Diabetes is a disease in which our bodies do not produce enough "Insulin" or effective insulin. Most of the components of our meal contain sugar. When we eat food, it is broken down into simple sugar called glucose. This glucose is taken by blood and it travels there freely till it is used by the cells to produce energy.

Diabetes Treatment: Pertaining to the complications associated with diabetes, its management and control plays a very important role. The ABC of diabetes management can be described as:

Aim for the target: When you get yourself treated for diabetes, your health care provider will assign the target level of control that you should aim for. You targets should be set for:

a) blood sugar levels
b) lipid levels
c) blood pressure
d) body weight

Good diabetes control implies that the blood glucose throughout 24 hours, on each day, is at the target level determined for you. In simple terms, the blood glucose levels should be as close to these levels as is possible without exposing you to a risk of a severe attack of hypoglycemia or even to minor recurrent attacks of low blood glucose. Apart from your blood sugar levels, the blood lipids (fats), your blood pressure and your body weight should be well controlled and should be at an acceptable level.

Ideal Body Weight: Management of body weight is a very important component of diabetes management and treatment. The indicators of weight status of an individual are Body Mass Index and Waist- Hip ratio.

Body Mass Index (BMI): Body Mass Index is defined as a ratio of weight and height. Its value indicates a direct correlation with disease and death, irrespective of age and gender. A higher BMI is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteo- arthritis, high blood pressure and certain types of cancers.

Be Physically active: Researches have shown that physical activity in diabetes can:

a) lower your blood glucose and your blood pressure
b) lower your bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and raise your good cholesterol (HDL Cholesterol)
c) improve your body’s ability to use insulin
d) lower your risk for heart disease and stroke
e) keep your heart and bones strong
f) keep your joints flexible
g) help you lose weight
h) reduce your body fat
i) give you more energy
j) reduce your stress levels

Aim for at- least 30 minutes of physical activity everyday. Follow healthy lifestyle tips to be extra physically active.

Control your diet: Diet plays a significant role in controlling the diabetes. A diabetic diet may be used alone or else in combination with insulin doses or with oral hypoglycemic drugs. Main objective of the diabetic diet is to maintain ideal body weight, by providing adequate nutrition along with normal blood sugar levels in blood. The general guidelines for a diabetic diet are:

a) The basic rule for diabetics is to have a 6- meal pattern diet. That is, small meals at frequent intervals are required.
b) Balance the number of servings of carbohydrates with the help of exchange system. Ask your dietician to chart out a diet for you according to the exchange system.
c) Space carbohydrates equally through out the day
d) Make healthy choice
e) Eat plenty of whole grains like whole wheat, maize, barley and other millets.
f) A diet high in both soluble and insoluble fiber is beneficial in controlling blood sugar levels. Include more of whole grains instead of refined cereals, green leafy vegetables, other green vegetables in your diet to make it fiber- rich.
g) Eat breakfast everyday. Try having an early breakfast
h) Do not skip your meals
i) Include more of low glycemic index foods in your diet
j) Eat a variety of foods each day. Choose foods from all major food groups
k) Eat at least 5-7 different colored vegetables a day
l) Take 4-5 almonds or walnuts along with 2 figs and a handful of raisins everyday - they contain essential fatty acids and various vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.