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.