Explores the powerful potential of treating diabetes with Ayurveda, a chronic disease affecting millions in India. It delves into the common symptoms and root causes of diabetes, as well as natural treatments such as herbs, lifestyle modifications, and dietary changes. Learn how to take control of your health and manage your diabetes holistically with Ayurveda.

Introduction to Diabetes and Types

Diabetes is a long-term health condition that is linked to several other illnesses.

 –The root cause of diabetes is either an insufficient amount of insulin in the body or a lack of effective use of insulin. This results in elevated blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia.

-If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to damage in the heart, blood vessels, vision, kidneys, and nerves, which increases the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and eye and kidney problems. People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to experience illness and death compared to those without the condition.

-A rise in blood sugar signals the pancreas to release insulin, which acts as a key to allow glucose into your body’s cells for use as energy. Diabetes affects the way your body converts food into energy.

 Diabetes can take many different forms due to the complications involved. The 2 most common types of diabetes diagnosed are-

-Type 1 Diabetes
-Type 2 Diabetes

 What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects around 10% of people with diabetes.
Whilst it can occur at any age, it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults

-In this condition, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed, leading to an inability to produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections daily to regulate their blood glucose levels.

-Insulin is an essential hormone that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells and provide energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the body still produces glucose from the carbohydrates in food and drink, but the glucose cannot enter the cells due to a lack of insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels.

 What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disorder caused by the body’s inability to respond to insulin correctly, known as insulin resistance.

-Too much glucose collects in the blood when the body cannot use insulin effectively, leading to a diagnosis of diabetes if blood sugar levels are 126 mg/dl or higher after fasting for 8 hours.

-It is the most common form of diabetes and can be influenced by factors such as family history, genes, low activity level, poor diet, and excess weight around the waist. The aim of treatment is to reduce blood sugar levels and prevent complications by managing the disease with the help of medication and lifestyle changes

Type 1 Diabetes Symptoms include:
-Feeling thirstier than usual
-Increased Urination
-Unusual bed wetting in children
-Increased hunger pangs
-Unnatural weight loss
-Sudden mood changes and irritation
-Feeling tired and weak
-Having blurry vision

 Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms include a range of Type 1 Symptoms along with:

-Headaches
-Loss of Consciousness
-Slowed healing of wounds
-Red, swollen, tender gums
-Tingling hands and feet

 

Causes of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes Causes:

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly targets and eliminates cells in the pancreas responsible for producing insulin. This process can take place over an extended period, ultimately resulting in a complete lack of insulin. The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not yet fully understood, but a strong genetic component is suspected.

The likelihood of developing the disease without a family history is low, at about 0.4%. However, if a biological parent has Type 1 diabetes, the risk increases to-

-1-4% for a mother

-3-8% for a father

-30% if both parents

Scientists believe that certain triggers, such as viruses or environmental toxins, may activate the immune system to attack the pancreas in individuals with a genetic susceptibility to Type 1 diabetes.

 Type 2 Diabetes Causes:

Type 2 diabetes is a growing health concern in India, with an estimated 72 million people living with the disease. The causes of type 2 diabetes are complex and multifactorial, but certain risk factors have been identified that increase the likelihood of developing the disease.

-Obesity and excess weight are one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes in India

India has one of the highest rates of obesity in the world, and this is a major contributing factor to the diabetes epidemic. Being overweight or obese increases the amount of insulin required to regulate blood sugar levels, and over time, the body becomes less able to produce enough insulin to keep up with demand.

 Some of the other identified causes are related to

 -Lack of physical activity
-Excess consumption of Sugar
-Consumption of High Caloric Foods

-Type 2 Diabetes can also be impacted through genetics. People with a family history of diabetes are at an increased risk of developing the disease.

-With an increase in age, the risk of Type 2 Diabetes increases as well. As people age, their bodies become less able to produce and use insulin effectively, which increases the risk of developing diabetes.

