HYPOGLYCEMIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF SELECTED GOURD VEGETABLES ON TYPE II DIABETICS

摘要

India is a large developing country with diverse people, religion and diets. Over the last decade, economic transition in India has brought forth vast changes in lifestyle, which is primarily reflected in the nutritional transition. It is a mere coincidence that India is also witnessing a steady increase in the prevalence of diabetes. Among the various interventions available for controlling and treating diabetes mellitus such as dietary management, lifestyle management, pharmacological treatment andnon pharmacological treatment, dietary management plays an important role in controlling and treating type II diabetes. Since diet forms the mainstay in the management of Non Insulin Dependent Diabetic Mellitus (NIDDM), there is scope for exploiting theanti diabetic potency of vegetables to the maximum extent. Vegetables and fruits contribute to the requirement of essential minerals, vitamins and other phytochemicals that enable every one to lead a healthy life. Vegetables are among the numerous plantadjuncts tried for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. A few vegetables that arecommonly consumed in India have been claimed to possess anti diabetic potency.