Tag Archives: diabetes
January 29, 2014

A few days ago, a friend of mine sent me some write-ups on apple and diabetes which he had received from a diabetic.  He wanted to know if the information was right and accepted in our fraternity.  The diabetic, in his write-ups, claimed that apple can control / cure diabetes, and eliminate pills and insulin.  The author of this claim had experimented upon himself by consuming apples daily on an empty stomach, along with regular walks and dietary changes like avoiding sweets.  He found that his blood glucose levels dropped and he was able to maintain the normal glucose levels for some time.  This person now propagates ‘apple therapy’ to whoever is willing to take his advise. 

It all sounds good and I’m sure this diabetic’s intentions are positive and he means well.  But, if diabetes was a simple problem with a simple cure, the world would have wiped out diabetes by now.  Unfortunately, it’s never so easy.  The overall lifestyle can certainly make a big difference in blood glucose control but a single fruit cannot.  Or, even if apple intake does help a few people, there are a lot more reasons involved (known and unknown).  Also, a fruit doesn’t become a universal solution to a long-standing problem.

Go ahead and chew on an apple by all means, but do not expect it to resolve issues related to your blood glucose.

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January 13, 2014

Those of you who went for the Coffee Santhe at the beautiful boulevard on MG Road, Bangalore, would have smelt, sipped and admired the coffee varieties and other goodies there.  It was a treat to see the coffee video, listen to the coffee story, experience the different flavours of coffee, and admire the various ways in which coffee can be a part of our lives.  Coffee jewelry, coffee flavoured desserts, coffee furniture, varieties of kaapi and coffee vied for attention. 

The health brochures on coffee brought out by the Coffee Board caught my attention.  A brochure on coffee & Parkinson’s says that there could be an inverse relationship between coffee drinking and the development of Parkinson’s although the mechanism of action is yet to be identified.  Another brochure quoted a study to say that men who drank 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day had lesser risk of gall bladder stones.  The brochure on coffee and diabetes said that there could be a protective mechanism of coffee against type 2 diabetes, although this area requires much more research and is currently inconclusive.

While coffee is definitely coming back into the limelight, most research studies are being done in the western countries.  The effects of coffee on health seen there might not necessarily apply to us or vice versa.  India has a large coffee-drinking population and it would be worthwhile to run studies in our country to understand the true efficacy on health.

Meanwhile, if you’re a coffee drinker enjoy it but keep the intake to 2 cups a day.

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April 25, 2013

After I posted the last piece on Foot Problems in Diabetics 2 days ago, I received a couple of emails asking for information on preventing the problems.  So, here are simple steps to take care of your feet, especially if you are diabetic –

  • Keep a check on your blood sugar levels and maintain it within normal limits.
  • Check your feet everyday.
  • Wash them daily and keep them clean.
  • Keep the skin soft and smooth.
  • Wear well fitting shoes always.  Use socks or slippers at home, so that they are better protected at all times.
  • Protect your feet from extreme heat and cold conditions.
  • Visit a podiatrist (foot specialist) if you have any problems.

Do not neglect the health of your feet!

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April 23, 2013

Diabetics are more prone to problems in their feet than non-diabetics.  If left untreated, it can lead to amputation.  There are several reasons for diabetics to develop foot problems……

  1. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
  2. Poorly fitted shoes.
  3. Reduced blood circulation in the feet due to hardening of the arteries.
  4. Injury (either external or internal) to the foot.
  5. Fungal infection.
  6. Walking barefoot, specially on uneven surface.
  7. Smoking, which causes damage to the small blood vessels in the feet.
  8. Improper care of feet.
  9. Foot deformities.
  10. Lack of awareness of diabetic foot care.

If you, your family member, or friend has diabetes, ensure that the feet are not neglected. 

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April 5, 2013

A recent news item said that Samoa Air will charge the passengers according to their weight. It’s the first airline to do so.  Although, not many people across the globe fly this airline, perhaps there’s a message in this decision – you’re better off with less weight.

Talking about weight, when was the last time you weighed yourself on a weighing machine?  If you know your weight in kg and your height in meters, apply this formula to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) – weight (in kg) / height (in meters squared).  If your BMI falls within 23, your weight is normal.  If your BMI is above 23, you are overweight and need to reduce.  Excess weight increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, adult diabetes, some types of cancer, osteoarthritis, and many other health problems.

Check your weight at least once a month and maintain it within the normal range.

 

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