 

What is HbA1c Test?

Haemoglobin is a kind of molecule that is present in red blood cells and helps in carrying oxygen to the body’s tissue.
The full form of  hba1c is Haemoglobin A1c or HbA1c.
Glycosylated Haemoglobin(HbA1c) is a form of haemoglobin that contains sugar.
This is something that’s made when the glucose (sugar) in your body sticks to your red blood cells. Your body can’t use the sugar properly, so more of it sticks to your blood cells and builds up in your blood. Red blood cells are active for around 2-3 months, which is why the reading is taken quarterly.
The HbA1c test measures how much glucose is bound.

Need to measure HbA1c Test

Early detection and treatment of diabetes is crucial in preventing or delaying complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and blindness.
Prediabetics, Borderline Cases and Diabetic Patients are recommended to take the HbA1c test as an essential step in managing and maintaining one’s health.
The HbA1c test is a significant diagnostic and monitoring tool that measures a person’s average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. 

When to take an HbA1c Test?

People with diabetes and pre-diabetes should get their HbA1c tested every three months.
HbA1c is measured to diagnose and monitor diabetes, assess the effectiveness of diabetes management strategies, and screen for pre-diabetes or diabetes in people with risk factors.

The test is recommended for people with:
-Symptoms of Diabetes
-Risk Factors for Diabetes
-Family history of Diabetes

It is advisable to consult with a doctor to determine how frequently you should take an HbA1c test based on your health condition.

How to take an HbA1c Test?

The HbA1c test is usually performed in a doctor’s office or lab and does not require special preparation or fasting, unlike other blood sugar tests.

The test can be done by :
-Drawing blood from veins
-By a finger-prick

Although the results of the finger-prick method may be less accurate in comparison to the former method.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, the finger-prick method will likely be used. It is important to continue taking your medications as prescribed before the test.

Normal People
For people without diabetes, studies suggest that maintaining an HbA1c level below 7% may help reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. A healthy individual typically has an HbA1c level below 6% of their total hemoglobin, with a normal value for non-diabetic adults being below 6.0%, or below 42 mmol/mol.

PreDiabetic People
You are a pre-diabetic person if your blood sugar levels are slightly higher than the normal range. Your diabetes levels are not too high to be considered type-2 diabetes. With a proper lifestyle and diet management, you can control your diabetes at this level and can attain a normal range of HbA1c values is 6.0% to 6.4%, or 42 to 47 mmol/mol.

Diabetic People
If you have been diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, a normal range of HbA1c levels is 6.5% or above, which is equivalent to 48 mmol/mol or above. However, maintaining this range may require medical guidance, medication, and lifestyle changes. If your HbA1c level exceeds this range, it can increase your risk of various complications, including heart stroke, peripheral artery disease, glaucoma, diabetic foot, diabetic kidney disease, and others.

HbA1C results tell you what percentage of your hemoglobin is coated with glucose. The percent ranges are just a guide to what is normal. What’s normal for you depends on your health, age, and other factors. Ask your provider what HbA1C percentage is healthy for you.

Causes of High HbA1c Levels

A high HbA1c level indicates poor blood sugar control over the past 2-3 months, and the most common cause of this is diabetes. Other factors that can contribute to a high HbA1c level include

-Smoking
-Gum Disease
-Sleep Disorders
-Chronic Inflammation
-Obesity
-Physical inactivity
-A diet high in carbohydrates and sugar
-Medical conditions such as anaemia and kidney disease. 

Stress, illness, and certain medical procedures can also temporarily affect blood sugar levels and contribute to a high HbA1c level.

Risks Associated with High HbA1c Levels

Uncontrolled Glucose Levels in the body are an indication of elevated HbA1c Levels.
Excess sugar in the blood can cause oxidative stress, leading to damage to various organs and even DNA, which may potentially lead to gene mutation and cancer.

