Hyderabad, August 27: Switch to brown rice to avoid getting diabetes, advises Dr V Mohan, Chairman and chief diabetologist of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre.
Raising an alarm over Hyderabad turning into the diabetes capital of India, Dr Mohan said genetic factors, consuming more carbohydrates, less physical exercise and stress are some of the factors that cause diabetes. Another factor that researchers suspect is linked to the amount of rice consumed. “We found a positive correlation between the amount of rice people eat and their chances of getting diabetes. Basically, we suspect that the more polished rice that is consumed, the more the chances of getting diabetes,” said Dr Mohan.
A 2001 study about incidence of diabetes in major Indian cities showed that Hyderabad had the biggest incidence at 16.6 per cent, beating Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Calcutta and Chennai. India currently has 41 million diabetics compared to China’s 40 million, but India’s diabetic’s population is expected to jump to nearly 70 million by 2025, overtaking China by a wide margin.
“These days 25 and 30-year olds are getting diabetes. Unless we do something to control the disease India’s future is doomed,” predicted Dr Mohan.
The common symptoms of diabetes are frequent thirst and urination, weight loss, pain in legs and wounds that don’t heal. If your blood sugar level crosses 140 you’re probably diabetic and if above 200 then you definitely have diabetes, said Dr Mohan.
Regular exercise (including yoga and aerobic activity), weight control, moderate drinking and cutting down on smoking can increase the chances of not getting diabetes. To raise awareness about diabetes, Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre is holding ‘Diabetes 2009’, a 3-day exhibition about diabetes. The event will be held from December 18-20 in Hyderabad.