Diabetes Mellitus is set to increase worldwide without appropriate prevention strategies. Woman Editor, TEMITOPE DAVID-ADEGBOYE, writes on the efficacy of herbs and nutrition as treatment options
Diabetes mellitus is usually a chronic (life-long) disease in which there is high level of sugar in the blood. It is caused by too little insulin, resistance to insulin, or both. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that diabetes mellitus affects over 366 million people worldwide, and many are without efficacious care.
A recent report by the WHO states that diabetes has tripled in the last two decades globally, with the highest prevalence rates found in developing countries. The WHO/IDF report of 2011 further alerted that diabetes will continue to be a major threat to public health beyond year 2030 and is set to increase worldwide without appropriate prevention strategies.
In Nigeria, no fewer than six million people are living with diabetes mellitus.
People with diabetes have high blood sugar because their body cannot move sugar into fat, liver and muscle cells to be stored for energy. This is because their pancreas does not make enough insulin or their cells do not respond to insulin normally, or both.
There are two major types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 can occur at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in children, teens or young adults. In this case, the body makes little or no insulin. Daily injections of insulin are needed. The exact cause is unknown.
Type 2 makes up most diabetes cases. It most often occurs in adulthood. But because of high obesity rates, teens and young adults are now being diagnosed with it. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have it.
Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar have no symptoms.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop over a short period. People may be very sick by the time they are diagnosed.
High blood sugar level can cause several symptoms, including blurry vision, excess thirst, fatigue, hunger, urinating often, weight loss.
After many years, it can lead to other serious complications which include:
*Eye problems, including trouble in seeing (especially at night), light sensitivity, and blindness in the future.
*Painful sores and infections of the leg or foot, which, if left untreated, lead to removal of the foot or leg.
*Nerves in the body can become damaged, causing pain, tingling, and a loss of feeling, problems digesting food, erectile dysfunction.
*Kidney problems, which can lead to kidney failure.
*Weakened immune system, which can lead to more frequent infections.
*Increased chance of having a heart attack or stroke.
With type 2 diabetes, treatment typically includes diet control, exercise, home blood glucose testing, and in some cases oral medication and/or insulin. Approximately 40 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections. Also, some cases of type 2 diabetes can be improved with weight-loss surgery.
There is no cure for type 1 diabetes.
The goals of diabetes treatment are to control the blood glucose levels and prevent diabetes complications.
In Nigeria, the disease is often treated with the use of herbs.
Sikiru Olowo, medical director, Olowo Trado-medical Clinic, Agbado, said, over the years, he has treated diabetic patients with a combination of herbs and ground leaves, which can be taken with either a cup of Lipton tea, water or pap, once a day.
Also, “a small cup of freshly squeezed bitter leaf plucked early in the morning, taken once a day is also good for a diabetic patient,” said Olowo.
The trado-medic, however, submitted that all the herbs used for treatment of this disease are bitter.
Also, nutritionists say when one has any type of diabetes, there is need to be very aware of not only what he eats, but also when and how much he eats.
For people with type 2 diabetes, eating two large meals a day may be better than consuming the same number of calories in six small meals.
While some nutritionists recommend small meals as a better way to control metabolism, others believe eating three larger meals is better.
Itoro Effiong-Bright, ‘Chef’ Executive Officer of Ibomsoups Ventures, said diet options for diabetic patients include unripe plantain porridge.
According to the kitchen instructor and culture ambassador, unripe plantain is rich in calcium and fibre.
“This meal helps to regulate blood sugar level. The meal can be prepared with lots of pumpkin leaves and fish,” she said, adding that it is better to prepare it without any form of oil.
“Very little salt and seasoning should be used, but a lot of crayfish can be included. A bit of red fresh pepper can be used. This will make it look appealing to the eyes.
“Another healthy option is vegetable soup prepared with pumpkin leaves. Very little salt and palm oil (it is actually better to prepare the meal without palm oil, as people with diabetes and stroke are encouraged to avoid saturated fat present in palm oil. If any form of oil must be added, olive oil is healthier).
“Well cooked chicken without skin can be added. As a complement to the vegetables soup, wheat meal or oat can be prepared – when properly blended and prepared, they are healthy solid food that can be eaten with the vegetable soup. This helps stroke and diabetes patients stay healthy.
“It is important to add a reasonable amount of fruit to their meals also. These fruits can be eaten before meals,” she said.
