Garlic
Garlic or its constituents have been found in scientific trials to lower blood sugar in diabetes. This vegetable is rich in potassium, which effectively replaces potassium, lost in large quantities in the urine by diabetics. It also contains zinc and sulphur, which are constituents of insulin. Some authorities believe that low levels of zinc may be one of the factors responsible for the onset of diabetes. Garlic also contains manganese, a deficiency of which can contribute towards diabetes.
Garlic has other benefits for diabetics, besides lowering blood sugar. It prevents atherosclerosis, which is a common complication of diabetes. Diabetics can take the equivalent of one or two clove of garlic a day in their diet in any form they liked, such as raw garlic, cooked in food, and capsules. The best way to take garlic, however, is to chew it thoroughly in raw form first thing in the morning.
Grapefruit
The grapefruit occupies a high place among the citrus fruits because of its flavor, its appetising properties and its refreshing qualities. It is an important health-builder and a tonic. It is an anti-diabetic food of great value. Dr. Joe Shelby Riley, a well-known authority on nutrition believes that it is a splendid food for diabetes and if this fruit is eaten more liberally, there would be much less diabetes.
According to him, if a person has sugar, he should use grapefruits three times a day and if a person does not have sugar, but a tendency towards it and wants to prevent it, he should use the fruit three times a day. Simultaneously, he should reduce starches, sweets and fats and eat more fruits and vegetables and juices. In two weeks this will eliminate sugar when not taking insulin. When taking insulin, it takes longer.
Indian Gooseberry
Indian gooseberry is a wonderful fruit and one of the precious gifts of nature to man. It is probably the richest known natural source of antioxidant vitamin C, which is readily assimilated by the human system. It thus contributes greatly towards good health.
Indian gooseberry is an ideal food medicine for diabetes. A tablespoon of its juice, mixed with a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, taken daily for two months, will stimulate the Islets of Langerhans and enable them to secrete natural insulin. It thus reduces the blood sugar in diabetes. Diet restrictions should be strictly observed while taking this medicine. It will also prevent eye complications in diabetes.
Isphagula
Ispaghula also known as spogel seeds, is an almost stemless small herb covered with dense or soft hairy growth. The medicinal properties of the seeds arise chiefly from the large amount of mucilage and albuminous matter present in them. This herb is an anti-diabetic food and its use has been found beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. It helps control blood sugar in diabetics by inhibiting the excessive absorption of sugars from the intestines.
Isphagula can be taken in the form of seeds or in the form of husk, which is the dry seed-coat of the plant, obtained by crushing the seeds and separating the husk by winnowing. The husk has the same properties as seeds. It has an added advantage that there is no risk of mechanical obstruction or irritation in alimentary canal by the husk. The husk, therefore, is taken without any presoaking and is easier to use than the whole seeds.