Connecting the Dots

            Over the past three weeks we’ve been studying the relationships between the body, mind, and spirit, and how disease can disrupt that balance. At first I was a little skeptical of the whole idea of Aryuveda and thought it to be initially quite. However, I found that by studying more about it, as well as it’s practical application with diabetes as a case study, that it turns out to be a really great tool of characterizing disease as a disruptor of harmony between body systems. 

Here, in entries from the first week, I explored the concept of Aryuveda and it’s usefulness as a broad idea to describe physical, emotional, and mental balance. Hence, tenses may change and fluctuate from past to present due to it being written as a journal entry. I decided to leave it this way so as to let the audience observe my progression in understanding the idea a little better.

“To go along with the semester theme of Aryuveda, we had a discussion in class today regarding the interconnectedness and balance present between the body, mind, and spirit. The question was posed as to what composed the spirit of a person and how that was related to the mind. I must say that this question has often puzzled me and given me a lot to think about even prior to todays discussion. It was proposed that the mind is the chemical and physical processes that effect how are body works and that the spirit is more the defined by our feelings. However, this doesn't seem to be a perfect answer because we know that so many of our emotions are stimulated and propagated by chemical signaling through various structures of the brain. The limbic system for example is where most of our emotional responses have been isolated to according to studies using pET scanning techniques. So emotion can't be what separates the mind from the spirit according to the proposed definition. I couldn't articulate a good answer at this moment other than maybe the spirit is something that is not understood at the moment and for that reason, no distinction can be made between the two because one is very poorly understood. Most likely because we do not have the scientific means to prove its existence. “

            However, as I mulled the idea over in my mind I began to think of it’s usefulness as a vehicle for exploration in discovering new knowledge leading to my following entry.

“The idea that the body and the mind are connected has gotten me thinking about the experiments that could be set up or observed to test the hypothesis.  I'm excited to do more research into it this semester. I'm excited to link concepts in scientific knowledge regarding body systems, with their correlating systems in the mind. My group wants to study particularly the effects that sleep has on the psychological function of the brain, as well as the physical repercussions of either sufficient or insufficient sleep. Maybe even too much sleep is bad for you?”

But I needed more information. My understanding of Aryuveda was still a little cloudy and I was struggling to fit it into my mindset of rigorous science being used to prove things as either true or false. This took me down my next rabbit hole;

“Upon researching specific articles and information regarding the practice of Aryuveda I came across a fact that stated that the practice is about 5,000 years old. What impacted me the most from the article was the fact that humans have always been drawn to a systematic way of determining best health practices. That our desire for good health pushes us towards scientific analysis of what does and does not work. I am particularly fond of the for just that reason. The simple existence of Aryuveda, which means "life science/knowledge", is a testament to the human drive to "feel" the best that we possibly can, and to approach the problem in a systematic fashion. Although many things in Aryuveda do not align with modern scientific theory, the discovery of Aryuvedic prevention medicine appears to have been a process of trial and error, while carefully noting down the things that do and do not work. It is if anything, a demonstration of how the mind desires to be in balance with the body, pushing itself to logically reason through and retain the different processes necessary to maintain that balance.”

In order to expand on that idea, I read an article regarding how Aryuveda does not focus so much on confronting disease as it does in preventing the appearance of disease. Aryuvedic theory proposes that disease is the manifestation of an imbalance between the body, mind, and spirit. Thus, to prevent disease, the objective must be to keep those three things in balance. One big idea in the paper that I read was that stress, both physical and emotional, is at the root of many diseases. While we know that some forms of stress are healthy and can produce growth, it is also documented as to how stress decreases our body's ability to fight disease. I particularly liked their comparison of stress to that of the roots of a tree. We do not acknowledge the tree fully until we see it's strong trunk, branches and leaves. And though we might try to prune at the tree, it will not die until the roots are removed from the ground. Stress and other undercurrents in our lives act as the roots of a tree feeding the branches and leaves which are the manifested symptoms of the disease. I thought that this was a particularly good analogy because it points out how often we use our scientific knowledge to address components, but not the whole reason behind a disease. 

            Now that I had a better understanding of Aryuveda it was nice to then come to class and have discussions, as well as think of my own life experiences, seeing how diabetes offsets that balance between the mind and body. Discussions ranged from ethics and philosophy, to real world examples and economic consequences of the imbalance. Here are a few entries showing my thoughts.

“Today we had a lively discussion in class regarding the economic burden of diabetes and obesity and what role government plays in mitigating the impacts of these diseases. One of the major discussions focused on whether or not the government had the right to direct the food choices of people receiving food through programs like SNAP. Two arguments were posed that I felt were equally valid, only adding to the complexity of the problem. The first posed that if someone who is on food stamps is already using the governments aid, then their eating habits should be directed in a way as to prevent any further burden to the healthcare system by preventing or mitigating diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The other argument to counter was that the restriction of agency in food choices could lead to discouragement in this demographic, leading to overall poorer quality of life and maybe indirectly, poorer health. I honestly don't know which camp I am in because it is a decision that involves many complexities that I obviously have yet to account for, but I am interested in studying further.”

Upon reflecting about the sheer prevalence of diabetes as a disease as well as the demographics that it most generally afflicts, I kept thinking about my experience at the Doctor's Volunteer Clinic in St. George. The DVC is a free clinic where patients who do not health insurance can come to be cared for by volunteer physicians and nurse practitioners. My job while I was there was to scribe for physicians as well as interpret interactions in Spanish. The single-most common appointment that people came in for was either a diabetes check-up, or a "let's get my diabetes under control" meeting. Mostly the latter. Upon reading this literature it makes perfect sense regarding the low-income populations mentioned and how they are most heavily afflicted by complications with diabetes. Without regular check-ups, it is ridiculously easy to let it get out of control, and for complications to then arise. The worst thing I saw was a disabled young man who had been having chronic diarrhea for weeks due to his family members failing to control his diabetes. 

