Sudhir Ahluwalia's Blog, page 32

I am 18 and have been diagnosed to be type 2 diabetes, what should I do?

Diabetes manifests itself when insulin produced in the body cannot adequately metabolize the sugar in the blood, causing blood sugar levels to spike.

We need the energy to live, grow, exercise, and survive. When we eat, in the digestive process, sugar is produced. Sugar finds its way from the digestive system into the blood, where insulin released from the pancreas helps break it down to release energy. This energy then becomes available to the body for its survival and other functions.

Excess sugar not required by us is converted into fats and stored in the liver. This stored fat is broken down into energy and made available when demand exceeds supply.

Insulin plays a blood sugar regulatory role. It prevents blood sugar levels from either rising too high.

A healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary goals that bring down calorie intake can help improve diabetes risk.

Conventional treatment of diabetes broadly speaking is composed of:

1. Diet modification

2. Exercise

3. Medication

Several herbs and herbal combinations are used in Ayurveda to treat diabetes. After a detailed scientific review, I have been able to identify four plants – Gymnema sylvestre, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Eugenia jambolana, and Curcuma longa that has the most substantial scientific support for their anti-diabetic properties.

A review of herbs used in TCM shows that Atractylodes macrocephala, Codonopsis pilosula, Dioscorea opposita, Flos lonicerae, and Pueraria lobata retard the progression of diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels.

In my research on natural solutions for diabetes, I have come to understand that diabetes mellitus Type2 diabetes can be effectively managed with a disciplined lifestyle, diet, exercise, and modern medication. The role of herbal medicines in diabetes management is supportive and often results additive.

As long as you stick to these fundamentals, you will lead a normal life.

Additional reading:

Natural Solutions for Diabetes

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Is climate change or green politics a good area for researchers?

There is now overwhelming evidence that the world is in the midst of a climate crisis. Over the past, just 20 years, the Northern Hemisphere has seen a rise of 0.8 degrees Celsius. This temperature rise is causing the ice caps on the North and the South Pole to melt rapidly.
The impact of climate change is being felt across the globe.
There is a fair degree of unanimity amongst nations across the globe that for growth and survival, the world will have to wean away from carbon fuels. There is an increasing emphasis on renewables for meeting energy needs. Electric mobility is gaining ground in North America, Europe, and China.
Global investment funds from the Nordic region have stopped investing in carbon energy-based projects. They now fund green projects only. Many major fund houses are progressively increasing investments in the green economy. ESG investment is now emerging as a norm. Climate risk assessment models have been developed to evaluate business risk due to global warming.
The world is now witnessing competition between carbon fuel-based and clean energy growth. It is this competition that is driving political competition amongst nations and policymakers. Each is trying to gain leverage over the other.
Climate change, investment risk assessment, development, competition for green energy, electric mobility, and green economy are hot areas for researchers. The impact of the green economy and the world requires to be studied.
Research in these areas will benefit researchers’ career prospects and help the world too.

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What is organic and are these more nutritious than conventionally grown food?

Organic farms rely on inter-cropping, rotation of crops, mulching, integrated pest management through biopesticides, biofertilizers like farmyard manure, organic compost, etc. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers are not used in organic farms. Organic farms require less fossil fuel energy as machinery is not used in soil preparation and other farm operations.

In conventional farming, regular use of artificial fertilizer, monocropping, and often no crop rotation deteriorates soil health and reduces soil fertility. Nitrates present in the fertilizer are leached into the soil or run off into water sources contaminating these. use of heavy machinery for plowing, harvesting, and post-harvest operations compact the farm floor, destroying the natural soil structure.

Organically farmed soil has significantly higher organic matter content, thicker topsoil depth, less soil erosion, better soil structure than conventional farms. The soils could maintain soil productivity (Reganold et al., 1987; Flieshbach et al., 2007). Analysis of data to estimate the productivity of organic and conventional farms concluded that organic farming systems were more effective in maintaining soil structure and reducing soil loss due to erosion (Reganold, 1988).

Nutritional value, sensory qualities, and food safety of organically and conventionally produced foods were studied. Except for nitrate content, there is no strong evidence that organic and conventional foods differ in various nutrients or contaminants (Bourn et al., 2002).

