Sunday, April 12, 2009

Diabetes: Death To Diabetes

I'll come to the point linearly: This note is about Diabetes and cross links another website that has significantly impacted my understanding about Diabetes. But first, before I unravel the heart of the matter, I need to offer a little background. Why am I writing this? Because I CARE ABOUT the people who are dying because of Diabetes and I genuinely feel that something can be done about it - quickly enough for most people luckily.

Diabetes is killing people. By 2020 it's predicted to become the world's largest killer. What are we doing about it? Can something be done about it? What causes it in the first place? Is it Genetic? Life-Style disease? Some unpredictable combination of Genetics, Life Style etc? As diverse as these questions are, equally diverse and perplexing are the answers too. So what is a person inflicted with Diabetes to do apart from following what the doctor prescribes?

The author of this blog was diagnosed with Diabetes 2 years ago. It did not immediately impact my life materially but with passage of time it surely started making its impact felt. Initially I checked with the doctors, got the tests done and sought advice. I was told that I should manage my 'life-style' which involved a significant amount of alcohol consumption. I also used to smoke and chew tobacco until about 2 years ago. I realized I had to stop ALL of this if I wanted to give myself a half-decent life; half-decent because the other half was already 'spent' the day I earned the 'diabetic label'.

Diabetes is a disease of the physiological system and impacts EVERYTHING. Mind is connected to matter and as such our mind is connected to our body. The connection is pretty palpable. It is the mind which through a complex array of synapses and neurons controls everything happening inside our bodies. When I say control it means: it 'manages' everything: all sensory perceptions arise from the mind. It is the seat of pleasure and pain. It is the one which FEELS the pain and then TELLS that it's feeling the pain. Whom does it TELL? It tells the body.

One can read a lot of literature on the physiology behind diabetes. Basically, the trigger for diabetes occurs when the so called Beta Cells in the Pancreas start experiencing 'Insulin Burn-Out'. This happens when the cells refuse to accept the insulin the beta cells produce when the blood sugar level rises, such as after consuming food. When we eat food, it gets processed and glucose is released into the blood stream that has the effect of elevating the blood sugar. In response to this increase in blood sugar, the beta cells within the pancreas start secreting insulin into the blood stream.

At the cellular level, the cells need the energy from glucose and they need insulin to 'process' this glucose. They must therefore allow the insulin to enter them. For the insulin to 'enter' the cells, the latter must figuratively speaking 'provide access' to it; the process by which the insulin enters these cells is in many ways like a typical lock and key combination. In a diabetic patient this lock and key combination has been impacted adversely so that now the cells are not absorbing as much insulin as they used to do or should be doing. As a result the insulin just keeps sticking around in the blood stream instead of helping the cells 'convert' the glucose into energy. This causes the blood sugar level to remain elevated and hence the beta cells keep producing more and more of the insulin (thinking obviously that enough is not enough) to bring the sugar levels down. Soon this process becomes akin to flogging a dead horse and leads to what is known as the Insulin Burn-Out. The glucose levels remain elevated because the glucose cannot be processed by the cells; the cells themselves remain starved of energy and this explains why the Diabetics continually experience fatigue - they just aren't getting enough energy from the food they are eating. This gives rise to what is commonly known as Diabetes Mellitus or Type II Diabetes. There is a type 1 diabetes as well which is of a slightly different nature but has a somewhat similar physiology. It's less common though than Type II diabetes.

The kidneys and the liver swing into action and begin working overtime to 'clean' the system. The kidneys now have to filter out blood glucose as well. Understandably this causes a considerable drain on them. The Liver responds by converting glucose into fat and storing it in places where they can be easily stored. This leads to people gaining weight and loss of body shape. Obesity is another name given to this fat build-up.


So what are we to do when insulin processing gets hampered in the system?

