Diabetes mellitus is a medical condition characterized by persistent high level of sugar in the blood occasioned by inadequate secretion of the hormone, insulin or the ineffectiveness of the body cells to efficiently utilize insulin. Your healthcare provider may recommend a Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) test to confirm whether your blood sugar is high.

Some symptoms of diabetes include; frequent thirst, frequent hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, body weakness, itching, tingling, numbness and blurred visions.

Three types of Diabetes mellitus are common;
1. Insulin-dependent DM (IDDM), also called type 1 or juvenile-onset diabetes

2. Non-insulin dependent DM (NIDDM) also called type 2 DIABETES which accounts for over 90 percent of all cases of diabetes. This is our main focus in this article.

3. Gestational diabetes (Pregnancy induced diabetes)

Factors influencing Diabetes include;
• Social structure
• Obesity
• Hormonal imbalance
• Heredity
• Psychic stress

Insulin resistance is also a factor; it can be triggered by food intolerance.

For some diabetics, offending foods are;

• Saturated fats
• Corn
• Wheat
• Dairy products

Diabetic patients should try as much as possible to limit the consumption of those items.

The ancients identified Six Tastes in foods as; BITTER, SWEET, SOUR, SALTY, PUNGENT AND ASTRINGENT. Our modern-day eating habits largely overlooks the simple fact that these 6 TASTES in foods affect our physiology. There is preponderance for the consumption of artificial sweet foods to the detriment of other foods of different tastes and this has contributed significantly to various ailments bedeviling our modern society including diabetes mellitus.

A very important food taste for diabetes mellitus treatment and management is the BITTERS. The physiological effects of Bitters among other benefits include;

• They are body tonics
• They tone the pancreas
• Bitters increase secretion of digestive juices

It should be noted that carbohydrates that quickly turn into glucose or sugar have a high glycemic index and cause a rapid rise in blood glucose. The more FIBER in a diet, the lower the glycemic index of that food and consequently the SLOWER THE RISE IN BLOOD SUGAR . DIABETICS SHOULD CURTAIL THE INTAKE OF OVER PROCESSED FOODS .

The active principles in medicinal plants possess the ability to RE-GENERATE PANCREATIC BETA CELLS, PROMOTE INSULIN RELEASE AND FIGHT THE PROBLEM OF INSULIN RESISTANCE.

Diabetic patients should regularly consume the following to help in stabilizing and finally normalizing glucose level in their blood. A trained and licensed medical herbalist or a naturopathic physician can select 2, 3 or 4 of the under listed herbs, effectively compound them with appropriate dosages for you based on your needs and general health status. Same goes for the medicinal plants classified as foods.

📍 Mormordica charantia leaves (balsam pear, Ejirin) infusion or decoction is beneficial to diabetic patients.

📍 Picralima nitida seeds (Nkpokiri in Igbo, Abere in Yoruba) are very useful to diabetics.

📍 Periwinkle flower (Catharantus roseus) leaves posses hypoglycemic properties.

📍 Gongronema latifolium (Utazi). Decoction of the leaves is taken for diabetes mellitus; it lowers blood sugar.

📍 Bitter leaf, Vernonia amygdalina, water extract of the leaves lowers blood sugar level.

📍 Bitter kola, Garcinia kola; bitter kola contains a bioflavonoid that has a blood sugar lowering property.

📍 Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus, is known to improve insulin sensitivity.

📍 Cucumber, Cucumis sativus, is one of the most important vegetables for diabetics; it regenerates the pancreas.

📍 Fluted pumpkin, Telfairia occidentalis; the cooked seeds have antihyperglycemic property and therefore benefit diabetes mellitus patients.

📍 Raw onions and garlic are good for diabetics; they possess anti-hyperglycemic properties.

📍 Ginger increases insulin sensitivity, it has antihyperglycemic property.

📍 Basil, Ocimum gratissimum; water extract of the leaves lowers blood glucose level.

📍 Pigeon pea (fio-fio), Cajanus cajan seeds flour benefits diabetic patients.

📍 Boiled, unripe plantain is good for patients suffering from diabetes. It is low in glycemic index also.

STAY HEALTHY, BE FREE FROM DIABETES.

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