162 studies, of which 137 examined nutrient quality in crops and 25 livestock products, were analyzed. Conventionally produced crops had a significantly higher nitrogen content, and organic crops had a higher phosphorus content and higher titratable acidity. The scientists also noted no evidence of a difference in nutrient quality between organically and conventionally produced foodstuffs. Small differences in nutrient content between the two could be related to differences in production methods (Dangour et al., 2009).

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What are the benefits of hyssop tea?

The Bible mentions hyssop many times (Leviticus 14:1–7). David says hyssop in Psalm 51:7: “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and will be whiter than snow.”
Tea made from the leaves is traditionally used to treat flatulence and stomachache. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, a hot infusion with vapors was used to treat ear ailments.
Hyssop is believed to irritate the mucous membranes. Thus herbalists recommend its use only when the infection of the respiratory tract has subsided. Pregnant women should not use the plant; when ingested in large quantities, it can induce miscarriage.
The antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties have been tested and validated in animal trials (Kizil et al., 2010). The U.S. FDA declared hyssop “Generally Recognized as Safe,” although convulsions in rats have been observed during experimental trials.
In my research on herbs used in medicine, I did not come across any human clinical trials that would validate any herbs’ traditional medicinal properties.

Additional reading:
Holy Herbs: Modern Connections to Ancient Plants

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Policymaking in support of the global transition to a green economy

In the context of the 21st century, when humans on earth are faced with an existential crisis from global warming and climate change, sustainable growth and development will need to be aligned to save the nation and the planet from approaching armageddon.
The Northern Hemisphere, which contains most of the landmass, has seen a rise of 0.8 degrees celsius in the past twenty years alone. The polar ice caps are rapidly melting. The largest and the most prosperous and populated regions face the greatest threat to the expected rise in sea levels.
The most populous regions of the world like India, China, East Asia, and others need the energy to grow and prosper. Most of the current energy sources are still fossil fuel-based.
The transition to green energy sources faces technological and cost challenges. Technologists are working hard to develop better energy storage technologies. Soon many of these technical barriers too will get breached, paving the way to an enhanced pace of transition.
A financial infrastructure must support the transition to cleaner, climate-friendly technology to fund and drive growth. Long-term and short-term investment has to be made available to help the change.
Policymaking has a major role in driving and sustaining these changes. Regulation and incentives to support the transition to a green economy have to be put in place. Disincentives will also need to be brought in to prevent interest groups from perpetuating the fossil-based economy’s status quo.
The role of policymaking is critical to sustainable climate-friendly transition.

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What are the benefit of the micronutrient Zinc?

Zinc is one of the essential components of the six enzyme classes present in the body. The mineral helps transmit messages from one cell to the other.

Zinc deficiency depresses growth, causes appetite loss, skin lesions, and diarrhea impairs testicular development, reduces immune and cognitive functions. It can lead to dwarfism, delayed puberty, impaired wound healing, and increased susceptibility to infectious disease.

An adult human contains 2 to 3 grams of Zinc. Off this, 0.1% is said to be replenished daily. Replenishment rate determines dietary recommendations for healthy individuals. Zinc deficiency amongst people across the world is estimated to be equal to or more than 25%.

Zinc deficiency can occur in diets low in bioavailable zinc food, like red meat and unrefined cereals rich in phytate and dietary fibers. Major manifestations of zinc deficiency include stunted growth and development and increased pregnancy complications (Gibson, 1994).

On the other hand, a high intake of Zinc is also known to lead to copper deficiency. In US diets, more than half of Zinc comes from animal food. Vegetarian diets – legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds, contain adequate quantities of Zinc. The bioavailability of this mineral is restricted due to the phytic acid present in these foods.

High levels of calcium can also reduce the bioavailability of Zinc. Zinc is a non-toxic element. Excessive supplementation can lead to copper deficiency (Sandstead, 1995). The best sources for Zinc are red meats, liver, shellfish, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.

There is strong evidence to support the fact that Zinc, a key constituent of over 300 proteins, may be critical to defense against the initiation and progression of cancer (Ho, 2004).

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How do I achieve sustained and lasting weight loss?

Let me present to you a science-based overview of weight loss. Many people are looking for a silver bullet to reduce weight with the least effort quickly. They try a variety of weight loss supplements and medications. I have reviewed the scientific support for some of the popular supplements. My research shows that weight-loss benefits from such supplements, at best, can be marginal.