As I read more and more articles I found that more and more questions arose. Particularly about the economic burdens resulting from diabetes. Not just the visible, emotional problems that I had seen in clinic. Here are some thoughts;

“Today while reading the economic article I was particularly concerned by the statistics regarding the population over the age of 65. Particularly because of the fact that 61 percent of healthcare costs for this age group are solely due to patients with diabetes. It could then be inferred that Medicare covers most everyone over the age of 65 and thus raises the question, does diabetes and related illnesses account for 61 percent of Medicare costs?”

            As I thought about our plight my mind was drawn to examples of this burden placed on society through the insurance model. I have most readily been exposed to it in the emergency medicine system and it is quite apparent, if not blatant. 

A few months ago I was working my job on the ambulance, working as an EMT. One of the most common calls that we get are diabetic emergencies, usually due to hypoglycemia and occasionally hyperglycemia. In this case the patient was hypoglycemic and was quickly brought back to consciousness with some intravenous glucose. However, what struck me about this patient, in light of this article articulating the amount of prescriptions written for diabetic patients, was the sheer volume of medications listed in their medical record. Upon reflection, I've realized that that same pattern is seen in almost every diabetic patient that I've helped while working on the ambulance. The pattern is undeniable and shows that diabetes as a disease is not contained to just itself but brings on a whole myriad of complications, each requiring it's specifically tailored pharmaceutical. 

            Overall, the big take home message for me from the past weeks of study is that the body must retain a delicate balance. Diabetes and the mechanisms of insulin dependence and insulin resistance are perfect examples of how when this balance is disrupted, both the mind and body are afflicted. A person’s emotions as well are subject to severe damage just because of all of the inevitable medical complications. I eagerly look forward to observing more examples of this balance and further practice in articulating the great need to maintain it.

Curated Paper 1

Curated Paper : Diabetes and Ayurveda

            Ayurveda is a term of Indian origin that refers to a popular form of holistic medicine. Holistic medicine is meant to treat not only the physical body, but also the mind and the spirit or soul. As with most medicine of its time, Ayurvedic physicians treated physical ailments with things like herbs and other concocted treatments. To aid with treatment of these physical ailments as well as to treat illnesses of the mind, these holistic doctors would often prescribe meditation. The practice of meditation is meant to bring awareness you one’s self with regards to mind and body. Many people today continue to use meditation as a means of stress relief in their day to day lives. Part of holistic medicine also focuses on ways of preventing illness.

            In Ayurvedic medicine, physicians made several suggestions regarding the prevention of sickness. The first of these “prescriptions” was to eat a colorful, flavorful diet. This refers particularly to fruits and vegetables. Different colored fruits and vegetables have different essential vitamins and minerals in varying levels. This leads into another pillar of preventative medicine called “digestive power.” This means exactly what it sounds like. People needed to keep their digestive systems strong if they wanted the rest of their bodies to remain healthy. Some ways that people could do this included drinking hot water with ginger throughout the day, eating in moderation, and eating more cooked foods than raw foods (raw foods are harder to digest). Ayurvedic medicine also had a rule called the Law of Least Effort. It was another way to keep the stress at bay. To provide an example of this, think of grass. It does not try to grow, it simply does. Sleep is also an important part of preventative medicine. Physicians recommend six to eight hours of restful sleep per night for most adults. During restful sleep, the body heals itself. The immune system is strengthened and the mind is put at ease as it processes the day’s events. Another part of holistic medicine that strengthens the mind and body is exercise. Ayurvedic physicians encouraged some daily, moderate exercise to keep illness away. However, you were not encouraged to do any type of exercise that made you extremely uncomfortable. Finally, being in tune with nature acted as the last important “prescription” in holistic medicine. This didn’t always necessarily mean being an outdoorsy person. It simply meant that needs and desires should not be in conflict. One should be in harmony, as nature is. The whole concept of Ayurveda can be melded with our knowledge and perceptions of the diseases our population faces today. One such condition is diabetes mellitus.

            Diabetes is a disease that affects a large percent of the world population. Most of those affected are over sixty-five years of age. There are two types of diabetes and they are referred to as Type 1and Type 2. Type 1 occurs when the beta cells in the pancreas cannot create and secrete insulin into the bloodstream. Type 2 occurs as a result of lifestyle choices. The body becomes insulin-resistant, so blood sugar levels are not as easily controlled. Regardless of what type of diabetes a patient is suffering from, the concept of Ayurveda may be able to benefit them if they incorporate its principle into their lives.

            The ayurvedic principles regarding a colorful diet, digestive power, and exercise could physically benefit many diabetics. Eating a lot of colorful vegetables and lean proteins could help regulate blood sugar levels and keep them within healthy ranges. However, as mentioned above, Ayurveda does not just focus on the physical body. It also heals the mind. One of the things that were discussed in class regarding the non-physical aspects of diabetes was the fact that many diabetic patients feel like healthcare providers are biased against them. This could be because many Type 2 diabetic patients are considered overweight or obese according to their BMI and they feel like their healthcare providers are judging them and blaming them for their illness. We, as current or future healthcare providers have a responsibility to withhold judgement and to help our patients to the best of our abilities physically as well as mentally. When you become a healthcare provider, you also become a part time therapist, whether that’s what you signed up for or not. Helping diabetic patients physically and mentally can provide them with better outcomes, which is something healthcare is always striving for. 

Ayurveda, Diabetes, and Mental Health

The first time that we met as a class and discussed the concept of Ayurveda, I have to say that confusion was the one feeling that I have about this topic. The reasoning is because we reached no real definition of what it is. From what we discussed I believe that it is the balancing of mind, spirit, and body. However, as I conduct more research about the subject, I am led to the understanding that there is a lot than what meets the surface when it comes to what Ayurveda is.

