PharmEasy Blog

Cinnamon for Diabetes: Can it Ease The Symptoms?

Nature is abundant with medicinal herbs that can treat conditions ranging from the common cold to the dreaded high blood pressure. But does it have an answer for diabetics as well? Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar levels rise above normal levels and cannot be self-regulated by the body. High blood sugar levels for a prolonged period impact the kidneys and nervous system and may even lead to loss of vision.Cinnamon, used as a spice in traditional Chinese and Indian cuisine, has shown to be useful in managing blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics.Type 2 diabetes is a condition where either the body stops producing insulin or becomes resistant to the effect of insulin. Without insulin, the body can no longer absorb and store the excess sugar from the bloodstream. Read more about the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.Cinnamon has shown to increase the insulin sensitivity of the body, thereby helping the organs to absorb excess sugar from the blood and slowly use it, thus regulating blood sugar levels.Research has shown that cassia cinnamon is useful in managing sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is significant because almost 80% of the people who have diabetes have type 2 diabetes.Cassia cinnamon is darker, more aromatic, and harder than Ceylon cinnamon. It has a woody texture, is peppery, and has a spicy-sweet aromatic flavour.Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of cassia cinnamon in controlling blood sugar levels.Cinnamon, however, is a highly potent spice and should never be consumed by itself, as it can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. Ensure you have cinnamon with some food or tea and never just by itself.Consume a teaspoon of cinnamon with honey along with meals. Cinnamon tea prepared by boiling cinnamon sticks is another idea you can try.Although studies have shown the effectiveness of cassia cinnamon in controlling type 2 diabetes, there is not adequate research or evidence to use cinnamon as an alternative to medication.Consult your doctor before you start taking cinnamon on a regular basis and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Cinnamon can be dangerous for the liver and is not compatible with certain medicines.Read More: 5  Diet Tips for DiabetesDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Slow Down Your Eating To Speed Up Your Weight Loss

In the management of diabetes, weight loss plays a critical role and therefore it’s necessary to decode questions associated with it. This article will not only help you clear off doubts associated with body weight in type 2 diabetes management, but also suggest simple and easy ways to manage your weight.

Question 1: Is there a connection between body weight and type 2 diabetes?

Answer 1: Yes, though not always excess body weight is an important risk for developing type 2 diabetes or high blood sugar. More than 80% (approximately) of the people with diabetes are above their ideal weight.

Question 2: How does excess weight affect normal blood glucose control?

Answer 2: Excess weight can lead to improper control of blood sugar because:

Question 3: Has it been shown that weight loss improves diabetes control and reduces the risk of complications?

Answer 3: Yes, there is plenty of data from diabetic patients validating that the reduction of fat can help control diabetes and reduce the risk of its complications.

Weight loss, therefore, is important for the management of diabetes and reducing the risk of its complications. Some suggestive changes in your daily routine, which can help in reducing fat, are listed below.

Also Read: Best Fruits for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Guide

Simple but effective ways to reduce excessive fat:

  1. Eat soon after you brush in the morning. Start with some dry fruits like walnut or black raisins or almonds not soaked just washed.
  2. Most importantly do not eat after 8 pm or at least 2 hours before going to sleep.
  3. Eating fast induces weight gain four times faster than normal speed-eating (approx. 20 min per meal). So, eat slowly, chew more, and gain less!   Chew your food approximately 30 times per bite.
  4. Diet content suggestions:
  5. Another step to reduce weight is a 45-minute brisk walk for 45-minutes on a flat path/road at an approximate speed of 100 steps per minute. You can split it into three 15 minute walks. If not walking right after a meal, do it after at least   15 minutes.

Diabetes is a lifestyle disease but it is shrouded in myths. Debunk Diabetic Myths here. The best way to approach Diabetes is to follow the doctor’s advice thoroughly. Here is why. If you are planning a vacation or need to travel, try this checklist!

Also Read: Opting For Healthy Noodles: A Comprehensive Guide

Read More: 8 Effective Exercises for Weight Loss

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Stay Cool This Summer With 4 Diabetes-Friendly Drinks

Summer is here, and it’s time for some refreshing drinks, natural fruits, and energizing foods. It is well-known that sugar is a great energizer, which is why soft drinks and juices are so coveted during hot summer days. However, it is evident that people with diabetes cannot consume sugary drinks like non-diabetics.