Well, one thing is very clear. What the Allopathic medicines do is that they do not cure the root cause but keep attacking the symptoms. They further lead to the build-up of toxic waste within the body as well. As pointed out by the author of the book DeathToDiabetes, the allopathic medicines instead of curing the disease actually make it worse. The pharmaceutical companies around the world make millions of dollars with this disease and hence would consider it an anathema to start educating people about this subject that will lead to wealth erosion for them. Millions are spent in research and drug manufacturing. It's a hell of an expensive disease no questions about it.

This individual who wrote DeathToDiabetes was miraculously able to CURE his diabetes. I don't know the truth of it. But he has proclaimed it to the world and written books and created a website to spread awareness about the issue. So I deduce that there must be 'some' truth behind it. Regardless of the truth, I did employ some of the suggestions on the website especially concerning the food habits with a consistently remarkable recovery in my blood sugar levels. This was exciting enough, which prompted me to use my blog as a means to spread this knowledge and awareness that perhaps diabetes can really be controlled fabulously if not completely reversed by making some changes to our food habits.

For starters: I removed most if not all 'processed' food from my eating routine. This includes all sexy things such as French Fries (Ah..the killers) and Burgers and the list goes on. You all know that. For detailed feedback consult you dietician. But the idea is: They HARM. No questions about it.

Then I started eating a lot of fiber. Flax seed is a wonderful option and quite easily available. Eat brown rice. Don't eat the processed white rice. Eat multigrain wheat. Processed flour is to be chucked aside. I am not an expert in this area. But I am just mentioning what I did myself. Each person's food requirements are unique and a lot of circumstances - socio-cultural, economic and others - drive what a person eats or considers worth while to eat. But Fast Foods have invaded our lifestyles regardless of culture. You'll get a Mcdonalds in Alaska too perhaps. You must also remember one thing - and my 'science' background did aid somewhat in furthering my understanding of this subject - that the human body prefers an ALKALINE to an ACIDIC environment. It's alright to think what am I talking about at this point because without a 'science' background this would appear like a lot of garbage and terminology. Actually, it's not that complicated. We are all too familiar with Acidity and how it makes us 'inconvenienced'. That happens when the body enters an Acidic environment. All acid producing foods must therefore be actively discouraged from entering into our menus (you can without batting an eyelid choose ALL your FAVORITE foods if you are anywhere like me! - Burgers, French Fries, Coke[diet/non-diet]). On the other hand all foods that promote an alkaline environment must be encouraged (Blue Berries, Sweet Potatoes, Flax Seed, Aloe Vera all kinds of Fruits - avocados, apples etc, and the list goes on). Consuming regular milk for example, produces an acidic environment in people with low lactase (or may be lactose) tolerance. They must switch to SOY milk immediately.

On a related note and touching a subject that has a massive influence on me: Meditation, Praying, Exercising all help promote an ALKALINE environment within the body and help clean the toxic build up from Acidic environments.

Why am I talking Acidic/Alkaline here? I am giving you the TOOLS to research further. When you buy food next time, keep this in mind. Ask the right people - indeed FIND the right people who can guide. The idea is - don't just sit back and let the disease - to borrow an expression from DeathToDiabtes website - ROT you from inside; It sure does. I will keep appending to this blog as more information and insights become available to me. But get this straight: You've got to take charge of this.

As an aside, I quit smoking and tobacco consumption 2 years ago and have stayed off it since then. Smoking cessation is a widely discussed subject and many websites again are dedicated to it. I will talk about my experience some other time. I will only hasten to add for now that I truly believe in the maxim: A human being is infinitely capable and infinitely incapable all at once. This perhaps comes from the duality principle in Physics: Matter behaves as waves and particles both. We can invoke the properties of either entity depending on the problem at hand. Similarly, our capabilities are also infinite and limited both. It depends on what we want to make them to be? This unfortunately is what we often don't realize. The POWER is within us. It just needs to be realized. Truly 'realized'. Rest is easy.

Good luck and with affection! And oh by the way here's the link to the DeathToDiabtes website: Death To Diabetes.