So the independent research began.

I decided to do research specifically on the definition of Ayurveda means and why there is such a variety of meanings. From what I discovered, it is an extremely old practice that was developed in India to provide a way for life full of health. The sole purpose of Ayurveda is finding balance between your mind, body, and spirit. I learned that it is actually a form of alternative medicine in the United States and is registered under the CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) category.

As I continued my study about Ayurveda, I also wanted to include thinking about the project that our group wanted to do. One of our group members struggled mightily to understand the importance of Ayurveda and the potential implications that it can have if adopted into mainstream medicine. As a group we decided we narrowed down our topic choices between the effect of physical exercise on those suffering from depression, and the physiological effects of physical exercise on the mind. Both of these topics are extremely interesting to our group and have significant ties to Ayurveda.

One of the many beliefs of Ayurveda is that every person is made out of five basic elements (space, fire, air, water, and earth) and they all combine to form three life forces which are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha. It seemed almost like a personality test, similar to the one that is given before entering college to help provide guidance on what to become. It was so interesting to try and identify what instances in life would lead one to identify with a specific life force. Understanding one’s self and identifying weakness is also a belief expressed in Ayurveda.

Our first meeting in the class discussing was quite the experience. The usual fast paced lectures, inordinate amount of material, and one-way communication from the professor to students was no more. Instead it was replaced with an open atmosphere in which one could communicate thoughts and feelings and insights with other students in hopes that we would grow in understanding together.

Following the first-class period, I dove into our readings containing an article about the Inhibition of GSK3 and Survival of Pancreatic Beta Cells. This study applies directly to what we will talk about because they discovered that cell function and mass of beta cells can actually be regenerated in patients that have diabetes. This is such a big deal because it presents a way that is an alternative option to the current options that we have that struggle with maintaining optimal control. Some other big findings are that the GSK3 inhibitors also help lift the toxic effects of high concentration of glucose.

 I particularly enjoyed this study because I have family members that suffer from Diabetes and there has been an immense spike in the cost of Insulin in the past year. My grandpa suffers from diabetes and he is extremely healthy and has lived a life of physical activity, good diet, and rather good genetics but still relies heavily on external insulin shots to regulate his blood-glucose levels. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, Diabetes occurs when “…the body's system for fighting infection, attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.” This is brought on due to genes and environmental factors such as viruses. This new finding presents another way to regulate glycemic control limiting the amount of insulin that is used and thereby reducing cost and providing an answer to an epidemic that is going on.

We also discussed the economic implications of diabetes by reading through one of the most eye-opening articles called the “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017”. Astounded is an excellent word to describe the numbers and figures that pertain to the epidemic. The first figure that stuck out was the sheer cost of diagnosed diabetes which in 2017 was $327 billion dollars (Diabetes Care 2018). To put that into a picture that is half of our military spending budget proposed in 2018. Along with the immense price tag that accompanies it, is the large individual amount of money that is required to provide the needed care and items for those that have diabetes. It costs nearly $16,750 per year for those treatments. What makes these figures so concerning is that they aren’t stopping or decreasing, but they are rising quickly. Since 2012, the cost has nearly quartered, with talk of it increasing because of the insulin crisis that is occurring right now. Diabetes not only causes physical harm, but also has a major effect on the persons financial situation and that is why it is so important that we are doing all we can to prevent it.

On other pages in the study researchers discussed the many factors that were considered when estimating the indirect cost of diabetes. Some include reduced productivity, reduced workforce, missed days at work because of health problems. It is tough to understand the lost time that goes to treat diabetes, but if when totaling all of the doctor’s visits, prescription pick-ups, sick days, and days that the body just simply isn’t working, it definitely adds up and provides a hindrance to regular day activities. That does not include emergency appointments, days spent in the hospital, and Insulin pumps that need to be purchased. All in all, it is best practice to maintain your health and take care of your body that it can last longer and have a lower chance of getting diabetes.

The topic of Ayurveda was plentiful and abound during the discussions pertaining to diabetes and the shift to group project was made in the recent class periods. I decided to dig a little deeper on diabetes and connect it with the topic that our group has chosen to address. We wanted to study the effect of physical exercise on mental health, and determine if there was any correlation between diabetes and mental health. We struck gold.

 In an article published in 2003 by the German National Health Interview and Examination Board, “diabetes was associated with an increased likelihood of anxiety disorders.” They found that those with diabetes had higher prevalence rates than those that did not suffer diabetes, but there are many more factors to consider that contribute to mental health than just diabetes. The German National Health Interview and Examination Board also found that exercise not only delays the natural aging process but those that regularly exercise have 30 percent lower levels of depression than those than the regular population.

Ayurveda is prevalent in every health disorder and provides added insight into the linkages between our mind, body, and spirit. As we are able to better understand the connection between mind, body, and spirit we will be able to find better ways to treat diseases that have a devastating grip on our society.

Ayurveda with Diabetes and a Little Bit on Sleep Deprivation

Looking into ayurveda, there is a lot to be found about healing and medicine. I wanted to go past that and learn a little bit more about the origins of the word/concept. We did talk about how ayur means “life” and veda means “knowledge” but I wanted to see exactly where it came from and the why behind it. What I found is that the concept dates back to over 1000 years ago in India and yet, it is still talked about today. I learned that ayurveda encompasses various systems and focuses on a balance between order and disorder (www.healthandhealingny.org). The first thing that always comes to my mind when I hear the word balance is homeostasis. To me, ayurveda is like a much broader meaning of homeostasis where we are looking at balance is all things in life. I’m sure my interpretation of the word/concept will change as we go but for now, balance and homeostasis are how I’ll look at ayurveda.

