help weight management
• Help avoid further diabetes complications
• Reduce stress
• Improve quality of life with diabetes

So, if you suffer from this disease, follow the step-by-step guide to exercising with diabetes and improve your quality of life. This guide includes advice on:

• How to kick-start your training programme
• Training precautions
• Correct training protocols
• Exercise tips

Safety first before exercise

Before you begin your exercise programme there are a couple of basic precautions that you should take. Once they’re completed, you’re ready to improve your fitness.

Get a check-up before exercising

Book a check-up with your doctor to discuss your plans. Your doctor will actively support your actions and will also be able to offer you further advice pertinent to your condition.

Get a professional

Next, to maximise the benefits of your training, it is wise to link up with an exercise professional who is qualified to advise you on training with diabetes. Time spent at this stage will reap continual rewards because focusing on the correct training for you will result in faster and long-term progression.

Now you’ve got the all clear to begin exercising, follow the step-by-step guide to preparing for your exercise sessions.

Eating before exercise

Several hours before your session, eat a high carbohydrate, low fat meal that also contains protein. The exact time will depend on your own particular rate of digestion so experiment with different eating times to find out what suits you best. The addition of protein in your meal will help the ‘slow release’ of energy as opposed to energy peaks that will upset your insulin balance.

Additional eating for exercise

Between one hour before you exercise and actually starting, you may benefit from additional carbohydrate — typically up to 15 grams. Similar to your main meal, experiment to find out what is best for you.

Energy drinks for exercise

Throughout your workout, keep a sports energy drink close at hand in case you experience hypoglycaemia. A sports drink will be rapidly absorbed and is easily portable, whether your workout takes place in the gym or outdoors.

Wear identification when exercising

Always wear identification in the form of a wrist band, necklace or similar, detailing your condition, contact details and any instructions.

Think safety when exercising

For safety reasons and as a psychological boost, advise the gym staff and friends and family that you are exercising. This is particularly important at the start of your programme when your body is gearing up to the new challenge of exercise.

Injection alert before exercise

If you inject insulin, avoid injecting into the limbs that you are primarily going to exercise. The increased circulation in these areas that occurs with exercise may accelerate insulin absorption and could cause hypoglycaemia.

Foot care for exercise

Good foot-care is essential for diabetes sufferers and even more so regarding exercise. Careful choice of socks and training shoes is imperative, with due allowance for expansion as you get warmer. Avoid blisters and similar problems at all costs.

Impact alert when exercising

Similarly, avoid excessive impact activities such as running, which could damage your feet and cause subsequent infections and problems.

Training times

The exercise prescription for a diabetes sufferer follows the basic training protocols that are applicable to everyone, including: warm-up, main session and cool-down but with a focus on daily training — ideally every day, so that eating and insulin levels are consistent.

Aerobic exercises

Workout at a very comfortable level of intensity, always low impact. Swimming, cycling, even surface walking and the gym cross-trainer are ideal. Aim for a session at least every other day and ideally, build up to daily training — progressing to a minimum of 20 minutes for each workout.

Resistance training

Focus on lighter weights and higher repetitions, and take as much recovery time between sets as you feel you need. One or two weekly sessions can significantly improve your strength, and combined with aerobic training will bring both variety to your sessions and a consistent workout each day.

Diabetes is not a total barrier to exercise and in fact exercise can actually help your condition with more consistent insulin levels and many other benefits. By following the guidelines above, not only can you take more control of your condition but you will also enjoy a whole host of exercise benefits including easier weight management, better all-round health and more energy.

Diabetes and exercise can go together providing you take sensible precautions and will add a new dimension to your life that you may have thought would elude you.