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.