For our research project, my group chose a topic in which we can apply the concept of ayurveda. We wanted to see if an imbalance in sleep can lead to an imbalance in regulating blood glucose levels, leading to diabetes. I’m sure most people would agree that sleep is essential to maintain good health but could it possibly lead to a serious condition like diabetes?

Discussing diabetes in class has been a great kickstart for my group’s project. Reviewing the physiology behind diabetes has given us great background information about the disease. As we talked about in class, type 2 tells us the body is either resistant to and doesn’t produce enough insulin. As I’ve learned from research, which may be commonly known, sleep is essential for recovery and restoration. Thinking back to balance it would make sense that sleep, which is so important for maintaining a healthy body, could have an impact on cells and their ability to react to insulin. As I said before, this has been a great start but we want to find more information on the behind this disease.

Over the course of my biology courses at SUU, I feel like I have learned quite a bit about diabetes. However, it wasn’t until our class discussion that I started thinking about the holistic impact that the disease can have on the body. Relating the idea of ayurveda to diabetes, I began thinking of how the imbalance of the disease can lead to other imbalances in the body. As we have seen, irregular glucose levels can lead to cardiovascular issues, renal failure, amputation, nerve pain and more. The complications associated with diabetes are so far reaching and it seems most people don’t even realize this.

Diving deeper into the topic, our class has had some intriguing discussions on the disease. Discussions covering the costs of treating diabetes and pondering potential causes behind diabetes becoming an epidemic. A popular opinion is that it is more convenient to eat poorly and that poor diet could lead to the development of the disease. I agreed with that rationale but I think another important piece to the puzzle is that diabetes is relatively easy to manage. With pumps and insulin shots, people can “stay on top” of the disease and minimize symptoms. Due to this, I think people are less likely to try and be active and instead rely on medication. I’ve seen this in doctors’ offices where patients have a choice between taking several medications and exercising daily. Without much surprise, the vast majority chose the former. I believe that mentality is a big part of why diabetes has spiked in the U.S.

A quick sidebar on the costs of diabetes. Reading through Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017, I was truly amazed at the costs of diabetes, both direct and indirect. One eye-popping stat to me was that 1 in 4 health care dollars spent is attributable to diabetes. I suppose that stat doesn’t seem as unreasonable when you account for all the far reaching implications of the disease. Diabetes causes complications in the heart, kidneys, nerves, vasculature, etc. so ~$330 billion going towards treating the disease actually makes a lot of sense. I knew CVD was a leading cause of death in the U.S. but I never realize that manifestation of that disease can be very well attributed to diabetes. Referring back to ayurveda and balance, it seems an imbalance in the body can snowball into an imbalance in a nation’s economy.

Some final thoughts on diabetes, for now at least. I want to share a personal story about a family member of mine that has struggled with the disease. This family member has type 2 diabetes and frankly, they do very little to manage their condition. Very poor diet choices, lack of physical activity and poor management of medication has lead to several paramedic visits. Recently, this relative had to be hospitalized and sent to the ICU in an effort to wake them from a diabetic coma. Even with several near death occurrences, this family member continues to ignore advice on how to better manage their illness. I wanted to share this story not to berate my family member but rather to show an example of how hard it can be to change someone’s lifestyle, especially if they don’t think they need to change. Combating diabetes has to start at the ground level; teaching kids to stay active and develop good eating habits. Waiting for the disease to develop or waiting till someone develops bad habits is far too late.

Now, to wrap up this blog post. These past few weeks have been full of new information to me. Ayurveda, costs of diabetes, sleep deprivation as it relates to the disease, etc. There has been a lot to think about. I would say my biggest take-away from this class so far is thinking more holistically. Not just toward how diseases affect the body but how they can cause imbalances in unknown areas of life. I’m enjoying this ayurveda way of thinking and I’m excited to see where it takes me during this course.

Investigating Disease in Light of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an idea that focuses on the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit. It’s an ideology that seems foreign to many, but it manifests itself in our daily experiences more than we think. Principles of diet and exercise are focused on helping people have the motivation to keep their body in a healthy state. Many religious traditions teach that the body is the home of the spirit, and that the individual is comprised of these parts balancing with each other. That which affects the body also affects the mind and spirit and vice versa. Some people and groups use this idea in working in many disciplines and especially in serving people. For example, there is a Christian mission in the Dominican Republic dedicated to serving the people within impoverished areas where people are in need of basic necessities. The resources they focused on providing were medical care, education, and spiritual care.  They had a motto that defined the focus of their efforts. Their guiding principles was to strengthen the body, mind, and soul of the people. There it is--Ayurveda. They had a strong belief that each aspect of the life of the person had to be strengthened together, and that the strength of each was dependent upon the other. It worked well for them. It gave them a goal and specific areas to work with. It is important that multiple aspects of the whole are considered to bring about the best outcome.

When looking at disease and wellness in light of Ayurveda, multiple pieces fit together to create the whole picture. There is the body aspect which requires a thorough investigation into the facts and the science behind what is occurring in the body. It requires testing and investigation. Then there is the mind aspect. How does treatment affect the person? How is the person’s lifestyle and motivations going to affect the course of the disease? Are they mentally fit to deal with what might be required of them? Are the effects on the mind worth the risk to heal the body? It’s a broad concept that can open the door to a valuable way of thinking about wellness and disease.

The biology of disease is all about this great balance. One change elicits a response, for good or bad. Each aspect of the organism is connected to the other. Issues with mental health may cause changes in hormone levels and metabolism. Sleep deprivation may lead to metabolic changes and increase the risk of certain diseases. The whole system is in constant motion working toward balance and equilibrium. Disease comes from an imbalance or lack of proper function. In Ayurvedic medicine, for example, they use a method called Panchakarma which uses multiple methods to cleanse the body, mind, and consciousness. It is designed to help the person eliminate toxins in the body that might contribute to organ dysfunction and chronic disease. They emphasize the need for reducing stress through means such as meditation to slow the aging process and allow for balance and a strong immune system. The whole aim of this medical perspective is establishing a state of balance in the body to provide optimal health and wellness.

