India has become the Diabetes Capital of the world with 61 million Diabetics between 20-79 years suffering from this dreaded disease and continue to increase by the day. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that by 2030, 8.4% of India's adult population will have diabetes and this figure is expected to go up to 101.1 million. Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia). As one knows, diabetes is not only the blood sugar problem, but it brings along many other complications as well.

Globally, it is estimated that 366 million people had diabetes in 2011 (approximately 8.3% of the world population, or 3 new cases every 10 seconds), and this figure is expected to reach 552 million by 2030. This global pandemic principally involves type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of which varies considerably around the world , being associated with differences in genetic as well as environmental factors such as greater longevity, obesity, unsatisfactory diet, sedentary lifestyle, increasing urbanization and economic development. Treatment therapy is the best tool to fight this silent killer.

But in conventional therapy, prolonged use of frontline blockbuster diabetic drug metformin can lead to side effects including reduced mental abilities, depression, breathlessness and extreme fatigue. A latest government-funded study on Indian population shows the drug triggers deficiency of vitamin B12 leading to neuropathy and microvascular complication and in the absence of regular nutritional diet and supplement, patients with type 2 diabetes can suffer serious side effects. But, when it comes to homeopathy it is devoid of such side effects.

Homeopathy is the holistic system of medicine which deals with the patients on the basis of symptom-similarity, matching the symptoms of the patients with that of the proved medicine. It holds most appropriate solution for the sufferings of diabetics along with life style modifications. In homeopathy, Diabetes is seen as a response of the body’s inability to function properly, it treats the disease at the most deepest root, i.e. at the level of vital force. Medicine is prescribed not only on physical symptoms but take into account mental symptoms and genetic blend of the patient too i.e. individualization of every case. Some important remedies are discussed below which are indicated in diabetes but approach towards every chronic case in homeopathy is to find out the constitutional medicine, the physician must need to know the case history.

• Acidum phosphoricum: Especially in diabetes of nervous origin, urine contains much sugar, cases due to grief, worriment and anxiety, loss of appetite, thirst, boils, indifferent and apathetic.

• Helonias dioica: Diabetes - first stages; urine profuse, clear, saccharine; lips dry, stick together; great thirst; restlessness; emaciation; irritable and melancholy.

• Lycopodium:

• Phosphorus:

• Crataegus oxyacantha:

In cases where the prime task is to control the elevated blood sugar levels, homeopathic mother tinctures along with constitutional medicine give the most pertinent results. Indications of some homeopathic mother tinctures are discussed below:

• Abroma augusta: It is an excellent remedy where the quantity of sugar is excessive and the urine is loaded with high specific gravity.

• Cephalandra indica: Sugar-killer - excellent medicine for diabetes mellitus,It control Blood Sugar.

A study published in Indian Journal of Research in Homeopathy in the year 2013 about the anti-diabetic of Cephalandra Indica  in diabetic rats shows significant reduction of blood glucose level, regain of body weight, and regeneration of beta-cells in the pancreas of the mother tincture-treated rats. Mother tincture-treated 3T3 cells also showed reduced uptake of glucose in comparison to normal cells.

• Gymnema sylvestre: Glycosuria with increased frequency of micturition both day and night. Progressive weakness worse after passing urine.

• Syzygium jambolanum:

• Uranium nitricum:

Apart from generic homeopathic medicines, pharmaceutical companies have brought combination of homeopathic medicines indicated in diabetes & they are known to give beneficial results.

Along with the oral medications lifestyle modification is also an important aspect in management of diabetes. Some of the tips are given below:

• Eat healthy: Get plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Choose non-fat dairy and lean meats. Limit foods that are high in sugar and fat.

• Be active: Exercise & brisk walk for at least 30min in a day. An active lifestyle helps you control your diabetes by bringing down your blood sugar. It also lowers your chances of getting heart disease. Plus, it can helps in losing weight too.

• Regular checkups: Get your blood glucose digits in control have a regular eye on it along with eye examination.

• Manage stress: find ways to relieve stress by deep breathing, yoga & hobbies that relax you.

• Stop smoking & drinking habits.

So, It is time to act now to adopt a healthy life style in the families from an early age to combat this disease with a proper balanced diet, regular exercise and physical activity, no tobacco, stress control and by giving due respect to biological clock.