Let us, therefore, go back to the basics and begin with the causes of obesity:

Three factors are externally responsible for obesity and obesity control. These are:

Nutrition: Certain foods, such as refined carbohydrates and unsaturated fats, contribute the most to obesity

Medicine: Certain prescription medicine, including anti-depressants, steroids, contraceptives, medications for diabetes, hypertension, migraines, seizures, bipolar disorder, allergies, insomnia, and a host of others, are associated with weight gain.

Sleep: Disrupted sleep, or sleep less than 7 hours or more than 9 hours, can lead to obesity. Difficulty in breathing can also be a reason for disturbed sleep.

A weight loss program should begin by looking at the causes of weight gain. Reversing unhealthy food and lifestyle behavior will bring about steady normalization of weight.

Don’t look for a silver bullet. These rarely cause weight loss that will sustain. Outside of medical reasons, weight gain is all about lifestyle. Correct it, and you will achieve sustained weight loss and enjoy a healthy life.

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Does climate risk equate investment risk?

Around 20 percent of all sectors are directly subjected to climate risk. The major affected companies depend on fossil fuels, like energy, logistics and transportation, agriculture, and allied industries.
Over the past twenty years, the average increase in surface temperatures worldwide has been around 0.6 degrees celsius. The polar regions have lost a lot of ice. The northern hemisphere has most of the landmass has heated up, frequency of drought, increase in cyclones, typhoons, other adverse weather events have all increased. Sea temperatures too also rose.
Climate changes are directly impacting all biological-based commodities like agriculture, fisheries, and animal farming.
In response to these climate changes, the world is trying to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by focusing on renewables, low emission energy transport systems like electric vehicles, building carbon banks, etc.
Most long-term investors realize that their long-term investments will get impacted due to the increase in stranded assets and direct impact on Agri commodities.
Blackrock, HSBC, most Nordic sovereign funds, and others regularly model climate risk in all their investment analysis.
Climate risk is impacting all investment classes – equity, debt, alternatives, etc. Investors beware!.

Professional Certification:

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How do I make my business grow?

When Sam Walton acquired his first variety store, he knew little about retailing. He began visiting his competitor’s store. Sam would speak to the staff there, observe what products were on display, what was selling and what was not selling, what was in demand, the prices, etc. He continued to learn from his competitors and talk to people. Sam Walton went on to become one of the greatest entrepreneurs of America, creating Walmart.
In business strategy terms, competition analysis and market analysis are two important components for building a vibrant business. Try and do all that. That will give you a competitive edge over your competition. The game is to increase your customer’s willingness to pay for your products and services while at the same time bringing your costs down.
In the 21st century, connected strategies can give your business a further boost. Here you use technology to improve internal efficiency and performance. A good successful business sits on its people, processes, and technology, driven by a great vision of the entrepreneur. The role of the entrepreneur is key to the success and growth of the business.
I would recommend that you hire a certified business strategy expert who will work with you. The advantage of doing that is that he brings analytical tools. These help you undertake all the background analysis and provide you with all the critical information to help you gain a competitive edge over your competitors.
Let me come back to the story of Sam Walton. Sam prevented getting disrupted by other well-established retailers by becoming an early adopter of technology. He spoke to technology experts from IBM, learned the best tools available, hired the best in class experts for his business, and created his business empire.
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Does garlic possess anti-cancer properties?

Garlic is not listed as a prominent herb either in Ayurveda or in Traditional Chinese medicine. Most plants have various medicinal properties. I have looked at this plant’s medicinal properties. I was able to find the following scientific evidence in support of its anti-cancer properties.

The antioxidant properties of aged garlic extract were observed by Dillon et al. (2003). Dorant et al. (1996) observed the spice’s ability to moderate the impact of colorectal cancer. A similar correlation was made by Durak et al. (2003) in prostate cancer patients.

Helicobacter pylori infect the stomachs of approximately 60% of the world’s adult population (Cave, 1997). This number goes up to 95% in developing countries (Frenck and Clemens, 2003). This infection causes several gastric ailments that range from gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers, etc. (Dixon, 1992; and Nomura et al., 1994). O Gare et al. (2008) studied garlic oil’s effects in a simulated gastric environment due to anti-Helibacter activity. The antibacterial effect on Helicobacter pylori stomach infections was observed by Salih et al. (2003). Both studies claim that garlic oil helped combat the disease. Uncontrolled gastric ulcers can potentially turn cancerous. If that were to happen, then there is a role for garlic.

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