Diabetes has turned into a chronic condition for millions of people in the world. With increased blood sugar levels, the health of people is affected adversely. To keep blood sugar levels under control, doctors prescribe various kinds of oral medicines. In people who have uncontrolled diabetes, insulin injections are recommended on daily basis. Another thing which is very important for diabetic patients is mindful eating. They must have clear understanding of what to eat and what not to eat. Regular exercising is also advised by doctors for such patients. Brisk walking is a great exercise and should be done on regular basis.
Various kinds of supplements are available in the market, which claim to combat diabetes successfully. However, there are reports that many of these supplements come with serious side effects. Thus, using the supplements in consultation with a healthcare personnel is highly recommended. Apart from supplements, there are special diabetic care programs, which when followed can help in dealing with diabetes successfully. Diabetes Freedom is an example in this regard. This is a unique program for 2 –months, where one is taught about different kinds of foods which help in flushing off fatty deposits from the body, which actually accumulate around the pancreas. These depositions start when a patient suffers from diabetes. Over a period of time, symptoms and conditions worsen and more severe treatments are sought for diabetes.
Diabetes and compromised immunity
The immune system in the body is like a shield which provides protection against various kinds of germs, microbes and other harmful organisms and components. It protects the body against different kinds of ailments and diseases. Diabetic patients usually have a compromised immune system and hence they are at higher risk of suffering from various health issues. The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation has shown us directly that people who have compromised immunity are more prone to the viral infection. Diabetic patients are included in this category. Apart from COVID-19, diabetic patients have been seen to acquire infections quickly; infact they take a longer time to heal and recover as well. Medicines take longer to become effective for diabetic patients.
Boosting immunity with proper foods in diabetic patients
Now that it is clear that diabetic patients suffer from compromised immunity, it is important to think of ways to combat this problem. Immunity-boosting foods are probably the sole source with which this issue can be tackled successfully. In this article, we will discuss in detail about some immune-boosting foods for people suffering from diabetes.
- Carrots – Many people have a misconception that carrots are sweet and hence are not suitable for diabetic patients. But this is completely false. Carrots are excellent immunity-boosters particularly for diabetic people. Carrots are rich source of beta carotene, vitamin K1, potassium, fiber and antioxidants and are great for the immune system. Carrots have shown to be very beneficial for eye health, for weight loss and for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. The beta-carotene component in carrots is actually an antioxidant, which gets converted into vitamin-A by the human body. Carrots also abound in pectin, which is a popular kind of soluble fiber. This fiber helps in lowering down blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion of sugar and starch in the body. This is the reason carrots are considered as excellent immunity-boosting foods for diabetics.
- Walnuts – Research reports have shown that walnuts are very effective for controlling blood glucose levels in the body. As a result, risk of type-2 diabetes is lowered to quite an extent. Walnuts are a rich source of vitamin E. We all know that Vitamin E is a very powerful antioxidant and antioxidants play a crucial role in boosting immunity in the body. Along with this, walnuts are also a great source of dietary fiber. Thus they take quite a long time for breaking down and for getting digested completely. With slow breakdown and digestion, the release of blood sugar in the bloodstream is extremely slow. The only problem with walnuts is that they are quite warm and have high calories. So if you are overweight and diabetic at the same time, walnuts are not the right choice of food for you.
- Chickpeas – Chickpeas are also known as ‘white chana’ and are a favorite food with many people. They are a kind of legume (larger in size than grams and white in color), which is beige. The shape of chickpeas is almost round. Chickpeas are considered as excellent source of vitamins, proteins, minerals and fibers. Medical research has presented us with the data that if an adult person consumes almost 164 grams of chickpeas, almost 1/3rd parts of daily protein requirements of the body are satisfied with the same. Apart from proteins, the other nutrients which are present in chickpeas help in boosting the immune system of the body thus providing protection against ailments and diseases. For diabetic patients, fiber content in food is very important. In 164 grams of chickpeas, almost 12.5 grams of fiber are present.
People who suffer from type-1 diabetes often suffer from the problem of inflammation in the body. Consuming 30 grams of fiber per day helps in reducing the inflammation considerably. Consuming a high-fiber diet helps in lowering blood glucose levels in the body and minimizes risks of type-2 diabetes. Along with all the above mentioned benefits, chickpeas are great for keeping blood pressure under control, helps in having good bone health (chickpeas have iron and calcium which are good for bones) and ensures good heart health (chickpeas abound in iron, selenium, magnesium and vitamin B, which are excellent for heart health).
- Bell peppers – Doesn’t colorful bell peppers in the market grab your eyeballs? Well, it does for everyone. In common language, bell pepper is called capsicum and is a very popular food with people. It imparts a unique taste and flavor to any dish and makes it tasty. Including bell peppers in the diet of a diabetic person is a great idea as it plays a crucial role in controlling blood glucose levels in the body. Along with this, bell peppers also protect the body against diseases which might be caused due to diabetes. Bell peppers contain lipase and alpha-glucoside, which are two digestive enzymes. The enzymes are highly effective in slowing down the digestion of carbohydrates and lipids and this helps in reducing the concentration of blood sugar. Last, but not the least, bell peppers are rich source of powerful antioxidants, which help in boosting the immune system and provides protection to the body against various health issues, which emanate from diabetes.
- Various kinds of lentils – We all know that lentils are extremely rich sources of carbohydrates, proteins, folate, fiber, magnesium and antioxidants. The complex carbohydrates in lentils help in controlling cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes. Consuming 100 grams of lentils daily fulfills the daily requirement of folic acid in our body. Folic acid provides protection against heart ailments by taking care of the artery walls. Lentils abound in insoluble fiber, which prevents constipation and also offers protection from colon cancer. Add different kinds of lentils in the diet of diabetic patients for boosting their overall immunity.
It is recommended to consult your doctor before you plan to include any of these items in the diabetic diet for immunity-boosting.
