Q: I am 31 years old and have recently developed diabetes. When I checked the glucose level, it was about 300 mg/dl. After refraining from sugar and walking regularly for about 30 minutes it came down to 130-175 mg/dl. Do I need any medicine or is there any alternative way to control diabetes? Will having a glass of bitter gourd juice daily help me control diabetes?

A:It is good that you are able to control your blood glucose level with diet and exercise. Following are the targets - keep your fasting blood glucose level at 70-130 mg/dl, PP < 160 mg/dl and glycosylated haemoglobin at <7%. If you are able to do so with lifestyle modifications then it is quite good. It is a fact that large number of patients can do without medications for initial few years. Regarding bitter gourd juice, it is your choice if you can tolerate it then it is ok otherwise just follow diet and exercise.