Diabetes Complications - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which there is inadequate metabolism of glucose in the blood because of a reduced production of insulin. This results in excessive glucose in the blood which has an adverse effect on the entire body. Diabetes mellitus results in complications which affect the heart, kidneys, eyes, gums, nerves, skin, extremities, gastrointestinal system and the brain. This article deals with the Ayurvedic treatment of different complications resulting from diabetes.

Diabetes carries an increased risk of heart attack and stroke because of an increased tendency for atherosclerosis.

Medicines use to treat this condition are: Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Arogya-Vardhini, Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Sunthi (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Lashuna (Allium sativum), Psyllium (Plantago ovata), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) and Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). These medicines need to be given on a long term basis and are very useful in reducing cholesterol, lipids and atherosclerosis.

Diabetes can cause inflammation and damage to the kidneys, resulting in nephropathy and kidney failure in the long run. In order to prevent renal damage and failure, medicines like Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, Gomutra-Haritaki, Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Bhrungraj (Eclipta Alba), Shilajit (Purified bitumen), Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera), Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Patol (Tricosanthe dioica) are used.

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to early blindness. In order to prevent or reduce this risk, medicines like Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Saptamrut-Loh, Triphala-Ghrut, Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu, Haridra (Curcuma longa), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Saariva and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) are used.

Diabetes affects the central nervous system by disturbing the blood supply to the nerves, thereby causing inflammation and damage to the nerves. This can be prevented or treated using medicines like Tapyadi-Loh, Ekang-Veer-Ras, Dashmoolarishta, Vish-Tinduk-Vati, Yashtimadhuk, Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica) and Nirgundi (Vitex negundo). This pathology also affects the gastrointestinal system, manifesting as alternating diarrhea and constipation or abdominal distention. Medicines used to treat these symptoms are: Kutaj-Parpati, Panchamrut-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati.

People with diabetes are more prone to skin diseases and injury to the extremities, specially the feet. This can be prevented using medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Gandhak-Rasayan and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu. Adequate hygiene needs to be maintained and wounds need to be treated properly till they heal completely. Chronic depression is another common problem related to diabetes which can be treated using medicines like Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Vacha (Acorus calamus). Maintenance of oral hygiene is important and medicines like Bakul (Aconitum ferox), Kattha (Acacia catechu), Lavang (Carophyllus aromaticus), Supari (Areca catechu) and Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum) are used to keep the gums clean and reduce inflammation and infection.

Needless to say, all the above mentioned medicines can have maximum therapeutic effect only if there is an adequate control of diabetes mellitus. Medicines like Haridra, Amalaki, Mamejva (Enicostemma littorale), Gudmar (Gymnema Sylvester) and Vijaysaar (Pterocarpus marsupium) can be used for this purpose.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form, which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.

Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 24 years and clinical research experience of 10 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.

By Abdulmubeen Mundewadi

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New Research Shows Cocoa Can Help Diabetics' Hearts

For people with diabetes, indulging in cocoa could be a way to improve their health naturally -- and deliciously. The reason? Flavanols, plant compounds found in cocoa (as well as in tea, red wine, and certain fruits and vegetables), help blood vessels to function better and could help prevent cardiovascular in disease, according to new research published in the June 3 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

An international team of scientists gave diabetic patients high-flavanol cocoa for one month and found blood vessel function went from severely impaired to normal in some people. Overall, the research subjects experienced a 30 percent improvement in measured vessel function at the completion of a 30-day trial. This is very significant, the researchers noted, because cardiovascular disease is the top cause of death in diabetic patients. In fact, the improvement in health noted with cocoa supplementation was about the same as that documented with exercise and even with many common drugs used to treat diabetics.

"Medical treatments alone often do not prevent complications of diabetes that are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease," researcher Malte Kelm, M.D., chairman of cardiology, pulmonology and vascular medicine at the University Hospital Aachen and the Technical University Aachen, in Aachen, Germany, stated in a press release. "Physicians should be increasingly looking to lifestyle changes and new approaches to help in addressing the cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes."

More than 20 million Americans have diabetes, according to the National Diabetes Association, and vascular impairments associated with the disease can eventually lead to heart disease and stroke, despite good diabetes control and medical treatment.

"We are still seeing the devastating complications of diabetes with the standard medical treatments available, so we are increasingly looking to lifestyle changes and new approaches to help address risks associated with diabetes," co-researcher Paul Zimmet, MD, PhD, Director of the International Diabetes Institute in Australia, said in a prepared statement for the press about the study. "While more research is needed, this study shows tremendous potential for future flavonol-based applications."

In an editorial discussing the evidence cocoa can significantly help the cardiovascular systems of diabetics, Umberto Campia, M.D., a research associate with MedStar Research Institute in Washington, D.C., writes: "We now have sizeable evidence that cocoa flavanols have a positive effect on the health of the arteries. This is the foundation we need for doing a much larger prospective study that looks at the effect of cocoa flavanols not just on endothelial function, but also on the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious forms of cardiovascular disease."

Earlier published research conducted by Harvard Medical School scientists and the Mars company has shown that flavanol-rich unprocessed cocoa reduces the risks of cancer as well as heart disease.
(By: Sherry Baker)

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Cinnamon extract shown to reduce oxidative stress of metabolic syndrome

A new study from U.S. researchers has found that daily supplementation with a cinnamon extract may boost the body's antioxidants, which can lessen the oxidative stress associated with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome affects roughly 32 percent of U.S. adults, and is characterized by obesity -- especially around the midsection -- hypertension and reduced metabolism of both glucose and insulin. The syndrome is associated with an increased risk in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The study's lead researcher, Dr. Anne-Marie Roussel from the Joseph Fourier University in France, recruited 24 participants with impaired fasting glucose levels for a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were split into two randomly assigned groups: The first received a daily dose of 500 mg of cinnamon extract (Cinnulin PF from Integrity Neutraceuticals), and the second received a placebo for 12 weeks.

At the study's conclusion, the researchers found that in the cinnamon extract group, plasma antioxidant levels and plasma SH levels were significantly increased, compared to the placebo group. Plasma levels of a reactive compound related to oxidative stress -- malondialdehyde (MDA) -- were also lower in the cinnamon group, but remained unchanged in the placebo patients.

"This study tells us that the active compounds found in cinnamon extract may be helpful in reducing the risk of these diseases by providing cells protection from harmful oxidation," said Dr. Richard Anderson of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who collaborated on the study. "People with impaired insulin function are at a higher risk of developing life-threatening chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, the number one killer in the U.S."

Previous animal studies have linked daily consumption of cinnamon extract to reduced blood pressure and hypertension, as well as lower levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.

Consumer advocate Mike Adams, author of "How to Halt Diabetes in 25 Days," said cinnamon is widely used as a blood sugar regulator among diabetics.

"Now, with this latest study, we're learning that cinnamon also protects the body from oxidative damage," Adams said. "That makes it the perfect medicinal herb for diabetics."

(by: Jessica Fraser)

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