Some diseases are defined by their origins in and causation of imbalances. Seeing these diseases in light of Ayurveda can be enlightening. Diabetes is one of these diseases. Diabetes is often described as a pandemic, but it is not a quick killer. It is slow if uncontrolled and damage can be irreversible. Even though diabetes has a specific set of symptoms and involves specific organs and mechanisms, it is not isolated from other systems. The changes it causes have a cascade effect. For example, cardiovascular disease is now a major concern that can arise from uncontrolled diabetes. The mechanisms for this connection have been researched and the imbalances are small and specific, but powerful. When researching about diseases such as diabetes, we need to consider the effects on the whole person and not just those things that are obvious. Diabetes not only results in imbalances but the risk of its development from imbalances themselves. Some of these imbalances come from sources that might not be expected. For example, many sleep apnea and sleep disordered patients over 65 are diabetics and sleep deprivation is now showing to be a factor in the onset of insulin resistance. Sleep and diabetes have a connection that can’t be ignored.

Just as the onset of diabetes is caused by imbalance, it is best treated by reinstating balance. With Type I diabetics, supplementing insulin helps reinstate normal processes. Type 2 diabetics have a more difficult journey to balance. Physical inactivity and diet are the large components that contribute to the onset of the disease. A battle between the body and the mind has to take place to make changes in lifestyle that can recreate balance. In other words, the body must become balanced with the mind and the motivations of the spirit to bring control. Helping diabetics develop this control is one of the greatest challenges in their care. It’s unclear what the best way to inspire this change is.  Is it better education? The fear factor? Incentives and/or policies and laws? Each individual has to find their own balance, I guess. It could be that we focus too much on the body aspect and that doesn’t resonate with people. We emphasize weight loss, what to eat and not to eat, certain amounts of needed exercise. Maybe the perspective should be the whole picture, the mind and the spirit. Instead of talking about weight loss goals, maybe the goal should be the cultivation of a lifestyle that promotes wellness. Being healthy is an individual bar that everyone can reach, while establishing a number of pounds to be lost can be simply discouraging. People should be educated about what it looks like and feels like to be healthy and then be allowed to use their mind and their ambitions to get there.

Imbalance from diseases such as diabetes are not only present on a personal, biological level, but can also be seen on the societal level. Society is similar to a body, and the same concepts can apply on this level. Diabetes care has a hefty price tag and can put a burden on any economy. Money that has to be put forth for diabetes care cannot be used in other deserving areas. Some areas in need of focus might need to be overlooked. The cost of care isn’t the only concern. Indirect costs resulting from loss of productivity put a large burden on society. This goes to show that imbalances in individuals can create issues that affects millions of people. Analyzing diseases in this societal perspective reinforces the need for investigation into the best way to restore proper function. Society is made up of individual people. Making sure things are functioning properly therefore should become the responsibility of the individual.

Understanding disease states and dysfunction is complex and requires taking into consideration so many aspects that might not be obvious. Researching disease in light of Ayurveda can open up so many paths that can broaden understanding. Realizing the body is in constant balance and that one imbalance can have a cascading effect can guide research into ideas that might not have been obvious before. Diabetes is a great example of a disease that can be better understand with the idea of balance in mind, but all diseases have some form of imbalance and realizing that can open our eyes to just how much of an impact it might be having. In our personal lives, we need to understand the results of our choices, both in personal and health-related matters, can be far reaching. Balance is an essential component in our lives. We all need a little Ayurveda. A balance between the body, mind and spirit.

Hindu Medicine and Obesity

Ayurveda is not a common word you hear in America. I am finishing my biology degree at Southern Utah University, I’m also twenty-one years old. Last week was the first time that I heard the word “Ayurveda”, in a biology lecture given by Dr. Jon Karpel. I still don’t completely understand the meaning of this mysterious word and even after doing research there seems to be many. To better comprehend the meaning I have resorted to looking up the history. Ayurvedic system of medicine is estimated to have started in India around 3,000 thousand years ago. Although, throughout time this Hindu form of medicine has slightly changed.

The first period was based on classical research, which makes sense given all forms of science start out with investigation and testing. Given that this research was done centuries ago, it’s practical that proper research methods were not used. Leading to the next period of stagnation and recompilation. At the height of Ayurvedic medicine was based off preventative measures, personal and social hygiene, rejuvenating measures, and the practice of yoga. As you can see many of these principles are used in modern medicine. This ancient Indian form of medicine had concepts that are widely known today as being helpful, these “practitioners” must of had some clue to how the human body functions.

In an article published by the World Health Organization states that the main principle of Ayurveda is, “human beings are miniature imitation of the universe, and whatever properties are contained in the universe are also found in the human body and whatever are in the human body are found in the universe” (Newell, 1975). How interesting is this phrasing stating that there are similar characteristics between humans and the universe itself, it makes you stop and think. When the universe is unbalanced natural disasters occur and tragedy takes place until balance is restored. When disease makes it’s when into the body illness occurs, sickness and possibly death takes place until human body is returned to its natural balance.

Ayurvedic medicine would seem to be “natural” medicine and one might think that internal medication is not used. This is wrong. Drugs are important in the prevention and elimination of possible factors that would cause illness. Since first century Rome to nineteenth century German, scientists have known that inflammation has a link to cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disease. Researchers in India claim that Ayurvedic plants are a safe and effective method for anti-inflammatory agents to treat chronic disease (Aggarwal, 2011). All in all, some forms of Ayurvedic medicine can be tested in a laboratory but the main principle behind this form of medicine cannot be so easily understood.