Failure to manage high blood sugar levels may lead to various complications such as-
-Kidney Disease
-Cardiovascular Disease
-Blindness
-Nerve Disorder
-Fatigue
-Bone loss, etc

If your HbA1c values are higher than 7.5%, it is essential to take action to lower it to normal levels. Failure to do so can result in several problems.

Does a High HbA1c Level always mean Diabetes?

High HbA1c results do not necessarily mean that you have high diabetes. This is because many people have different types of haemoglobin, apart from type A, which is what the HbA1c test measures. This is called hemoglobinopathy, and it can result in high or low HbA1c values.

Being anemic or having an iron deficiency can also affect the accuracy of your HbA1c results. This can also lead to incorrect values on the average of 3-month diabetes test. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are not anemic if you want to get an accurate average of your blood glucose tests done over 3 months.

Certain medications and supplements such as Vitamin C or E supplements, iron, vitamin B12, folate supplements, erythropoietin therapy, aspirin, antiviral and antimicrobial medicines can also affect alter your HbA1c results

To diagnose or rule-out diabetes a blood glucose test should be performed in such cases.
If you do not have diabetes, your doctor may order another type of lab test to identify the root cause of high HbA1c levels.

How Ayurveda helps in reducing HbA1c levels?

Ayurveda, an alternative method of medicine, focuses on overall holistic well-being rather than specific symptoms and has a healing link with diabetes.
In Ayurveda, diabetes is referred to as Madhumeha or “sweet urine,” while diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus are referred to as Vata Prameha and Kapha Prameha, respectively. These conditions arise due to imbalances in the Vata Dosha and Kapha Dosha, two of the three functional energies in the body.
Ayurveda identifies
-physical inactivity
-excessive sleep including daytime napping
-consumption of sweet foods
-excessive use of curds.

The goal of Ayurvedic treatment is to manage the condition from its root.

Ayurveda helps reduce HbA1C levels and manage diabetes better by taking a holistic approach

The same is achieved through
-Dietary Changes
-Lifestyle Changes

Dietary Changes

Ayurvedic principles suggest that an imbalance in the doshas is responsible for any ailment in the body, including diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an imbalance in the Vata dosha, while
Type 2 diabetes is caused by an excess of the Kapha dosha. It is essential to consume low-fat meals, avoid dairy products, and opt for almond, soy, or skimmed milk and low-fat yoghurt.

Anti Diabetic properties can be found in a bunch of household spices to manage diabetes naturally as-
-Turmeric
-Mustard
-Asafoetida
-Cinnamon, etc.

Ayurveda also recommends incorporating certain foods into a diabetes diet to control sugar levels such as-
-Bitter gourd
-Bengal gram
-Bitter melon
-Fenugreek seeds
-Indian gooseberry
-Jamun
-Bay leaf, mango leaves,etc

Lifestyle Changes

Impact of Yoga in Managing Diabetes
Starting with Yoga can be a great option if you’re not used to exercising or working out, due to its numerous health benefits. Practicing yoga can help control blood sugar and increase insulin sensitivity in cells, making it an effective exercise for managing diabetes.
Plus, it’s easy to start since there are plenty of online courses and guides available that cover yoga asanas for diabetes

In addition to helping reduce blood sugar, yoga has a list of other benefits as-

Reducing stress levels: Stress can cause an imbalance in blood sugar levels, leading to hypertension, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and insulin resistance. Practicing yoga can have a therapeutic effect and effectively reduce stress levels, thereby helping to control diabetes.

Protecting cardiac health: Yoga can reduce risk factors for heart problems, such as cholesterol levels, body mass index, and blood pressure. Regular yoga practice can lead to a decrease in changes in blood vessels that are responsible for heart problems, thus minimizing the risk of heart diseases associated with diabetes.

Preventing the risk of diabetic neuropathy: Neuropathy, the damage to one or more nerves, is one of the most common complications of diabetes. It starts with tingling in the hands and feet and may result in altered functioning of internal organs. Practicing yoga for diabetes for 20-30 minutes every day can help improve nerve conduction, boost metabolism, hormone levels, and glucose levels, thereby improving nerve health.

