Every diabetic goes through a time period in which his sugar levels are well controlled, he is able to follow the diet prescribed, carry out walking etc. Then what goes wrong? It is the flawed diet and body developing drug tolerance. Slowly patient who is complacent with good sugar controls, craves for some foods. Previously hunger signal used to be there when sugar reached say a level of 70 mg/dl. Now the same signal is received at a level 130 mg/dl. This is craving, a vikara of mind. Science can not attach body with mind. Author tries to explain in what follows.
A large percentage of diabetcis crave sugar, carbohydrates; these are not true eating disorders, but instead are signs of hormonal imbalance caused by a lack of balanced nutrition or aging. Same thing happens during pregnancy, where God is taking care of the baby.
Food cravings indicate that nervous system wiring has become leaky, like an automobile battery exhausts itself if left unused, especially in monsoons. When we are exhausted, we have low blood sugar and/or low serotonin, and the body signals the brain that it needs a pick-me-up. This signal causes a desire to go for sugar or carbohydrate.Serotonin is our basic feel-good hormone, if it is low, we feel sad
or depressed. Hormonal imbalance or weak digestion can lead to low serotonin. That is why peri or post menopausal women become easily irritated. Sugars and simple carbohydrates release a short burst of serotonin giving us a high for a moment, but soon return to our low- serotonin state — causing more craving for sugar and simple
carbohydrates. It's a downward spiral. It is this spiral in which all women on anti-depressants get trapped and become obese soon, go in the range where even ayurveda becomes helpless. The addition of proteins gives adequate inertial stability to sugar levels, but added advantage is that sugar with proteins makes glycoproteins, tuning up cellular communication to aid the fertility too.
Using low-fat diet in the hope of losing weight, can make the problem worse without knowing. Many fad diets can make us at least partially insulin resistant.
Insulin maintains stable blood sugar levels by acting as catalyst and telling the cells when to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Resistance of the cells to respond to insulin, and instead grab every calorie it can and deposits it as fat is what is understood by Insulin resistance. Birth control pills, steroids, anti-depressants and many other medication boosts the insulin resistance. Anti-fungal creams containing betamethasone also contribute to insulin resistance, most of us use them innocently. Do not ask the evidence, do your own research. Noadays medical journals are available online. While essential fatty acids through fish oils are recommended, the chances of the poisoning of the nervous system from pollutants in fatty fishes should be ruled out first. No matter how little we eat, gradual weight gain is the result from insulin resistance. And as cells cannot absorb the glucose they need, they signal brain that more carbohydrates or sugars are needed. The result is persistent food cravings. Worse, insulin resistance leads
directly to obesity, PCOS/diabetes, and heart disease. Inadequate ayurvedic protocol after childbirth also sets in insulin resistance, evidenced by non return of belly to original shape, and not regaining pre-pregancy weight after end of nursing.
Dieting itself is stressful to the body. We must heal our metabolism first before even considering weight loss.
Adrenal fatigue is another cause of food cravings. A great deal of stress from being infertile, insomnia or sleep deprivation, modern jobs which require computers before you bring in exhaustion much of the time. Perimenopausal women often exhibit this. This leads to adrenal fatigue or outright adrenal exhaustion, which in turn signals the body it needs a pick-me-up. We may resort to sugar or carbohydrate snacks or coffee during the day and carbohydrates or alcohol at night, all of which exacerbate the problem.
If we blame themselves for food cravings, the need for serotonin increases by worsening mood. A pattern of emotional eating can develop now. Though there are are biological causes of sugar/carbohydrate cravings(worms, pregnancy, yeast infection) , the root cause is more often inadequate nutrition rather than behavioral problem.
Walking early morning reduces cravings. Why? find it out yourself.Metabolism heals itself when provided with the necessary nutritional support. The process can take some time, but it will happen. The good news is — you don't have to give up Carbs! See e.g.
Author experienced good results with specialized Panchkarma. Cravings reduced for spicy, sugary, simple carbs, fried, flavor foods. Insulin requirements also reduced. This success was mentioned in earlier postings.
Since the regimen is patient specific, requires to be done only under supervision.
Now the question regarding body-mind may be arising in readers mind. Glands, mind, cravings... all are the different facets of our mind-body connection. Why hunger disappears if there is a trauma of sudden death of a loved one? Why libido increases and sexual fluids secretions start when you get aroused by sight, thought, smell, touch? In the same manner, insulin resistance is affected by our feelings of stess, happines, bliss. Hence even meditation can be used to reduce insulin resistance. Is not love a form of meditating on the image, memory of his/her talk, touch, smell? IF love after four menopausal years can cause ovulation and pregnancy, similar state of mind can reactivate insulin receptors and pancreas. All that is needed is guided detoxification, spiritual medicine like Panchagavya and special breathing techniques.
By Dr.Shirish bhate @ http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ayurvedaonline/messag/11501
