Taking pleasure in life’s sweetness is a necessary component of properly appreciating our human experience.  The paradox of life is that, even though we have better access to the wide range of sweet treats available around the world than ever before, the number of people who have trouble metabolizing sugar in their bloodstream is on the rise. Diabetes, as it is more popularly known, is becoming an epidemic in many nations. 

Despite significant improvements in the treatment of acute illnesses including infectious infections, injuries, and other life-threatening situations, chronic diseases like diabetes are on the rise dramatically. Diabetes is a major contributor to heart disease, stroke, renal disease, lower limb amputation, blindness, and the sixth largest cause of mortality in India. 

Fortunately, even though diabetes does not yet have a cure, there are interventions and lifestyle changes we can do to influence the disease’s course and avoid complications. The Ayurvedic treatment system provides invaluable knowledge and direction that can assist us in learning to pay attention to our bodies’ signals, spot the early warning signs of imbalance, and make the required adjustments to restore balance. 

Summary: You can better treat and manage this complex disease by taking a new look at the extensive and age-old body of knowledge known as Ayurveda. We at Diabetes Reversal Clinics have always created treatment plans that integrate conventional wisdom with contemporary medicine personalized & unique to every individual.

An Ayurvedic Viewpoint 

The Atharvaveda, one of the four ancient Vedas that emerged in India between 1,500 and 1,000 B.C., contains one of the oldest allusions to the illness we would now know as diabetes. These ancient scriptures provided the foundation for the development of the traditional Ayurvedic holistic healing method. 

Diabetes is referred to in Ayurveda as madhumeha, which is a Sanskrit phrase that means “sweet urine” sickness in English. It is true that when our blood sugar levels exceed a certain point, it leaks into the urine and may be seen there. The earliest descriptions of this illness acknowledge the role that metabolic abnormalities play in the derangements of bodily tissues. This is referred to as dhatupaka janya vikruti in Sanskrit. 

Diabetes’s causes, signs, prognosis, and treatment were all extensively covered in the Vedic literature written thousands of years ago. The multifaceted aspect of diabetes is acknowledged by Ayurveda, which mentions both hereditary tendencies and accumulated imbalances of potentially all three doshas, or mind-body constitutions (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). 

The diabetes forms recognised by Ayurveda include apathyanimittaja, which is characterised by excessive slumber, overindulgence in food and sweets, and a lack of physical activity and tends to manifest later in life. This description is consistent with what is now known in medicine about type 2 diabetes. According to scientific study, a high-fat diet, heavy alcohol consumption, being overweight, and a sedentary lifestyle are risk factors for this kind of diabetes.

A Closer Look at Type 2 Diabetes, Often Associated with a Kapha Dosha Imbalance 

In the past, type 2 diabetes primarily affected elderly patients, but now it’s becoming more common in children and adolescents too, who are also significantly more sedentary and overweight than prior generations. Obesity increases the chance of developing type 2 diabetes and makes it more challenging to manage. 

According to Ayurveda, the main cause of type 2 diabetes is an excess or imbalance of the Kapha dosha, which is made up of the earth and water elements. Kapha regulates our bodies’ physical composition and a number of metabolic functions, but when it accumulates excessively, it can cause weight gain, fatigue, allergies, and reluctance to change. According to Ayurveda, type 2 diabetes is mostly caused by an overactive appetite, particularly for sweet foods. However, an imbalance in the Vata dosha, which is easily inflamed, can occasionally be the cause of overeating. When persons with Vata imbalances overeat to calm themselves, their Kapha can also become out of balance, which can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. (While this essay will concentrate on this form of diabetes, it’s crucial to remember that Ayurveda views type 1 diabetes as predominantly a Vata dosha imbalance.)

Ayurvedic Diet 

Ayurveda advises a Kapha-pacifying diet to maintain control of diabetes since it views the condition as primarily being caused by an excess of the Kapha dosha. The recommendations call for consuming fewer sweet, sour, and salty foods while increasing consumption of bitter, astringent, and pungent foods. 

Here are a few more tips for balancing the Kapha. Remember that an Ayurvedic diet prescription takes into account a variety of variables, including age, physical constitution, season, as well as other environmental and social aspects. As a result, a consultation with a qualified practitioner is required in order to provide personalized suggestions. 

Consume meals that balance the dominant dosha or that will calm down (balance) a dosha that has grown too strong or agitated. Favor foods that are light, dry, or warm because the Kapha dosha tends to be heavy, oily, and cold. 

Limit your dairy intake because it tends to raise Kapha. Low-fat milk, yoghurt, and ghee can all be used in moderation. 

With meals, sipping hot ginger tea can speed up digestion.

 With the exception of soybeans and tofu, which should only be consumed seldom, all beans are healthy for Kapha types.

 Choose lighter fruits like apricots, apples, pears, pomegranates, and cranberries instead. Bananas, pineapples, and figs should be substituted for heavier fruits.

 Favor barley, corn, millet, buckwheat, and rye when choosing grains. Limit your consumption of wheat, rice, and oats. 

Salt is the only spice that does not calm Kapha. Don’t be afraid to include spicy foods in your diet, such as pepper, cayenne, mustard seed, and ginger. 

Summary: The Western medical community’s current understanding of the ideal diet for diabetes advises limiting simple carbohydrates, fats, and other heavy foods while increasing “lighter” foods like beans (as the primary protein source), whole grains, and lighter fruits and vegetables. The Ayurvedic perspective on balancing Kapha is consistent with this understanding.

Get Moving – Yoga for Diabetics!

Lack of physical activity is one of the lifestyle factors that leads to the onset and progression of diabetes, according to both Ayurveda and contemporary medicine. Obesity worsens blood sugar management in those with diabetes and raises the chance of getting the disease. These factors make maintaining an active lifestyle and a healthy weight crucial to the management and prevention of diabetes. 

