Hitkara Aahara in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Critical Review

Diabetes Mellitus is a well-known multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally high blood glucose due to absolute or relative lack of insulin. In ancient Ayurvedic texts this disease is described as Madhumeha, a form of Vataja Prameha, characterized by passing of excessive amount of sweet urine. The incidence of Diabetes has increased drastically in the recent times because of sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary habits, which are the main etiological factors for this disease. Nidana Parivarjan is described, as the first line of treatment for every disease and since, Diabetes mellitus is a life style disorder, pathya-aahara vihara plays a very crucial role in controlling blood sugar level; so, the present paper will throw a light on Hitkara aahara mentioned in Ayurvedic texts for the proper management and prevention of Diabetes mellitus.