When the pandemic hit, people turned to Ayurvedic and natural remedies to build their immune systems. Giloy, known for its powerful immunity-boosting properties, quickly became a popular choice and gained global renown. The herb has proven to keep immunity at its best and prevent various infections.
But did you know that, besides being an excellent immunity booster, Giloy is also highly beneficial for diabetes patients? Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of Giloy for diabetes and how to include it in your diet.
What is Giloy?
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is also known as ‘Guduchi’, and ‘Amrita’ in Hindi. The meaning of ‘Guduchi’ is “something that protects the whole body,” and ‘Amrita’ means “root of immortality”.
The plant has heart-shaped leaves that look like betel leaves and have a bitter taste. It is a most versatile herb and all its parts have been used as medicines in Ayurveda for thousands of years. However, the stem is considered to have the maximum number of health benefits because it has high nutritional content and important plant compounds like alkaloids. Other key components in Giloy are terpenoids, lignans, and steroids.
- Alkaloids give the plant its bitter taste. They have therapeutic benefits for pain relief, blood pressure, malaria, cancer and intestinal properties.
- Terpenoids contribute to plants’ taste, fragrance, and colour. This active compound has antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties.
- Lignans have antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory that protect cells from oxidative damage. They also possess antimicrobial properties that help prevent the growth of viruses, fungi, and other microbes. These compounds are also found effective against cancer cells and preventing their growth.
- Steroids have potential benefits for wound healing, skin health and heart health. They might also aid in lowering cholesterol levels in your blood.
Due to its amazing compounds and medicinal properties, Giloy is widely used to treat indigestion, constipation, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, liver diseases, chronic fever, skin problems, and more. And lately, emerging research suggests that Giloy may also benefit in managing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes.
How Does Giloy Help in Diabetes Management?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. It occurs due to a condition called insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. It allows cells to absorb glucose from your bloodstream for energy or storage. However, in insulin resistance, the cells in your fat, liver, and muscles do not properly recognize and use insulin. As a result, glucose remains in the blood, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
When cells do not recognise insulin, the pancreas makes more insulin to try to compensate. But over time, the pancreas can’t keep up with this extra demand, so it stops producing insulin anymore.
The exact reasons why insulin resistance happens are not fully known, but it’s likely a mix of lifestyle choices and genetics.
According to Ayurveda, when your body has good metabolism and absorption of nutrients, it has better regulation of blood sugar levels. Giloy works on your digestion (the pachan shakti) and improves the absorption of nutrients and sugar by your body cells. Both these functions are essential in managing blood sugar.
Talking specifically about the benefits of Giloy for type 2 diabetes, one of the alkaloids called berberine present in the herb has been shown to work like metformin (a medicine used in diabetes) and effectively lower blood glucose. Berberine has also been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and blood pressure levels in the body.
Another compound found in Giloy is flavonoids, which are known for their antioxidant properties. These help reduce oxidative stress, a major factor in insulin resistance. Increased oxidative stress impairs pancreatic cell function and increases insulin resistance, which negatively impacts diabetes.
Scientific Evidence Supporting the Use of Giloy in Diabetes
A study investigated the anti-diabetic effects of Giloy leaf powder. It included two groups of diabetic patients who were given doses of 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg of Giloy leaf powder. For two months, the patient’s blood sugar levels and HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar control) were monitored. The results showed significant improvements in both blood sugar levels and HbA1c, supporting the use of Giloy as an effective treatment for diabetes.
There is also evidence that shows that Giloy can help with diabetes-related complications such as diabetic neuropathy (type of nerve damage), healing of wounds and kidney function.
Benefits of Giloy for Diabetes
- Improves insulin sensitivity.
- Helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Reduces oxidative stress associated with diabetes.
- Helps reduce inflammation related to insulin resistance.
- Aids in liver function, important for glucose metabolism.
- Help in weight management, a key to controlling diabetes.
- Strengthens overall immune health.
- Helps prevent symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and other diabetic complications.
How to Consume Giloy for Diabetes?
Giloy is available on the market in various forms such as juice, powder, tablets, and capsules. The recommended dosage can vary depending on the form you are using:
Giloy stems powder: Take 2 to 6 grams per day, mixed with water or milk.
Giloy juice: Mix 20 to 30 ml of juice with an equal amount of water. It should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning and then again half an hour after dinner for best results.
Always make sure to take the dosage according to the directions on the label because each manufacturer’s preparation can differ. Do not consume it without consulting a doctor, especially if you have any underlying health conditions.
If you are looking for the best Giloy juice, we recommend Krishna Ayurveda Giloy Juice. It is preservative-free and made from neem-grown Giloy stem.
Precautions When Using Giloy for Diabetes Management
If you are already taking diabetes medications, it’s important to be aware that drugs can interact with other medications, foods, beverages, and herbs too. These interactions can affect how well your medication works, increase or decrease its effects, or even cause side effects.
Though Giloy itself does not cause any side effects, consuming it along with diabetes medications may cause some issues. Here are a few practical tips to follow if you are including Giloy in your diet:
- Taking Giloy along with diabetes medications may increase your chances of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). So make sure the dosages are adjusted accordingly. Also, carry a source of sugar like candy with you at all times for emergencies.
- If you experience allergic reactions, such as a rash, itching, or difficulty breathing after consuming Giloy, stop using the herb immediately and seek medical help without delay.
- If you are a pregnant or lactating mother avoid using the herb without consulting your doctor.
Takeaway!
Time and again, Ayurveda has presented us with the many wonders of nature, and Giloy is one of them. Switching to this traditional medicine can help you control blood sugar and keep diabetes at bay.
People have used Giloy for diabetes management for many years and have seen amazing results. Therefore, stick to its use consistently while adopting a holistic approach to health, including a disciplined lifestyle, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, stress management, and diet control.
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