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| Vivid description of ''manjjisthameha, raktameha, siktameha'' clearly indicate evolved observation skills of physicians. Analyzing the details of urine characteristics the scientific approach of Ayurveda is established. It is really appreciable that a disease can be classified and identified at every stage merely by urinalysis. | | Vivid description of ''manjjisthameha, raktameha, siktameha'' clearly indicate evolved observation skills of physicians. Analyzing the details of urine characteristics the scientific approach of Ayurveda is established. It is really appreciable that a disease can be classified and identified at every stage merely by urinalysis. |
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− | ==== Importance of barley ==== | + | ==== Importance of Barley ==== |
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| Barley should constitute the principal ingredient of food of the patient suffering from ''prameha''. The patient suffering from ''kaphaja prameha'' should take eatable prepared of barley mixed with honey. | | Barley should constitute the principal ingredient of food of the patient suffering from ''prameha''. The patient suffering from ''kaphaja prameha'' should take eatable prepared of barley mixed with honey. |
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| Various eatables prepared from the barley or bamboo seed or wheat previously eaten by asses, horses, cows, swans and deer and collected from their dung should be given to the patient suffering from ''prameha''. | | Various eatables prepared from the barley or bamboo seed or wheat previously eaten by asses, horses, cows, swans and deer and collected from their dung should be given to the patient suffering from ''prameha''. |
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| + | ===== Importance of Barley in Diabetes ===== |
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| + | Charaka gives much emphasis on the use of barley (''yava'') in ''prameha''. Barley has hypoglycemic effect along with its potent lipid reducing effect and it is best ''ruksha'' diet that helps in depleting excess of fat while providing essential energy required for maintaining daily life. Dutch researchers used a crossover study with 10 healthy men to compare the effects of cooked barley kernels and refined wheat bread on blood sugar control. The men ate one or the other of these grains at dinner, then were given a high glycemic index breakfast (50g of glucose) the next morning for breakfast. When they had eaten the barley dinner, the men had 30% better insulin sensitivity the next morning after breakfast6. |
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| + | Scientists at the Functional Food Centre at Oxford Brookes University in England fed 8 healthy human subjects ''chapatis'' (unleavened Indian flatbreads) made with 0 g, 2g, 4g, 6g or 8g of barley beta-glucan fiber. They found that all amounts of barley beta-glucan lowered the glycemic index of the breads, with 4g or more making a significant difference7. |
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| + | In a crossover study involving 17 obese women at increased risk for insulin resistance, USDA scientists studied the effects of 5 different breakfast cereal test meals on subjects’ insulin response. They found that consumption of 10g of barley beta-glucan significantly reduced insulin response8. |
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| + | University of Connecticut researchers reviewed 8 studies evaluating the lipid-reducing effects of barley. They found that eating barley significantly lowered total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides, but did not appear to significantly alter HDL (“good”) cholesterol9. |
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| + | Barley intake significantly reduced serum cholesterol and visceral fat, both accepted markers of cardiovascular risk10. 25 adults with mildly high cholesterol were fed whole grain foods containing 0g, 3g or 6g of barley beta-glucan per day for five weeks, with blood samples taken twice weekly. Total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol significantly decreased with the addition of barley to the diet11. Thus use of barley is very beneficial in diabetes. |
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| === Future Scope for Research === | | === Future Scope for Research === |