Could you suggest a diet for a diabetic person?
DA, by email

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease." (Thomas Edison). I could not agree with him more. In fact, Ayurveda too suggests that food (diet) is the medicine if one can understand and prescribe the right food for the right patient. While it is very important to consult your doctor before following a particular diet regimen, here are some tips you can consider:

  • Regularly consume a mixture of 10 - 15 grams of amla (Indian gooseberry) and turmeric. You may use dry amla powder if you are unable to find fresh amla.
  • Avoid yoghurt, ghee, meats, sugar, jaggery, eggplant, ground and fermented foods, milk, salty foods, onion, mustard, coconut, asafoetida, day-time sleep.
  • Favour buttermilk, green gram, bitter gourd, grapes, lean meats, asparagus.
  • Soak chana dal (Bengal gram) in water overnight, strain and drink the water the following day.
  • Drink water boiled with scacia katechu and ekanayake (Salacia oblonga or Saptrangi)
  • Drink 20-30 ml of juice of ash gourd (Benincasa hispida) in the morning.
  • Prepare juice of Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica) allow it to rest overnight, dilute it with water and have it the next day.
  • Soak fenugreek seeds in water, allow them to sprout. Consume about 50 grams of this daily.

I am 38 years old and weigh 75kg. My problem is that my skin is extremely oily. Even though I wash my face many times a day, it develops a layer of oil in less than an hour. My scalp too is very greasy. Also, the complexion of my face is darker than the rest of my body. My facial skin is very sensitive too. Please suggest remedies.
M, by email

Sebum is an oily compound produced naturally by oil glands in the skin. An oily face occurs when there is an overproduction of sebum. In the right amounts, this oil moisturises and protects the skin. However, in excess amounts, sebum will cause skin problems; most notable are acne and blemishes. Though there are no valid studies, some believe that certain foods lead directly to oily skin. Examples are chocolate, soft drinks, and greasy fried foods. Heat and humidity would naturally stimulate oil production from the glands. Smoking promotes the enlargement of skin pores and excretes more oil. As a person ages, the sebaceous glands produce less oil and an oily face becomes less of a problem. Follow these tips:

  • Blot your face regularly during the day with blotting paper.
  • Toners applied after washing the face help control the production of oil.
  • Wash your face with cold water two to three times a day. Add a few drops of lemon juice.
  • Oily skin needs to be exfoliated regularly; use a papaya face pack once a week.