Unani Medicine & Temperaments: Mizaj, Akhlat, and Regimenal Hijama Therapy (Wellness Edition)

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance?where body cells respond inefficiently to insulin?and progressive impairment of pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion. In India, over 101 million people are living with diabetes, making early screening, dietary adaptation, and routine glycemic monitoring crucial to prevent vascular complications.

Diagnostic Criteria and Blood Sugar Targets

Diabetes diagnosis relies on standardized laboratory venous plasma glucose evaluations:

Dietary Strategies for Glycemic Control in India

Optimizing daily nutrition involves emphasizing low Glycemic Index (GI) foods, high dietary fiber, and balanced macronutrient distribution:

• Complex Carbohydrates: Replace refined white rice and refined flour (maida) with whole grains like millets (ragi, bajra, jowar), brown rice, and oats.
• Protein Distribution: Include high-protein items such as lentils (dal), chickpeas, paneer, eggs, lean chicken, and fish to blunt post-meal glucose spikes.
• Fiber Rich Vegetables: Consume generous portions of green leafy vegetables, bitter gourd (karela), cucumbers, and okra.
• Healthy Fats: Use cold-pressed oils (mustard oil, groundnut oil, olive oil) in moderation and avoid trans-fats and deep-fried snacks.

Physical Activity and Insulin Sensitivity

Regular physical exercise enhances glucose uptake in skeletal muscle independent of insulin:

• Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, cycling, swimming) per week.
• Incorporate 2 to 3 sessions of resistance training weekly to build muscle mass and elevate resting metabolic rate.
• Break up prolonged sitting every 30 minutes with 2-minute walking intervals.

Medication Stewardship and Complication Prevention

When lifestyle interventions alone are insufficient to maintain target HbA1c (< 7.0%), pharmacological therapy is initiated under medical supervision:

• Metformin: First-line oral antidiabetic drug that reduces hepatic glucose production and enhances peripheral insulin sensitivity.
• Routine Screening: Annual evaluations for diabetic retinopathy (dilated eye exam), microalbuminuria (kidney screen), and peripheral neuropathy (diabetic foot screen).