Keeping that in mind, Ms Alka Lohia of 6meal. has come up with some refreshing, nourishing, and energizing coolers that are healthy and do not cause a spike in blood sugar levels. They are perfect for diabetics as well as non-diabetics, because of the natural ingredients they contain.

Check out Ms Lohia’s top summer coolers and smoothies for diabetes patients. The ingredients are easy to find, and these smart smoothies and coolers take not more than 5 minutes to make at home! Without further ado, let’s get to the recipes.

pharmeasy-diabetes-friendly-drinks-smoothie-blog

Sabza Seeds Cooler

A common ingredient in Faludas, Sabza seeds are healthy and quite popular. You can find them at your local grocer easily. This is a natural cooler that’s made primarily from Sabza seeds while offering various sweetening options. It’s a perfectly natural, diabetes-friendly concoction.

How to make

  1. First, take a teaspoon of the Sabza seeds and wash and put them in water, coconut water, or iced green tea.
  2. Shake them a little.
  3. You can add ice cubes for a more refreshing effect.
  4. To add a sweet taste to the drink, you can add some rock sugar, raw honey, or jaggery powder instead of artificial sweeteners.

What makes this drink special?

This is a very refreshing drink that keeps the blood sugar level under control. Ms Lohia says, ”As long as you take your diabetes medication on time, there’s nothing to worry about. Another thing to remember is not to confuse Sabza leaves with Tulsi leaves; this tends to happen, especially with first-time users. Sabza is also called sweet basil, which is why it often gets confused with Tulsi.” And why does she recommend Sabza? ”It has a high pH level, which is good for the body. Sabza is also  high in fibre, helps in weight loss, and can manage diabetes by preventing spikes in blood sugar level.”

Lemonade sings summer like nothing else. I recommend making your lemonade at home if you can and not adding sugar especially if you have diabetes. A genuinely delightful beverage without a single carb or calorie in sight and is made by combining water, freshly squeezed lemons, zero-calorie sweetener, and ice.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Sattu Cooler

Sattu is one of the oldest and most natural energizer foods in India. It is a powdered gram (chana). A lot of recipes are made using Sattu, including this natural, diabetes-friendly cooling drink.

Sattu is very nourishing because of its high levels of proteins and carbohydrates.

How to make

  1. To make the cooler, first, add the Sattu powder to some cold water.
  2. Add a spritz of black salt to it.
  3. Season the drink with some finely diced onion and lemon juice.

This makes for a very refreshing drink that’s instantly energizing without causing any disturbances in the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients.

I recommend creating grape or watermelon ice cubes to add flavour to your sugar-free beverages. Also, the ideal beverage is water. Make your flavoured waters by adding a touch of lemon, lime, or strawberries.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Why is Sattu so popular?

Sattu is excellent if you are feeling down or tired, as it will perk you up instantly. Especially after a rigorous workout. The reason behind this is that Sattu releases glucose into the bloodstream at a slow and steady pace, keeping you energetic for a longer time.

In the olden days, it was a staple of the working class like rickshaw pullers or labourers.

Also Read: Is Coconut Water Good for Diabetes? A Fact-Based Discussion

Flavoured Green Tea

This can be of any flavour that you like – peach, cranberry, lemon, passionfruit – the choice is yours.

How to make

  1. To start off, add some fruit to this drink, like a refreshing watermelon, mango, etc.

Tip: Be sure to pick something seasonal as that’s the healthiest option.

  1. Slice up the fruit and add it to water. Put this into an ice tray and freeze to make ice cubes.
  2. Add that to the green tea along with some mint leaves and lemon juice.

What makes flavoured green tea so popular?

Lemon juice is exceptionally refreshing and energizing, and hence a popular choice in summers. And let’s not forget that this makes for a seriously tasty drink. This is also a very versatile drink because you can add any of your favourite fruits to create different flavoured drinks.

