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.