DIABETES is termed as a SILENT KILLER but, what is equally perturbing for DIABETICS is the side effects and Insulin resistance among the people who are taking conventional treatment for diabetes for long period. This has perhaps, triggered many people to search for long term and effective alternative systems of medicine.

AYURVEDA could be an assuring alternative. It is gaining popularity due to its greater application and importance in treating many diseases and diabetes is no exception to it. The array of treatment options offered by ayurveda through drugs, diet and panchakarma, diabetes can be managed really well to the satisfaction of both, the therapist and the one who is suffering from diabetes.

Do you want to know more about how can Ayurveda help in the treatment of DIABETES? Let us find answers to your queries from our Ayurvedic physician and Panchkarma specialitist Dr Guneet Taneja (Ayurvedacharya (BAMS), Certified Panchakarma Practitioner)

Q: How is diabetes defined in Ayurveda?

Dr Guneet Taneja: Diabetes Mellitus is a subtype of broad terminology Prameha (urinary disorders). These are twenty in number and any or all if left untreated, they age to Diabetes Mellitus. In Ayurveda, diabetics according to their physical appearance and etiology (cause) of disease are defined into two categories each: Physical (lean or obese) and etiological (genetic; same as Juvenille diabetes and acquired; which is due to lifestyle imbalances and unhealthy diet).

Q: Does Ayurveda offer any treatment for diabetes? How effective it is?

Dr Guneet Taneja: Yes, diabetes is treatable in Ayurveda. Even though diabetes is defined as Asadhya/Yapya (difficult to treat), it has been proved to improve the longevity, immunity and overall health of the patients many folds. Moreover, early insulin dependent can be freed from Insulin dependency on timely treatment.

Q: What treatments are available in Ayurveda?

Dr Guneet Taneja: Ayurvedic medicines are given to target the liver to aid better glucose metabolism and pancreas to stimulate its beta cells to promote healthy production of insulin. As insulin secretion improves, it also improves the peripheral sensitivity of the cells so that they are more sensitive to insulin and produce adequate amounts of it. In turn, it takes care of your insulin production and sugar metabolism, keeping your blood sugar levels to normal.

In lean patients, the treatment requires santarpan (restoration in which healthy tissue growth is promoted). In this case, the patient may require insulin simultaneously. Whereas, diabetes occurring in obese patients, requires aptarpan (fat reduction in which the extra cellular fluid and fatty tissue growth is reduced). In this case, the insulin may not be required.

In both the cases it is very important to maintain a balance of nutrition along with the treatment to keep healthy immunity levels, so as to avoid any late stage complications.

Apart from oral medications, an extensive approach to detoxify the patient is taken, which authentically is termed as