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Diabetes mellitus (DM) has today remained one of the world's greatest medical challenges. It is a metabolic disorder caused by inadequate insulin secretion and/or action leading to increased blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia). World diabetes prevalence is estimated at over 400 million people representing some 8% of the population, while for Africa the prevalence rate is as high as 4.5%. 1 Mortality, morbidity and economic burden for the disease worldwide is high. Mortality is estimated at 5.0 million deaths per year globally and the economic burden stands at over 600 million dollars spent on the disease yearly. 2 Complications of the disease that leads to the mortality and the economic burden includes nephropathy, neuropathy, angiopathy, amputations and blindness. 3 Factors associated with the increase in diabetes prevalence include sedentary life styles, obesity, probable genetic factors and unhealthy eating habits. 4 Dietary regulation with exercise, oral hypoglycaemic drugs and insulin injections 5 remain the major management strategies for the disease by orthodox medical practitioners. Side effects, compliance and costs, thereby leading to