Any physical activity that lowers blood sugar is beneficial, and aerobic exercise enhances insulin function, allowing glucose to enter cells where it is needed and maintaining normal blood sugar levels.

Physical activity is increased to help balance out excess Kapha dosha. Violent exercise, however, is not always advised, particularly in diabetics who are feeble or skinny (where fat does not play as big of a role), or who have other medical conditions. In these situations, getting expert advice on a suitable workout routine is advised. 

Yoga for Balance and Body-Centered Awareness 

There are particular yoga poses that, according to Ayurveda, provide the most advantages with the least amount of stress. Some examples of these stances are: 

·        forward bend while seated (paschimottanasana) 

·        a tree posture (vrksasana) 

·        Soldiers I and II (virabhadrasana I and II) 

·        a prolonged side angle (utthita parsvakonasana) 

·        Bridge pose (setu bandha sarvangasana) 

·        The gator’s twist (jathara parivartasana) 

·        Pose of relaxation (savasana)

Summary: It’s ideal to aim for moderate activity for a total of thirty minutes each day, at least five days a week, for the majority of people. You might want to work out for longer than 30 minutes each day if you’re aiming to lose weight. Exercise intensity should be gradually increased after a sluggish start.

Spices and Herbs for Diabetes 

Numerous herbs and spices are known to help treat diabetes according to Ayurveda. From a scientific standpoint, we are starting to pinpoint some of these natural medicines’ beneficial effects. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 plant species with recognised effects in lowering blood sugar. To name a few:

 Fitnessnema Sylvestre

 More than 2,000 years ago, this plant was utilised to cure diabetes. A typical vine in central and southern India, it is woody and climbs. This plant was known to Ayurvedic practitioners as gurmar, or “sugar destroyer.” 

In numerous investigations involving animals, gymnema sylvestre has been shown to enhance insulin secretion, boost the effects of circulating insulin, and lower blood glucose levels. The pancreas, which is the organ responsible for producing and secreting insulin, has also been found to benefit from its protective properties. Gymnema sylvestre appears to improve the tissue’s sensitivity to insulin, helping the body’s utilisation of glucose as fuel. 

Foenum-graecum Trigonella (Fenugreek) 

This herb, sometimes known as fenugreek, is grown as a spice all over the world. It is also referred to as methi in Sanskrit. The seed is used in Ayurveda to cure diabetes by making a drink out of it or using the powder or seed into dishes like bread or curries. Fenugreek seeds are rich in fibre, and several of the seed’s constituents have been found to directly lower blood sugar levels. Daily consumption of fenugreek seeds has been demonstrated to reduce insulin resistance and enhance blood sugar regulation. 

Cinnamon 

Recently, this flavorful spice has drawn a lot of interest as a sugar-lowering agent. Cinnamon has been demonstrated to enhance the body’s utilisation of insulin in numerous ways. Additionally to acting directly on our DNA to “switch off” genes that are in charge of deactivating insulin receptors on our cells, it stimulates insulin receptors on the cells. By facilitating the uptake of glucose by cells, these processes lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, cinnamon helps to slow the rise of blood sugar after a meal that is high in carbohydrates. One teaspoon of cinnamon, for instance, could be added to a cup of rice pudding. From an Ayurvedic perspective, cinnamon has a strong flavour and is suggested as part of a diet to balance the Kapha dosha. 

Turmeric 

Due of the association between inflammation and diabetes, this well-known Indian spice is currently being researched for use in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. 

Blood sugar levels are decreased and insulin sensitivity is improved with turmeric. When turmeric was consumed, body weight and fat content significantly decreased. 

Other Healthy Foods 

Numerous foods that have been demonstrated to lower blood glucose levels have also been used traditionally to treat diabetes. For instance, bitter goard, also known as karela, is frequently utilised in many conventional medical systems to treat diabetes. It is believed to function by reducing gastrointestinal glucose absorption, promoting insulin production, and enhancing glucose uptake into muscle cells. There have been no toxicity recorded when used as food in the Indian cuisine. 

Ivy gourd, also known as kanduri, has also been proven to have glucose-lowering properties. This food’s juice contains a sugar-degrading enzyme that people naturally manufacture. Animal studies have demonstrated that extracts of the root and leaf can reduce blood sugar levels. 

According to numerous studies, eating almonds along with a carbohydrate greatly reduced the blood sugar release, much like adding cinnamon to food. To a salad, porridge, or cereal, try adding a few almonds. 

Summary : When patients adopt these dietary adjustments, our clinic has observed patients’ blood sugar levels drop noticeably. We try to not restrict an individuals regular diet as restricting diet is not a viable option for longterm sustainability towards treating diabetes. Thereby we understand our patients routine and dietary habits and advise them a vedic diet and working with them to slowly build a healthy and sustainable dietary lifestyle change. 

The Beneficial Effects of Deep Sleep 

Numerous studies have also shown that meditation has positive impacts on sleep, including reducing insomnia. For those who have diabetes, this is especially crucial because poor sleep can make it harder to control blood sugar. Chronic hormonal abnormalities that result from a lack of sleep can compromise blood sugar regulation. 

People who regularly practise meditation frequently get a good night’s sleep for the first time in years, which enables their hormones—including those that control blood sugar—to regain their natural balance and function.

Overall summary : A balanced, holistic approach that takes into account our body, mind, heart, and spirit is the key to truly appreciating the “sweetness” of life. In addition to preventing or successfully managing diabetes, we can experience greater happiness, fulfillment, and wellbeing by taking care of our overall health and wholeness.