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According to a popular Instagram post, a combination of turmeric and amla may cure diabetes and chronic renal disease (CKD). We verified the claim and determined that it is mostly false.
The Claim
Tanmaygoswami.gosval’s widely shared Instagram reel promotes the daily consumption of 5 grams of turmeric and 20 millilitres of Amla juice on an empty stomach. The post highlights that the combination can aid in renal detoxification, address insulin sensitivity, and enhance overall kidney health.
Fact Check
Can diabetes be safely managed with this combination?
Diabetes is a debilitating condition marked by high blood sugar levels brought on by the body’s inability to synthesise or efficiently use insulin. While Type 2 is the prevalent form, driven largely by impaired insulin sensitivity and lifestyle factors, other forms, such as Type 1, an autoimmune condition, and Type 1.5, or Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), also exist. Each of these forms is distinctive in terms of their development and management.
Superfoods such as amla (Indian gooseberry) and turmeric are becoming increasingly popular for the management of type 2 diabetes. This could be attributed to the following benefits these natural remedies offer:
Ayurveda uses amla fruit, which is high in vitamin C and polyphenols, as a powerful rasayana for managing several types of disorders. Even if the superfruit might moderately reduce glucose levels, findings are confined to small-scale studies.
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Due to the presence of curcumin, turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.), a prominent spice in Asian cooking, is considered to be beneficial to human health. Curcumin may help people with prediabetes delay the onset of type 2 diabetes because of its anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising properties.
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While the combination may be considered beneficial for Type 2, it may not be safe or helpful for everyone. This is because, as was already mentioned, not all cases of diabetes are Type 2. In Type 1 and Type 1.5 diabetes, where insulin production is either absent or limited owing to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells, blood glucose regulation without prescription insulin therapy can be life-threatening. In addition to disregarding the complex nature and heterogeneity of the chronic condition, using any unverified anti-diabetic remedy instead of prescribed or evidence-based antidiabetic medication may delay the required vital medical intervention.
Above all, anything in excess may not be healthy. Overconsumption of turmeric, for instance, can lead to gastrointestinal distress, raise the risk of kidney stones, and even interfere with prescribed blood thinners. Furthermore, unsupervised intake of amla might induce acid reflux and may even interact with medications like metformin and aspirin.
Dr. Naseemuddin N. Shaikh, Consultant Endocrinologist at Renova Century Hospitals Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, suggests that “amla (gooseberry) is high in vitamin C and other antioxidants, while turmeric (curcumin) has anti-inflammatory characteristics.” They may work in concert to somewhat reduce insulin resistance when taken together. However, it is vital to understand that it will not completely cure diabetes, so please do not substitute them for prescription medications without first speaking with a medical expert.
As a result, treatment choices must always be based on evidence-based medicine and modified as per the patient’s specific type and stage of diabetes.
Is the combination dependable for CKD patients?
Chronic renal condition, or CKD, is a degenerative illness characterised by a persistent reduction in renal function. Based on the extent of renal function and damage, CKD can be divided into stages. The main causes include autoimmune illnesses, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, genetic factors, and recurrent infections. If CKD is not adequately controlled, it may pose serious health hazards regardless of the underlying causes.
Patients who are struggling with persistent inflammatory illnesses may turn to herbal remedies, such as a combination of amla and turmeric. Amla, a common Ayurvedic ingredient, possesses antioxidant, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, hypolipidemic, and antidiabetic characteristics. Amla also contains several secondary metabolites, including tannins, rutin, emblicol, phyllembelic acid, phyllemblin, and curcuminoids, along with phenolic acids, amino acids, and vitamin C.
Turmeric contains a yellow polyphenolic pigment called curcumin, which is the focus of extensive research due to its potential as a therapeutic agent for a variety of chronic illnesses, including fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and even neurological issues. Curcumin is believed to be a viable treatment option for persistent kidney problems because of its anti-inflammatory benefits.
Even though preliminary studies may suggest potential benefits, extensive clinical trials are required to ascertain the combination’s efficacy in treating CKD. Furthermore, because CKD is a multifaceted illness with a wide variety of symptoms, each person’s response to treatment may substantially differ.
It is crucial to stress that relying solely on such unverified remedies without medical supervision may make the pre-existing kidney condition worse due to improper dosage, potential drug interactions with herbs, and delayed access to conventional medical care. Therefore, CKD patients should always consult their doctors before incorporating any such remedies into their evidence-based treatment regimen.
Does Ayurveda make any claims about curing diabetes and chronic kidney disease?
Ayurveda employs a comprehensive approach for managing diabetes and CKD. The traditional science aims at:
Balancing doshas
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Enhancing metabolic function
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Preserving optimal organ health
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The practice of Ayurveda may employ herbal formulations such as Triphala, which has renal protective qualities, and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), with diuretic and anti-inflammatory characteristics, may provide symptomatic relief to CKD patients.
Based on their hypoglycaemic benefits, two evidence-based herbal remedies, such as Gudmar or Gymnema sylvestre and Vijaysar (Pterocarpus marsupium), may be employed for patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, for such chronic illnesses, there may be inclusion of personalised diet regimens based on prakriti, or the unique body constitution, along with the detoxification practices.
Dr Thulasi K, Ayurvedic practitioner currently associated with Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala and Punarjani, further clarifies that Ayurveda views elevated sugar levels as an indicator of dosha and dhatu imbalance. While addressing this imbalance, Ayurveda practitioners also remove the root cause of the problem. For instance, excessive consumption of sweet, sour, and salty tastes is associated with the development of prameha. Hence, an Ayurveda practitioner may instruct the patient to reduce these tastes in their diet along with other lifestyle modifications and will also prescribe apt medicines. This will ensure that elevated sugar levels – which are an indicator of metabolic error, are brought back to normal.
Dr. Annusuiya Gohil, MD Scholar at the All India Institute of Ayurveda, further clarifies, Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to diabetes, focusing on digestion, metabolism, and overall well-being. Herbs such as neem, turmeric, and triphala may help improve insulin sensitivity, but managing diabetes effectively requires consistency in diet, physical activity, and mental well-being. While Ayurvedic treatments may significantly improve the condition for certain individuals with type 2 diabetes in its early stages, this does not imply that there is a universal remedy. Integrating Ayurvedic knowledge with contemporary medical advice is crucial instead of depending just on one approach.
While Ayurveda may exhibit promising results in impeding the progression of such chronic conditions, its role in their management is limited to being complementary or supportive. It is essential to appropriately integrate Ayurvedic therapy with conventional medications in these patients. Careful monitoring by qualified practitioners is necessary to prevent serious herb-drug interactions and to deliver safe, personalised care.
Are food items a viable option for the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes and CKD?
Please be advised that both CKD and diabetes are complicated, persistent illnesses that require customised treatment regimens necessitating prescribed medication, lifestyle modifications, and periodic evaluation. Relying solely on unsubstantiated remedies may delay their medical care, and discontinuing their ongoing prescription might exacerbate their conditions, leading to severe complications. Furthermore, excess consumption of the unsupervised combination of amla and turmeric may have detrimental health effects.
Self-medication via unapproved approaches is not advised. These conditions require evidence-based management and professional care. Herbal remedies should be considered adjuncts to evidence-based medications rather than as a replacement for them. Additionally, such complementary combinations may not be beneficial for all individuals; therefore, they should only be considered under the guidance of a well-qualified doctor to ensure safety and efficacy.
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