Go on...be a winner :)

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Dard

kaise kaise dard sehte hai
phir bhi galat hum hi hote hai

duniya bahut samajhdar hai
akal ke bagair sirf hum hi hote hai

haan hum dushman hai apne
khud ko satate rehte hai

tumhari akal, tumhari soch, tumhari samajhdari mubarak ho tumhein
akal se humara kya waasta...hum yunhi theek hai...

Mai Chahata Bhi Yahi Tha... Wo Bevawafa Nikale...

Aaj Wasim Barelvi sahab ke alfaaz zehen mein aaye:

may chahta bhi yahi tha woh bewafa nikle!
usse samajhne ka koi to silsila nikle!!

kitab-e-mazi ke panne ulat ke dekh zara !
na jaane kaunsa panna muda hua nikle !!

(kitab-e-mazi ke aaurak ulat ke dekh zara !
na jaane kaun sa safha muda hua nikle!!)

Jo dekhne may bohot hi kareeb lagta hai!
usi k ke baare may sochu to faasla nikle!!

may chahta bhi yahi tha woh bewafa nikle!
usse samajhne ka koi to silsila nikle!!

I have picked up the lyrics thanks to Mr. Varun Pauddar from the following link:
http://www.dishant.com/lyrics/song-41662.html

Agar Ghazal sunna chahe to yaha pe hai... Jagjit Singh ki awaaz mein

Mai chahata bhi yahi tha

Thought For Today: Microsoft is a RPIA (Royal Pain in the A**)

I believe the content of the subject is only too familiar to those who have ever tried installing Adventure Works Database on SQL Server 2008 Express edition. Full Text Search is not enabled; solutions suggested on umpteen weblogs and websites do not help. How can they help? MS has acknowledged there is a problem: Thank God for that. And yet, hotfix after hotfix and KB articles after KB articles one still cannot figure out if a solution actually exists. The KB articles proclaim that this problem exists and related searches lead you to
KB958186 - but to your horror after going through the motion of providing your email Id etc MS sends you a hotfix link that actually is meant to fix some other problem and not the full text search problem. Obviously you can't quite figure that out because the cumulative update package which ostensibly has solutions to known issues with MS SQL Server Express 2008 has a host of fixes "packaged in it" and you just don't know which one of those solutions pertains to the "full text search problem". So you just trust MS and download whatever they provide in the hope that some magic would happen. But of course it doesn't work.

You can refer to the following page MS acknowledgment of FULL TEXT SEARCH BUG. It has a fancy bug number too Bug #: 50003661(SQL Hotfix).

I am flabbergasted!!!

I am writing this to tell all those who may be struggling with THE FULL TEXT SEARCH ISSUE WHILE TRYING TO INSTALL ADVENTURE WORKS ON MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2008 EXPRESS EDITION: To the best of my knowledge a solution does not exist as of now so there is no point sweating about it. Just wait until MS can figure out how to fix it. Meanwhile you can try SQL Server 2005 which I am going to do now; apparently 2005 works fine. What a pain to go through the whole process and then have to revert to the older version. It sucks big time. Either way there is no choice.

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a solution, please do enlighten the strugglers. MS also has the gumption to CHARGE for fixing bugs it creates - refer to the MORE INFORMATION SECTION on this page MORE INFORMATION . No wonder Bill Gates is the richest (or somewhere close) man in the world! They create crap and then charge for cleaning up after. Awesome guys...

Friday, April 10, 2009

My Favorite Songs and Ghazals

I am going to start a compilation of my all time favorite songs...

Here goes...Each of these songs has a very deep connection with my soul...When I hear them, I go in a trance whose bliss words can't describe. Listen to them and you will know what I am saying...

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Mirza Ghalib

Kucch Mirza saab ke astabal se nikaal laya hoon...

Hum hai mushtaaq aur wo bezaar...
Ya Ilahi ye maazra kya hai?

Kaisi masoomiyat se kitni gehri baat kahi hai. Mujhe Mirza saab ki shaayri mein bhagwan nazar aata hai.

