Q& A

What is the difference between Ghee and Butter?

First of all, both Ghee and Butter are 100% animal fats. Ghee is nothing but clarified and melted butter. It is traditionally prepared by gently heating butter until it becomes a clear golden liquid. It is widely used in Indian food preparations like Sweets, Curries, Snacks and other sweet preparations. It has excellent aroma and is so flavorful. Indian Ayurveda considers ghee as the ultimate cooking medium, with diverse mind and body benefits listed in the ancient texts. It is an excellent cooking medium that's been around for thousands of years. The consumption of ghee is more in Southern India, where ghee is directly added to the menu items. On an average many south Indians consume at least 1-2 teaspoons of ghee everyday. Where as in Northern parts of the country, most of the sweet items are prepared with Ghee. Butter is an edible emulsion of fat globules made by churning milk or cream; for cooking and table use. But consumption of ghee and butter has been reduced drastically now a days due to the fear of getting Coronary Heart Disease and Obesity.

How Diabetes is treated with Nutrition in India?

India currently has the largest diabetic population in the world, with 37 million people, and the numbers are estimated to grow to 57.2 million in 2025. Lot of research is still going on to identify permanent treatment for Diabetes. Nutrition has been recognized as one of the important factors in controlling diabetes along with medication and exercise. Diabetics usually follow a modified therapeutic diet suggested by a Doctor or Dietitian or Nutritionist according to the Indian Food guide Pyramid. Diets are prescribed to them according to their age, sex, occupation, BMI, diet patterns and severity of the disease. Diabetic diets are always do not mean low calorie or weight loss diets. In fact traditional Indian diets are widely accepted as good diets to control diabetes. Dietary guidelines for Indian diabetics is given in this website http://www.diabetesindia.com/diabetes/indian_food_exchge.htm

Are there any healthy eating guidelines for Indians? Is there any Food Guide Pyramid for Indians?

Well, we Indians do have dietary guidelines just like US Food guide pyramid. But how far these guidelines are followed is questionable. Here is the food guide pyramid for Indians prepared by National Institute of Nutrition, India. According to this pyramid, one must eat adequate amounts (6-8 servings per day) of cereals and pulses. Fresh fruits, vegetables and greens can liberally be taken from 2-5 servings per day. Meat, fish and poultry should be taken in moderate (2-3 servings) amounts. Where as fats and oils should be taken sparingly. We have separate food pyramids for Vegetarians and non-vegetarians. See the Food Pyramids in the following website.
(http://www.diabetesindia.com/diabetes/indian_food_exchge.htm).
Source: National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.

How Diabetes Mellitus 2 is treated in India? Is there any ayurvedic medicine to treat DM2?

Type 2 DM is the most common type and about 90% of diabetics have Type 2 DM. Many people with DM2 are overweight and their initial treatment begins with weight reduction coupled with exercise and medication.
Ayurvedic practitioners treat Diabetes using multiple methods. First they use Diet modification method by eliminating sugar and simple carbohydrates and emphasize on complex carbohydrates. They advise diabetics to limit the protein since excessive intake can damage the kidneys. Fat is also limited because there is often a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, making fat digestion difficult. Next treatment begins with herbal massages and an herbal steam sauna, followed by fasting to cleanse the body. This is followed by an herbal purge for the liver, pancreas, and spleen. Colon therapy is next, first to cleanse the digestive tract and then to reconstitute the system. Ayurvedic practitioners also use several herbal preparations for diabetics. Exercise is another cornerstone of ayurvedic treatment of diabetes. Yoga and breathing exercises are traditionally used.

Different kinds of botanicals and herbals like turmeric, neem, amalaki, shilajit, etc are used to control Diabetes. Turmeric with aloe vera gel is best used during the early stages of diabetes for regulating pancreas and liver functions. In addition to these Juice of bitter melon or bitter gourd or Rose apple or jambu fruit or two tender leaves of Bilva and Neem may be taken on empty stomach daily. Fenugreek seeds are widely used by Indian diabetics either in power form or seeds or leaves. Gudmar is the best herb for digesting sugar in the pancreas. A combination of gudmar and shilajit is an excellent remedy for diabetes that is often prescribed by Ayurvedic practitioners. Other ayurvedic methods to heal diabetes include strenuous exercises, oil massage, steam, sitz or waist bath, and sprinkling of water and ointment. Dry ginger, cardamom, and sandalwood may be used in baths or taken orally.