February 18, 1999 (Thursday) 7:00-8:30
A.M.
Swami: (Looking at N.R.) "What is the treatment for
Diabetes?"
N.R.: First diet, then exercise, next pills, and
Insulin last, Swami.
Swami: Insulin is not good. It can lower blood sugar
very quickly. Then the patient can get sweating and decreased BP
and can go even into coma. It is best to avoid Insulin. Tablets
are OK.
Swami: What is the cause of Diabetes?
N.R.: Pancreas is the problem, Swami.
Swami: Pancreas is not the real problem. It is
mainly wrong diet and lack of exercise. People in South India eat
excess rice. People in North India eat excess wheat (chapathis).
Both rice and wheat can increase blood sugar very quickly within
half an hour after eating. That is why people in South India
should eat less rice and people in North, less wheat. Because
people in South do not like wheat much, they should eat chapathis.
That way, they dont overeat rice. Similarly, people in North
should eat rice. That way they do not overeat, because they dont
like rice that much.
On the other hand, if you eat corn or ragi (a type of grain grown
in South India), blood sugar will rise slowly over 2 to 3 hours.
That is healthy. Body can manage such slow increase very well. For
those who eat grains like corn or ragi, Diabetes is not a problem.
People should not eat as their tongue dictates. There are 48,000
taste buds in the tongue. Improperly used, they can cause sugar
craving and lead to Diabetes. Senses have to be controlled for
good health. Similarly, eyes are to be used properly for the
health of the body and mind. Sunlight illumines the different
cells of the retina of the eye. If the eyes are not controlled to
see only good things, they can create craving to see bad things,
which in turn brings bad health. So, senses have to be regulated
properly for good health. There is some genetic cause also for
Diabetes.
N.R.: Yes, Swami. Latest research also is confirming
this. Is there anything that Swami doesnt know!
Swami: How is your mother ?
N.R.: Her Diabetes is better, but she has Arthritis.
Swami: What is her blood sugar ?
N.R.: She checks it herself, Swami.
Swami: You are the doctor and you dont even check
your own mother! These doctors nowadays dont treat Diabetes
properly. Best thing is diet control and exercise. For Diabetes,
green leafy vegetables are good except cauliflower. Cabbage is
good. All fruits with black seeds like apples, pears, grapes,
watermelon etc. are good except custard apple (as it has too much
sugar). Papaya is very good. All roots, especially potatoes, have
to be avoided.
Swami: (Looking at Gadhias son) "What are you doing?"
Gadhias son: Research for new medicines for
treatment of Diabetes, Swami.
Swami: Best thing is diet and exercise.
Swami: (Looking at Dr. Ravi) "What is the cause of
heart disease?"
Ravi: Increased cholesterol, increased blood
pressure...
Swami: No, it is "hurry, worry, curry". Too much
hurry causes worry and stress - not good for heart! See Swami, no
health problem! Avoid too much oil in the foods (curry). Eating
garlic every day can reduce cholesterol. Almonds without peel can
also reduce cholesterol. Soak them in water overnight, remove the
peel, and eat in early morning.
Venkat: Isnt garlic rajasic food, Swami? Is it not
bad for spirituality?
Swami: Body health first; these gunas (qualities)
and spiritual health come next. Without healthy body, you cannot
proceed on spiritual path.
One Devotee: How to control blood pressure, Swami?
Swami: Reduce salt. Less salt, less BP; more salt,
more BP. If your BP is already low, you can add some salt to your
diet to bring it to normal level.
Venkat: Nowadays, there is a new disease frequently
diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Patients complain that they
dont have any energy to do anything. What is the cause, Swami?
Swami: It is not a disease of "no energy". It is low
energy. Nobody can live with no energy.
Venkat: Is there any cause like bacteria or virus?
Swami: No cause like that. It is low energy because
these people waste a lot of energy through bad and polluted
thoughts, improper and indiscriminate use of senses. Thus, their
energy is drained out and they feel chronic fatigue. If they can
replace their polluted thoughts with good thoughts and divert
their senses towards the Divine, thus, thinking good, seeing good,
hearing good, and doing good, they can recover the lost energy and
can get well.
* * * OM TATH SATH * * *