In a 2011 study published in ISRN Pharmaceutics, researchers tested okra in rats with diabetes. Researchers soaked sliced okra pods in water and then gave the rats the solution through a gastric feeding tube. A control group did not receive the solution. Results showed that the okra helped reduce the absorption of glucose, which in turn reduced blood sugar levels in the treated rats. The researchers noted that okra is a rich source of dietary fiber and has been traditionally used to manage diabetes.The seeds are full of alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. They prevent starches from converting to glucose—sugar in your bloodstrea

Dear Dr. Sahoo,

I read an article that may be useful for your question.

IJSR - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Volume : 3 | Issue : 6 | June 2014

Diabetes Mellitus is a multi-system disorder characterized by abnormal insulin production, impaired insulin

utilization, or both. In India, the increase in type 2 diabetes was estimated to be 58%, from 51 million people in

2010 to 87 million in 20302.This study aims to assess the effectiveness of lady’s finger juice in the control of blood sugar among type

2 diabetes mellitus clients aged 45-60 years in selected areas of Mangalore. A quasi experimental research approach with purposive

sampling technique was used. Data collection was done by baseline proforma, compliance diary and fasting blood sugar monitoring

chart. The results revealed the mean FBS value of the experimental group in the pretest (219.3±69.3), post test 1 on 7th day

(199±67.9),and post test 2 on the 11th day (189.45±67.2) .This shows the decline in the mean FBS value in the experimental group due

to the administration of lady’s finger juice .

Dear Dr. Sahoo,

       Iam a nutritionist in teaching. My answer is based on my opinion and my academic knowledge.

      Diabetes is a metabolic disorder in which the glucose load in blood is high. Hence to keep this loading at minimal level possible, a diet rich in fiber or complex carbohydrates as we call is recommended. To put it simply it is a diet rich in vegetables and fruits and coarse grains as well. So any vegetable or fruit might give more or less similar results. As mentioned by Naveen Virendra Singh, lady's finger per se may have phytochemical substances which might give more benefits compared to other vegetables. Fenugreek has been identified to have  hypoglyceamic effect owing to it's fiber content by National institute of Nutrition, India about two decades ago. Bitter gourd is also one such vegetable which makes rounds as diabetic friendly.

    What I like to stress here is that we cannot see any vegetable in isolation when it comes to diet, expect for purpose of research. So all fiber foods may be seen as good for diabetics. Diabetes is more or less a life long disorder. The person should consume modified diet for lifetime and to  have satiety with the food he consumes, the diet has to be as normal as possible. We cannot make food as medicine.

    May be this knowledge can be used to prepare hypoglycemic drugs from the extracts of the vegetables like lady's finger, which shall be more appropriate.

I thank everybody to respond my query. I request Dr. Aghakhani to send a soft copy of paper if possible.

Dear Dr,

I sent address the paper.

You can find it.

IJSR - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Volume : 3 | Issue : 6 | June 2014

Forget "Ladies Finger"! BTW, the rest of the world knows it as "Okra" as well, as Naveen noted. I suggest a mention in the question (of "Okra") for additional participation rate. Good to see some serious research into the plants as medicine!

Let's talk about GINGER & TURMERIC! The real PANACEAS! The key, I think, is that both these are universal and indiscriminate anti-inflammatory. Some very interesting research was done at the IISc w.r.t. Turmeric. I'll post web link when I find it. Since March 2014, I've been on a 3-5 grams per day of dry powder ginger & turmeric (in capsules). I've eliminated the need for BP Med, Actos, Statins, Celebrex which were all prescribed to me over 5 years ago, My blood work was perfect 6 months ago, I'm due for blood test soon. I'm not on a diet. Just a ordinary McDonald Brahmin Diet, I eat anything except "Ladies Fingers" after marriage :-) Will post results. Ginger and Turmeric have very pleasant side effects as well in comparison to Okra which could be mildly hazardous for those around you :-)

Besides being one of my favorite vegetables both to grow and eat in the form of Bhindi Masala, I've heard it is "brain food" as well. Is that true?

"We cannot make food as medicine." - Hypocrites suffered terminal incarceration for saying (paraphrasing) "Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food" :-)

" Diabetes is more or less a life long disorder." I "single handedly" intend to disprove this myth. My dad was diagnosed diabetic in his Fifties and has been on Meds since. Now he is on many more as is my mom but doing very well with conventional Big Pharma products. I'm reading more of all your wonderful posts and will continue to comment.

I intend to share this with Dr. Max Chartrand for comments as well.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/85210325@N04/12673410535/in/set-72157645018820696

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Max_Chartrand

Hi Dr.Ananth,

            Very interesting discussion. Your treatment for BP is very interesting. How do you get turmeric etc.in a capsule. Does some pharma prepare this or is it  ayurvedic. Please throw some light on this. It shall be very useful for many patients and save many lives.   

            Coming to the two phrases I used- 

I said do not make food as medicine because giving okra juice or bitter gourd juice etc. for life.... It is very sorrowful state for the patient. That is my idea. Hippocrates said in terms of eating food in a judicial way, that is like a medicine and not to grub food.