Diabetes is a perfect example of the how catastrophic symptoms can happen when the human body is essentially “unbalanced”. I have learned in other classes the mechanisms of diabetes type 1 and 2. Although, I have always thought that people developed type 2 diabetes due to putting too much glucose into their and desensitizing their receptors. I learned from reading the article that this is not the case. I also learned that diabetes affects the balance of the body not only with glucose but also hormone imbalance. This is just one example of how the human body reacts when even the slightest problems occur. This misunderstanding is also just one example where scientist/doctors were wrong, often times they are which is why healthcare is always changing.

Since I have been reading about diabetes and contemplating on ayurveda I am more concerned with what I am putting into my body. Every time I have had a sip of Mountain Dew, ate two chocolate cookies, and even a downed slice of pizza, I am concerned for my health. Since I have taken a nutrition class I understand that eating badly for a week isn’t going to cause me to develop cardiovascular disease but I am gaining bad habits. Daily exercise is one way to possibly prevent developing diabetes. I am very good at making sure I am at least getting an hour of hard exercise everyday. My grandfather on my mom’s side has diabetes so I know that I am more genetically prone.

My eyes have been opened! Diabetes is an epidemic and I fully understand why. I walk around the student center and it feels like everyone is drinking their soda and eating chick-fil-a (How do college students afford to eat that everyday?). Most college students understand that they are eating unhealthy but they feel they are invisible. I myself often feel this way. Possibly more education would cause the population of the United States to eat healthier and exercise more regularly.


The cost of paying for diabetes is depressing. I can only imagine how 327 billion could be used to help our nation or spent to better individuals lives. I already mentioned above that my grandfather has diabetes and he is eligible for Medicare. The average age of developing diabetes is 40 and above. I have been thinking about this and it is usually around that age where adults stop caring about their appearance and “let themselves go”. What they don’t fully understand is that they are jeopardizing their health. Each year you have diabetes you lose more years off your life. Developing diabetes is a bad deal. If you are obese you are more will experience more inflammation which will cause you to feel worse. I could go on and on about the issues that occur when you are overweight but the biggest concerns are developing diabetes and CVD.

Daniel U. Flores

Professor Karpel

Biology 4500-01

Ayurveda comes from the ancient indic language Sanskrit, it meaning comes from two words ayur(life) and Veda(knowledge). Advocates of ayurveda believe that each individual is made of five universal elements: space,air, fire, earth, and water.  Each individual can have a different set of priorities and goals, what is important for me could be considered irrelevant for somebody else. For example, I believe that dieting is more important than exercising, somebody else could have a different perspective and think the opposite . The essential message of ayurveda, is that everything in the universe is connected and every action has a reaction. There is extensive research that indicates that what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood. Other research indicates that sleep and mental health are closely connected. Sleep deprivation affects your psychological state and mental health. Ayurveda is a set of guidelines to achieve balance. I think our lives are directly linked to ayurveda, and can be well managed by following the principles of ayurveda. We can better understand ayurveda by analyzing the causes and effect of a disease, its preventive care, and the economic impact.

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood sugar. These diseases are mainly caused by hormonal and cellular defects, which result in an elevated glucose level in the blood. Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, plays a major role in the rising of glucose levels.  It is predicted that within the next 30 years the number of cases of diabetes will double due to the increase in population, urbanization, and many other factors. Research shows that the majority of individuals with diabetes have the type 2 and the majority of those same cases are overweight. This same study shows a significant increase of diabetes in youth throughout the globe.

Ayurveda concentrates on finding different ways to managed and treated a disease, diabetes can be prevented or managed under certain circumstances depending of the individual. Some studies have proven that a change in diet and physical activity could be a beneficial tool in the prevention of diabetes. Management of glucose levels is another preventive tool.  Preventive care, such as regular screenings among individuals with a family history of obesity or diabetes, could aid in the early detection and treatment process. We currently have a variety of tests available to diagnose diabetes. With these tests we can precisely detect the type of diabetes and find the most effective treatment available for each individual. One example of these tests is the Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) test, which does not require the individual to abstain from food. This test measures the blood sugar percentage attached to hemoglobin, and it also measures the amount of oxygen carrying proteins in the blood cells.  Levels over 6.5 percent indicate that the individual has diabetes, digits between 6.4 and 5.7 percent indicate pre-diabetes, and anything below 5.7 is considered normal. Another alternative to detect diabetes is the Fasting Blood Sugar test. In this test blood samples are taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level over 126 mg/dL in an individual is a positive result for diabetes. Levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetes. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL is normal.

There are other factors that play an important role in the prevention and managed of diabetes, as it was explained before balance is the main concept of ayurveda; therefore, the economic impact of diabetes also needs to be taken into consideration.In the United States, the costs of diabetes mellitus are on the rise. The cost for medical treatment increased from $1 billion per year to $116 billion per year, in between 1970 and 2007. Even though, diabetics only comprise 7 percent of the population, two in every 10 dollars are spent in medical care for diabetics. A healthy lifestyle is considered the best tool to prevent diabetes; this can be achieved by creating culture in which preventive care, diet, and exercise are the main route towards prevention. We are all at risk for diabetes, not because our family history but because of our lifestyle choices. According to a study by the health affairs, one in three Americans born today will develop diabetes over his or her lifetime.