Yeh Masail-e-Tasawwuf..Yeh tera bayaan Ghalib,
Tujhe hum wali samajhte, jo na baadakhwaar hota

Ye baat jo Mirza ne kahi hai: k tujhe hum wali samajhte agar tum itni sharaab na peete mere dil ko bahut chooti hai.
Aur ye ke:

Sab kaha kucch lala-o-gul mein numaya ho gayi
khaak mein kya soorate hongi jo pinha ho gayi

Kaise Kaise log is duniya mein khaak-e-supurd ho gaye...numaya sirf chand kismat wale hi ho paye...

Hui Muddat ke Ghalib Mar Gaya
Par Yaad aata hai
Wo har ek baat pe kehna
Ke Yu hota to kya hota...

Bas meri aur tumhari zindagi ki kahani keh dali in 2 lines mein.

Na tha kucch to khuda tha, kucch na hota to khuda hota
Duboya mujhko hone ne, na hota mai to kya hota

Jab mai "THA" ... Jab mera kucch WAJOOD THA..tab mujhe dubo diya...agar mai nahi hota..maslan agar meri koi aukaat nahi hoti tab kya kya karti ye duniya mere saath?? that's the way I read it...and it makes perfect sense to me. Mirza ka sense itna tagda tha ki wo aisi baat sochte the jo jigar ke bilkul aakhri kone se nikal ke aati ho... wo surface pe poetry nahi likhte the. Wo apne mijaaz ko naap taul kar un aisi batein nikaal ke le aate the jo aam aadmi sirf soch sakta hai..usko explain nahi kar sakta. Aisa power dikhta hai mujhe Mirza saab ki poetry mein.
Aur ye ke:

Jala hai jism, jaha dil bhi jal gaya hoga
Kuredte ho jo ab raakh...justuju kya hai?

There are occasions when I find myself comparing Mirza Saab with Gulzar Saab. Though I don't particularly like Gulzar saab - I have HEARD him a lot through RD Burman's rendition of his poetry. I am a great RD fan so cannot help rubbing shoulders with Gulzar saab. I like Gulzar saab's abstractness. But, I don't particularly like the complexity he weaves into his expressions. Some of his early poems were profoundly simply written and yet expressed deep human emotions...

Jane kya soch kar nahi guzra
Ek Pal, raat bhar nahi guzra

Gulzar saab seems to be fixated with the idea of "PAL".

Dafn kar do humein k saans aaye,
nabz "kucch der" se thami si hai

Sometimes, Gulzar saab's poetry becomes a heavy burden on your senses -

kai chaand utth kar jalaye bujhaye
bahut humne chaha zara neend aaye...


What's with the Chaand's jalana and Bujhana?

Here's the song in case you are interested: It is an out-of-the-world composition by RD and rendered in an equally mesmerizing voice of Ashaji. The song is from the film Sitara.

YE SAYE HAI YE DUNIYA HAI

Here's yet another...

Khamosh sa afsana pani se likha hota
Na tumne kaha hota na humne suna hota

I have often thought about this: Khamosh sa afsana...
Sometimes, the creative person in him tries to express the simplest of emotions using an exceedingly complex array of metaphors. But the idea is not spent: if you can wade through the complexity of it - you get to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mirza however talked about the nuances of bitterness, sadness, loneliness, pain, fear in ways that were immediately recognizable - complexity of Urdu itself notwithstanding. One obviously needs to know Urdu in order to appreciate him. Gulzaar saab on the other hand was able to create a here-to-fore not seen complexity in our language of everyday use - HINDI.
But still: at some level I respect Gulzaar saab. His sense for abstractness is amazing. And his power to weave words really doesn't find a parallel elsewhere.

Masle abhi aur bhi hai...fir likhoonga.

Cool Mathematical Tool

Thank you Debjyoti for posting this. I am taking the liberty to cross link it to my blog.

Fun Way To Do Math ... Check this out

Sunday, April 5, 2009

From Swami Dayanand's lectures

Sarvam Brahmamayam re re Sarvam Brahmamayam
Kim Kartavyam Kimakartavyam kim jnatavyam kim ajnatavyam
Sarvam Brahmamayam