Read More: 4 Health Benefits of Green Tea

Tip: If you don’t want to add fruit ice cubes to the green tea, you can substitute it with cucumber. Cucumber is alkaline and has high water content; it will keep you cool and hydrated.

pharmeasy-fruit-and-vegetable-diabetes-friendly-drinks

Fruits and Veggies Smoothie

This is a very interesting smoothie because it combines the goodness of fruits and vegetables, without compromising on the taste.

How to make this smoothie

  1. Take one glass of fresh coconut water.
  2. You will also need one bowl (Katori) of spinach.
  3. Take a piece of mango; it can be any mango.
  4. And finally, you will need a little bit of beetroot for some rich colour and texture.
  5. Now put all this together in a blender and blend away!

What makes this smoothie so popular?

This smoothie has a rich texture and is quite filling. The mango adds some sweetness to it, while the spinach brings in the much-needed fibres. And we all know how important coconut water is to stay hydrated. This is one of the healthiest and most filling smoothies you can make for diabetics, and it takes no more than a few minutes!

Parting Thoughts

Although these drinks are perfect for diabetic people, everyone can have them. You can play around with flavours and ingredients to create different kinds of drinks and have fun!

Read More: 4 Best Foods for Diabetic Diet

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

6 Ways To Prevent Diabetic Kidney Disease!

Diabetes is known as the ‘Silent Killer’. Apart from causing sugar imbalance in the body, it hollows out most organs from the inside. The eyes and the kidneys are the organs most susceptible to damage through diabetes. Kidneys are vital to regulate the fluid levels in the body. They are also responsible for releasing hormones that control blood pressure.

There might be many reasons why diabetes affects   kidneys so negatively. The alteration in the blood sugar taxes the kidneys as they are responsible for spewing out waste and toxins from the body.   While genes are definitely responsible for making you susceptible to develop kidney diseases, other factors like high blood pressure, steep glucose levels in the blood and diet too contribute significantly.

If you have recently developed diabetes, you will not show any symptoms of kidney disease. For those who have developed kidney malfunction, the toxins in the body build-up and the patient feels sick, lose their appetite, have fluid retention and can even suffer heart failure if left untreated.

Whether it is diabetes Type I or Type II, your kidneys get extremely vulnerable. For some patients, it takes just a decade for the kidney diseases to set in and for others, it may take up to 30 years.

So what can you do? Here are some ways in which diabetic patients can reduce the risk of kidney diseases.

Even a slightly elevated serum creatinine level can indicate presence of clinically significant kidney disease. For patients with decreased kidney function, measures to reduce or retard the progression of renal disease such as control of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia should be emphasized.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
  1. Control Your Blood Sugar

This is the most fool-proof way to thwart kidney disease. The lesser the fluctuations in your blood glucose, the better are your chances of delaying the onset of kidney disease. Kidneys are made of tiny blood vessels. Any changes in blood sugar will affect them negatively.

Read More: 10 Harmful Effects of Sugar.

  1. Follow Prescribed Diet

Your doctor will give you a diet to follow to keep your diabetes in check. You must follow the diet to ensure that your kidneys stay safe.

Read More: 5 Diet Tips For Diabetes Management.

  1. Regulate Your Blood Pressure

As is with blood sugar, fluctuating blood pressure can be fatal for your kidneys. To prevent kidney failure, try to maintain stable blood pressure.

Structural changes start occurring in the kidney of diabetic patients which is a common cause of hypertension, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure if left undiagnosed and untreated for a long time, medical attention is a must to diagnose the disease at an early stage.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
  1. Low Protein Diet

Those who are vulnerable to kidney damage are suggested a low protein diet to put less pressure on already weak kidneys. You must consult your doctor or nutritionist about the options available to you.

  1. Watch Your Weight

Weight gain can seriously affect your kidneys, more so when you have diabetes. Eat healthy food and exercise regularly to keep the weighing scales static. A diet recommended by your doctor or nutritionist will ensure that you derive maximum nutrition without increasing your weight.

  1. Regular Checkups

Get regular tests done to ensure that your kidneys are in tiptop shape. In most cases, by the time the symptoms become apparent, the damage has already been done. Many kinds of tests check your creatine and urea levels in the urine that point towards the health of your kidneys.

Also Read: What Causes Low Creatinine: Medical Experts Weigh In

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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