We put a lot of emphasis on preventive measures to reduce diabetes and obesity; multiple sources indicate that in order to prevent diabetes we must change environmental and social condition; people should be encouraged to be physically active, have a healthy diet, and maintain optimal body weight. These are indeed great guidelines and principles; however, as a society we need to address a major problem, which is health care reform. The price of insulin, which is the primary medication for many diabetes patients, has increased by 200 percent between 2002 and 2013. According to a survey by The American Diabetes Association, many reported that they could no longer afford the medication because of price hikes. As a result, they took less of the prescribed dosage or missed a dose. This is one of the major reasons patients developed neurological problems, amputations, cardiovascular, renal and other major complications. These complications increase the medical spending from the federal government. We need to take a more effective approach where the burden of patients with chronic disease can be alleviated. Effective policies must also be enacted to address chronic diseases at a local, state, and federal level. The cost of diabetic complications could be prevented by early intervention, in were diabetic patients have access to affordable healthcare and fair drug pricing. The health affairs study also indicates that low-income individuals are better able to manage their disease in states that expanded Medicaid. The study also shows a 40 percent increase in filled prescriptions for diabetes drugs in the 30 states currently participating in the Medicaid expansion program. In contrast, the states that did not adopt the Medicaid expansion did not see a significant change in filled prescription drugs.

In the long run, preventing diabetic complications not only saves lives, but also it improves public health and saves public money. Ayurveda help us understand the importance of balance and how everything is connected to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Ayurveda, Diabetes, and Addiction

Ashley Garcia
September 23, 2018

            The central idea for this course is Ayurveda, and when this word was presented to us in class most of us, if not all of us, had never heard of this word. So, what is Ayurveda? The word Ayurveda can be broken up into two parts; “Ayur” meaning life or sacred and “Veda” meaning science or knowledge. So, Ayurveda roughly translates to “the science of longevity” or “the sacred knowledge of life”. From our initial discussion, there seemed like there are few slightly different views on Ayurveda, but in the end, the class concluded that Ayurveda is the balance of mind, body, and spirit. It’s important that each element have balance and be in balance with the other elements.  In class, we discussed how imbalances in our body can lead to disease. For example, the balance needed to maintain the cell cycle. The cell cycle is a highly regulated process that has specific ques to start, to enter the next phase of mitosis, and to stop. When those checkpoint in cell division are not properly regulated and monitored you end up with a cancerous cell.
            After our initial discussion of Ayurveda, I felt like I didn’t understand what Ayurveda meant, so I decided to do some research. On Wikipedia, I found that Ayurveda is a system of medicine with its roots in India; which we’ve briefly discussed in class. I visited a few sites on Ayurveda and I saw that most of them talked about Ayurveda as a medical system. But one of the sites I found expanded on that idea and stated that Ayurveda is a unique approach to health care in the form of self-discovery.  I personally liked this take on Ayurveda because they emphasized the importance of self, and I feel like modern medicine is looking to involve patients more with their healthcare. This website went on to say that Ayurveda can help everyone sync up with our truest nature, honor and develop our strengths, hone in on our challenge areas, redirect detrimental tendencies, and maintain balance in the face of adversity. I like this way of thinking of Ayurveda a lot more. To me it seems like many might see Ayurveda as just another pseudo-medical practice, but, Ayurveda is more than herbs and pseudo-medicine it’s a lifestyle.
            Another example of how balance is important to health is diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that involves problems with the hormone insulin and caused an imbalance in blood sugar levels. During our discussion of diabetes, I learned some new things. First off, I learned that there are three types of diabetes Type 1 usually occurs early on in life due to an immune response, such as inflammation. And in molecular biology and biochemistry, I learned that chemical pathways aren’t isolated. Rather they are networks that affect one another. Type 1 diabetes can be caused by an inflammatory reaction. And when the chemical information isn’t relayed properly it causes immune cells to attach β cells which make insulin. Type two occurs later in life and is closely associated with being overweight. And type 3 is an insulin resistance in the brain that is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. I’m thinking about going into geriatrics, so I enjoy learning more about Alzheimer’s and its pathogenesis. I was surprised to learn that there’s a link between the two diseases.
            Our first assignment for class was to read an article on diabetes. It was interesting the article started out by stating that diabetes isn’t an epidemic that only affects the United States, it’s an epidemic affecting the whole world, especially more technologically developed nations. I was also surprised to learn that November 14^th is World Diabetes Day. But the most important point the article discussed was the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is influenced by genetics and lifestyle. And while genetics can’t be altered, people can actively affect the development of type 2 diabetes by changing their lifestyle. This article brought up four studies that investigated the effect a lifestyle change had on the risk of developing diabetes. All four studies showed by eating healthier and increasing their physical activity participants were able to greatly reduce their risk of diabetes. These studies showed that when there’s a balance between daily life, diet, and exercise a person can lower their risk of developing a disease which connects perfectly to the class’s central topic, Ayurveda.
            The second assignment we had for class was reading a study on the economics of diabetes. The results of the study estimated an increase of 25% in cost associated with diabetes between 2012 and 2017 and that most of the increase is due to an increase in healthcare costs. And this reminded me of a conversation I had in another class I’m taking this semester, biomedical ethics. The other day we were talking about biomedical issues that we decided to write about for an assignment, and one of the subjects that came up was the insulin and how there are only a few companies that make insulin. And since there are only a few suppliers they can hike up the prices to the point that some people can’t afford to buy the life-saving medications they need. I think pharmaceutics is unbalanced; the open market favors pharmaceutical companies more than the patients that need the medicine. This may be weird since we have only applied Ayurveda to humans, but this got me thinking that the concept of Ayurveda could be used to fix other problem, like our insurance and medical companies. To work properly any system, living or non-living, needs balance.
            As part of this course, we are supposed to write a group proposal on anything that connects to the class and Ayurveda. My group chose to write about addiction. Addition is a broad topic, so we narrowed our idea a bit, and are focusing on drug addiction, food addiction, and social-media/internet addiction. I’m specifically researching drug addiction. I wanted to do look at drug addiction because of the opioid problem we have here in Utah. I didn’t really know anyone that has or had a drug addiction until this year. Which is kind of interesting because according to one statistic Utah has the seventh highest drug overdose rate in the U.S. And I believe there are several reasons why the opioid addiction in Utah isn’t as visible. One reason is that most of the people addicted to opioids, at least in Utah, aren’t using heroin rather they are using prescription drugs. This is the scariest part of the epidemic. Prescription drugs are and legal, to get a hold of. So often opioid addicts start out with a simple prescription for an injury or pain and they become physically dependent which often leads to addiction without them realizing it. Another reason the opioid epidemic isn’t as visible in Utah is because of the of the prominent culture in Utah, where is it seems like talking about drugs and drug addicts is taboo.
            As I was doing my research and came upon an article that suggested that viewing addition through the brain disease model is flawed and that additions should be viewed through the lens of development. I found this concept to be interesting because not too long-ago society thought of addiction as a choice. We blamed addicts for their addictions and basically told them they just needed to quit. But know we understand that addiction isn’t more complicated than that and that an addict’s brain is different. So now addiction is accepted as a brain disease. Which explains why it’s so hard to for people to abstain from their addiction. And since addiction is thought of as a brain disorder there are more treatments options available. And in Utah lawmakers and doctors are making a big effort in trying to manage the opioid addiction in Utah and trying to give people the best possible treatment.
            During my research on drug addiction, I became curious to see if there were any articles on an Ayurvedic approach to addiction rehabilitation, and I was surprised to find a that were in fact articles on this. In Ayurveda, humans are composed of both mind and body, and ideal health is attended when there is a balance between mind, body, and soul. So, the mental attitude of a person plays an important role in treating physical problems and mental disorders. It’s believed that addiction is a symptom of another underlying problem. Addict use drugs and other substances to fill something that is missing in their lives. So, a common approach to treating addiction is using replacement. Just quitting isn’t going to be enough for someone to recover from addiction so it’s important that a healthy replacement to replace the habit of addiction. It’s interesting that there are many views on addiction and I think that each view of addiction provides important insight into how we can address treating addiction. It’s also important to address that people become addicted for different reasons so I believe that treatment should be individualized.

