‘Lifestyle changes needed to tackle rising diabetes’ | Ranchi News – The Times of India

Ranchi: The Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) highlighted the growing diabetes prevalence in India and emphasised the role of lifestyle changes in managing the condition, at a press conference on Friday where it also announced that its two-day 4th annual conference will start on Saturday in city.
The experts shared insights that urban diabetes rate stood at 15%, while rural areas reported a 10% prevalence. The experts underscored the benefits of physical activity, particularly simple exercises like push-ups, to maintain overall health.
RSSDI, national executive member, N K Singh, said, “Individuals can manage diabetes without medication for up to 10 years by adopting the right dietary and lifestyle practices.” He recommended incorporating nuts and millets such as bajra and wheat alternatives into daily meals. “Refined flour-based foods cause a sudden spike in blood sugar, while millets help stabilize glucose levels, preventing sudden peaks,” Singh said.
According to Singh, a major factor behind the increasing diabetes burden is a lack of awareness. “Diabetes is not just about high blood sugar, it is linked to severe complications such as brain stroke, eye damage (even after cataract surgery), heart failure, kidney failure, and digestive issues like constipation,” he said. He emphasised the need for regular health check-ups, including lipid profile monitoring, to detect risks early.