Boosting strength and balance: Several yoga poses improve the strength, balance, and flexibility of your body. Body strength and balance reduce liver fat and improve blood sugar levels in people with obesity and type-2 diabetes.

So, is yoga good for diabetes? Yes, absolutely! It’s a form of exercise that can positively impact your health in many ways. Yoga can aid in weight loss, reduce stress levels, and the benefits of daily meditation can improve mental health and determination. These improvements can help you make the lifestyle changes necessary to keep your diabetes under control.

How can Kapiva Dia Free Juice help manage Type 2 Diabetes?

Kapiva Dia Free Juice is proven to reduce Blood-Sugar in Type-2 diabetes patients by 25-30% in just 3 months.

How does Kapiva Dia Free Juice work?

Kapiva Dia Free Juice is made of 11 Ayurvedic Ingredients known to aid the all-round management of diabetes and improvement in the quality of life. These ingredients are sourced carefully to ensure superior quality of the juice, keeping the following in mind. 

Right Time of Cultivation: Needed to ensure the presence of the right phyto-actives in the ingredients

Right Formulation: Prepared by top Researchers and Experts in the field 

Below are the functions of the constituent ingredients of Dia Free Juice

1. Karela: Contains a polymer called Polypeptide-P which mimics the properties of insulin and helps convert blood-sugar into energy.
2. Jamun: Contains alkaloids and antimellin which halts the conversion of starch in food into sugar.
3. Amla: The Amla used in Dia Free Juice contains active ingredients that help in detox of the gut from free radicals. This boosts the effectiveness of other ingredients in reducing blood-sugar levels. Also helps with digestion or bloating issues caused by diabetes.  
4. Giloy: Promotes insulin secretion and regulates glucose in blood
5. Neem: Delays the peak rise of blood-sugar after taking food
6. Belpatra: Bel leaves contain scopoletin and sitosterol which prevent the rise of blood-sugar levels
7. Methi: The presence of high fiber-content aids the reduction of blood-sugar
8. Vijaysar: Proven to aid the lowering of HbA1c levels
9. Gudmar: Known to repair and regenerate pancreatic beta-cells that are responsible for the secretion of insulin, thus aiding increased insulin production
10. Kutki: Helps prevent damage to cell and tissue damage under diabetic condition

Tulasi: Also known for its antihyperglycemic activities, i.e. lowers glucose-levels in blood

Expected Results

People suffering from Type-2 Diabetes and looking for a natural remedy to manage it in a holistic way should take Dia Free Juice regularly for at least 3 months. The recommended dosage is 30ml of the juice mixed with a glass of water to be taken twice a day. On consuming in this manner, they may expect:

1. Reduction in Blood-Sugar Levels
2. Reduction in HbA1c levels
3. Improvement in Kidney and Pancreas Health
4. Improvement in Energy Levels
5. Stabilization of Blood Sugar Fluctuations
6. Relief from Bloating
7. Relief from issues like excessive thirst, urination or constipation

Can Kapiva Dia Free Juice be trusted?

An Ayush-approved open-label, single-arm clinical study was conducted to test the effectiveness of Dia Free Juice in the management of Diabetes Mellitus. The clinical study was in compliance with the requirements of ICMR ethical guidelines, GCP (Good clinical practices), and schedule Y. Subjects with Type-2 diabetes were asked to take 30ml Dia Free Juice with 200ml water twice daily for 3 months. Apart from fasting and postprandial (PP) Blood Sugar, it was also found to be effective in reducing HbA1c levels by at least 1 unit in 3 months.

Regular customers of Dia Free Juice have also reported having experienced relief from peripheral ailments of the condition, such as fatigue, nerve sensitivity, random blood-sugar fluctuations, constipation issues, etc.

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-Dr. Avinash Gupta

-Ms. Seema’s Diabetic Care Journey

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