Rylan Curated Paper 1

Rylan Anderson

BIOL 4500

Dr. Karpel

9/23/18

Curated Paper 1: Diabetes and Ayurvida

            According to the Ayurvida Theory, the science or knowledge of life can be connected through the body, mind and spirit.  In the past few weeks, we have learned about this theory as well as the effect that diabetes has metabolically and financially.  For this curated paper, I hope to expound on the effects that diabetes has by categorizing them using the Ayurvida Theory.  With very little knowledge of diabetes, a person should know that the body is affected but in what ways?  What we may not recognize or just overlook is how the mind and spirit can be affected due to diabetes.

            The body is probably the main category that diabetes is associated with.  Diabetes is an illness that affects the metabolic pathways due to inability to properly make or bind to insulin.  When looking at the mechanism of diabetes, we must look at the two main types; type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  Type 1 is more genetic out of the two rather than environmental.  It is caused by the immune system attacking β cells which make insulin and in turn regulates the glucose levels in the blood.  Without proper glucose regulation, the body may undergo many problems.  For example, diabetes heightens risks of eye disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, foot problems, skin problems, teeth and gum problems, and many more. (Department of Health…) To say that diabetes influences the body is an understatement. 

            This section is looking at what happens to the mind with people diagnosed with diabetes.  Although diabetes is not considered a mental illness, nor should it be, it’s impossible to ignore the side effects of diabetes when looking at the mind.  First, we know that obesity and bad diet is linked to type 2 diabetes.  What is often unknown to be linked is exercise and diet on mental illness.  Due to these connections, we can conclude that mental illness is more prevalent in populations with diabetes than those without diabetes.  One of these most common of these mental illnesses is depression.  It has also been proven after many studies that exercise not only prevents depression, but in many circumstances is more effective than medication.  (25 Studies…)  Therefore, we can conclude that if people are struggling with diabetes, specifically type 2 diabetes, their chances of developing and having mental illnesses are increased due to preexisting obesity.

            Finally, we will look at what diabetes has on the spirit.  This may vary a lot from person to person, especially with so many different definitions of what the spirit actually is.  For me, the spirit has a lot to do with how or what you feel.  Some may argue that pieces of this category may fit into the body or mind but for the sake of this paper, I will include them in spirit.  First off, anybody with a chronic illness will be affected spiritually.  In this case, I almost feel that those with type 1 diabetes may be affected more spiritually than those with type 2 diabetes (I make this assumption with having no personal understanding of the illness).  Those with type 1 diabetes are less likely to be obese and it may be assumed, have their life together a little more.  In this case, I would assume that the news of diabetes would be even more heartbreaking because they aren’t necessarily living at a higher risk for diabetes than anybody else.  Either way, the toll would be great. 

            Another angle to look at for diabetes is the financial toll that this has on somebody.  I also put this under the spiritual category because of the burden it has.  They are most likely less personable and less like themselves.  The stress would be overwhelming.  According to the article given us to read by you, the average American diabetic will spend almost $17,000 a year due to diabetes.  (Economic Costs…) 

            When looking at how diabetes impacts the body, mind and spirit, it is easy to see they connection that the Ayurvida Theory states.  Diabetes primarily affects the body; however the mind and spirit will be changed because of the unbalance of the body.  Diabetes shows this and changes live accordingly.    

Citations

“25 Studies Confirm: Exercise Prevents Depression.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 29 Oct. 2013, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201310/25-studies-confirm-exercise-prevents-depression.

Department of Health & Human Services. “Diabetes - Long-Term Effects.” Better Health Channel, Department of Health & Human Services, 31 Jan. 2015, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/diabetes-long-term-effects.

Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017. American Diabetes Association, May 2018, doi.org/10.2337/dci18-0007.