It is a matter of concern that not only the rich but also the poor are getting increasingly affected due to sedentary life styles and bad food habits. The number of juvenile diabetes is also on the rise.

            The word diabetes is derived from a Greek word meaning “to siphon; to pass through” and mellitus comes from a Latin word “honey”. Thus the two characteristic symptoms copious urination and glucose in urine gives the name to the disease.

            Diabetes doesn’t happen overnight. It usually takes years to develop. It is know that genetic factors predispose certain people to diabetes but all of the data suggest that lifestyle factors, particularly diet and exercise can determine whether those genetic factors actually manifest in the disease. Heredity is  a major factor in the development of the disease. But it is important to note that heredity is like a cannon and obesity pulls the trigger.

            According to a common saying that it is not work but worry that kills. Grief, worry and anxiety also have a brief influence on the metabolism and may aggravate the symptoms in a diabetic individual.

            Diet and diabetes have always been intimately connected. Since what one eats has a major impact on the blood sugar and insulin, food is a prime player in triggering, exacerbating and controlling diabetes.

            Worldwide the number of cases of diabetes have been currently estimated around 150 million. This number is predicted to be double by 2025 with greatest number of cases being expected in India and China. Increases in both the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes have occurred globally. But the increases have been specially dramatic in societies in economic transition in much of the newly industrialized world and developing countries. Type 2 diabetes results from an interaction between genetic and environmental  factors. The rapidly changing incidence rates, however suggest a particularly important role for the latter as well as potential for stemming the tide of the global epidemic of the disease. Noticeable increases are occurring in societies in which there have been major changes in the type of diet consumed, reductions in physical activity, and increases in overweight and obesity. The diets concerned are typically high in fats like butter, ghee, vanaspati (saturated fats), low in fruits and vegetables, and with a higher consumption of junk foods.

Role of Diet in Prevention and Management of Diabetes

            The role of diet in healthy life-style is very important in order to combat the problem. Even in the developed world there is growing realization that the modern system of medicine alone is not able to address all the health problems particularly related to the life style diseases like diabetes.  It is in this context  that scientific wisdom contained in the traditional health care system can be made use of to find solutions to the present day problems.                                              In 1550 B.C. the famous Ebers Papyrus advised treating diabetes with high fiber wheat grains. Through the century more than four hundred plants have been prescribed as diabetic remedies. In Europe, Asia and middle east, raw onions and garlic have long been favourite.  The common edible mushroom is widely used in some parts of Europe to control diabetes. Barley bread is a common treatment in Iraq for diabetes. Cabbage, lettuce, turnips, beans, coriander seeds turned up as diabetic treatments in many cultures. Modern researches and tests have confirmed that all of them or compounds isolated from them can lower blood sugar and/or stimulate insulin in animals and humans.                       

Knowledge-house of Herbal Medicines

            The richness of Indian civilization with its glorious past has given the humanity vast knowledge about the usage of plants for food and health care. The strong tradition of health care practised and documented for more than 3000 years in the form of Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Yoga & Naturopathy systems of medicine have evolved through centuries of usage and have stood the test of times in providing holistic health care to the people and are based on a very intimate and well researched understanding that biotic and non-biotic components of the environment play in promoting holistic health care. There is growing interest in the world about the use of these systems and increasingly the developed world is prepared to adopt Indian systems. Today, Yoga has become popular the world over.

            Hence, there is an urgent need to understand Diabetes- the disease process and its etiology in Indian context to assess the disease burden and to evolve practical approaches for the control of the disease,  through diet, healthy life-style and effective Information, Education & Communication (IEC) for sustainable community participation towards combating it and achieving health for all.(Disclaimer: The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely his own )

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