Ban 'white' from your life: Avoid the diabetic bombs - flour, sugar and salt

By Luke Coutinho

In India, there are approximately 42 million people fighting diabetes and this number is expected to almost double in the next three to four years. While there is little we can do for individuals who are born with type 1 diabetes, there is scope of health improvement for majority of people suffering from type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused because of a wrong lifestyle and can be reversed with the correct lifestyle choices. Despite what people believe, we must trust the brilliance of human body to heal itself from diabetes in right conditions.

While many people learn to live with diabetes and take medications, it doesn't indicate successful management of the disease. One needs to dig deeper and understand whether the body not producing insulin naturally or is not using insulin in the right way.

Poorly managed diabetes can lead to a lot of complications. A combination of diabetes and hypertension can be detrimental for kidney health. As one ages, the power to heal naturally further depreciates and the treatments to extend lifespan becomes painful.



Instead of living life in suffering, we should inject a holistic concept in our life and look at ways to eradicate this disease.

Most of us grew up eating white bread and the demand for it has grown substantially. To meet the consumer demands, various food companies have compromised on the processing of white flour, which is one of the primary reasons why diabetes is on the rise.

Wheat in its natural state contains wheat kernel, wheat bran and wheat germ, which are rich in fibre, minerals and vitamins. However, to make white flour, wheat undergoes extensive processing where the properties of kernels, bran and germ are stripped off, and is further added with a chemical similar to chlorine bleach called 'Alloxan'. This chemical helps impart stark white colour to the flour. When consumed, Alloxan messes up with our pancreas and aggravates an already existing diabetes or increase the risk of developing diabetes. Many pharmaceutical companies use the Alloxan to induce diabetes in rats when studying the effect of a new diabetic drug before seeking approval.



Giving up white bread for a couple of weeks will show drastic reduction in your sugar levels. Your pancreas might take a few weeks to heal and function normally after you have stopped consuming white bread.

White flour is not restricted to just breads. Various commercially prepared products like a cookie contains white flour, white sugar and white salt - which is a diabetic bomb. Hence, one must read nutritional labels and look for healthier alternatives.

If you are addicted to bread and can't give up, wheat bread won't do any good ether. Wheat has its own allergens and lectins which can create gut issues. Make your own Indian bread, which is also known as chapati/roti.

If there aren't many options available for breakfast, add plenty of vegetables to ensure intake of fibre, vitamins, minerals and enzymes to digest the bread. This complete diet will also help lower the overall glycaemic index for people who wish to manage diabetes and weight.



Make these amendments to lead a healthier life. Unless we consider lifestyle changes that heal our pancreas, we will always be dependent on medicines. The real cure is to avoid foods that destroy pancreas like white bread, white sugar and white-processed salt because all the three undergo bleaching with a chemical similar to Alloxan.

(The author is specialises in integrative and lifestyle medicine, and holistic nutrition)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.