Secondly, I used the Phrase more or less a lifelong disorder because not to brand diabetics as doomed, eventhough it is lifelong. But one aunt of mine, could stop all diabetic drugs by regular walking and strict diet. So we cannot rule out that possibillity as well. I wonder if any study has been done to see this angle of diabetics.

Saileela! I was extrapolating to be dramatic. I agree with you in principle :-)

I buy ready made capsules from Vitamin Shope in the US. They are available in India on-line through Himalaya group. My parents, both octogenarians have also gotten on to curcumin (turmeric) and ginger capsules with great effects and side-effects! 

Whether any scientific finding is there in all these attempts like how it prevents glucose absorption, etc. If research backing is there then all the costly medicines can be dispensed with. Experts may throw more light on the same.

Okra is regarded as a vegetable that generally have a low glycemic index, so if your diet was mainly or based on vegetables, you will get a low blood sugar.

Just drinking hydrogen enhanced water has an immediate effect ... 

Dear Dr. Sahoo

I sent a better address for the article.

Volume : 3, Issue : 6, June - 2014 Effectiveness of Lady’s Finger Juice in the Control of Blood Sugar Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Clients Aged 45–60 Years in Selected Areas of Mangalore Ms. Sarika Davis. , Mrs. Jennifer D Souza. - See more at: http://theglobaljournals.com/ijsr/articles.php?val=MzQ0MQ==&b1=497&k=125#sthash.Z2BzD3kI.dpuf

This was told by one of my Diabetic patients who stopped her Insulin and had normal blood sugar levels. So, I tried it on myself and yes there was some reduction in blood sugar levels and as my patient mentioned the neuropathic symptoms reduced considerably. I have no idea about the mechanism of action and have not prescribed to any patient.

Thank you Dr.Ananth. I will try these capsules as my family has many diabetics.

"family has many diabetics" Just like my family of teetotalers, non-smokers and low protein/high carb diet consumers. Once you become "diabetic" then that medicine causes wonderful side effects like RA for which the medicine causes high BP which in turn causes ED and all the other alphabets in the language. Nice little vicious cycle Big Pharam paradigm that keeps my parents healthy still after triple by-pass (dad) and colon cancer (mom):-)

Take a count of your own meals for the past week. What is the ratio of protein, fat, fiber and carbohydrates?

Carbs would include: rice, bread, potato, yam, lentils, sweet fruits, green peas, etc. 

Fat would include all fried food, dairy products, etc.

Fiber: Banana stem, greens, vegetable and fruit skin (rind), etc.

What protein sources and quantities do they consume? The HQ of heart diseases and diabetes is in southern India (Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu) despite the limited meat eating. It is almost as predictable as going bald. I'd bet you could directly correlate the elimination of "ration" for sugar, rice and flour in the 1960's to the precipitous increase in diabetes in India. During my recent trip to India I did notice youngsters sporting a lot more  body weight than we did in our hay days :-)

Diabetes is generally the "rich man" disease and is a sign of decadence to some extent. If we each had to run and go catch lunch and dinner, no diabetes :-)  

Watch what you eat! Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food :-) Go green! Except for green peas! No Matar but Bhjindi Masala!

"any scientific finding is there in all these attempts like how it prevents glucose absorption", Who will fund such scientific study? The Okra Foundation, The Ginger Bunnies :-) Big Pharma isn't!

We are getting significant results with Australian wild fruits and herbs in a freeze dried blend called LIFE (Lyophilized Indigenous Food Essentials)™. The strategy here is that our modern foods are actually substantially deficient in micro-nutrients (antioxidants, micro-sugars, anti-inflammatories, enzyme regulators, adaptogens and many minerals).

Fructose is in excess in the modern diet and has earned its name as a bad sugar. Our wild food mix appears to reduce simple carbohydrate addiction making low sugar food choices easier while altering the biochemistry sufficiently to drop blood sugar responses from the high 20s, back to within the normal range. This typically occurs within a day or two of taking twice daily doses of 5g of powder in water.

I would guess that okra in a minimally processed form may be useful in blood sugar control but there is no such thing as a magic bullet, more like a magic arsenal. I would recommend using okra but expand the consumption of as many wild or near-wild foods as possible and begin lifestyle changes away from a high sugar diet.

How is glycemic index fixed to a certain vegetable? What is GI value of lady's finger? How GI is measured? 

Glad I'm paying attention :-) Didn't realize Okra had this many names! Turmeric is the new super-food! Its Glycemic Index is probably negative :-) It is a fantastic "universal anti inflammatory", a veritable Panacea!. 

Please post a link to where the GI values may be obtained. I'd specifically like to know that for Okra, my favorite, besides turmeric & ginger. Thanks!

Here's something that may ameliorate diabetes as an excellent source of protein :-)

Protein, per tablespoon: 3.3 grams

The hemp seed — marijuana’s edible, non-intoxicating cousin — is gaining recognition as a nutritional rock star—and for good reason. Studies suggest that hemp seeds can fight heart disease, obesity and metabolic syndrome, likely because they’re rich in fiber and omega-3s.

Eat This! Simply sprinkle the hemp seeds into salads and cereals, or add hemp protein powder to your post-workout shake. Protein bars packed with the seed have recently hit supermarkets, so you might want to give those a try, too.

https://in.style.yahoo.com/post/134851847604/best-vegetarian-sources-of-complete-protein