How Balanced is "Too Balanced?"

How Balanced is “Too Balanced?”

By: Vanessa Kirkby

Ayurveda is a traditional Hindu form of medicine that uses balance in all forms as its root. When I hear “balance” I imagine a man of the martial arts standing on a narrow beam; one leg in the air, and refusing to give in to gravity, or the wind, or any other outside force. I think of keeping things completely even, and listening to the natural signs of the earth. While all of these things may sound cheesy, this is what I have been conditioned to think of when I think “balance.” On the other hand, when I think of balance in science, I automatically think of homeostasis and equilibrium. As these concepts are applied to my studies of disease and human system processes I begin to connect the mental and emotional world with the physical world of science.

In biochemistry, it is taught that when a body reaches equilibrium life cannot exist. Life is driven by an imbalance, always striving to restore balance to the earth. If all systems were constantly in a state of equilibrium there would be no reason to exchange oxygen, or take in glucose, or create hormones for regulation. In perfect equilibrium, what is there to be regulated? Homeostasis, on the other hand, we are taught is absolutely necessary for life. Once we break outside of homeostasis, we are outside of the conditions required for life. So, what is the difference between equilibrium and homeostasis? How do we find the right amount of balance for optimal life and growth? Studying different diseases of the human body and its diseases can help to show the boundaries set by nature, that must be obeyed.

Diabetes is a disease that affects the human body’s use of glucose. This is the perfect disease to study in terms of balance. As we feed our bodies glucose, insulin is required to let the glucose into the cells to be used for the energy the glucose is intended for. When our cells cannot properly use this glucose, it will begin to build up in the bloodstream. Besides the fact that there is no insulin to provide access into the cell bodies, there is also no feedback to tell our bodies what to do with the glucose, or what hormones are needed to regulate. This imbalance in hormones and glucose causes many problems with those who have the disease. Diabetes presents itself in many forms. The main form of diabetes is “diabetes mellitus,” and it has two types, referred to as Type I and Type II diabetes.

I was very unaware of how prevalent diabetes is in our society until I attended college outside of my home town and met new people, many of which were affected by Type I diabetes. This fascinating illness requires its victims to be very aware of the state of their blood and glucose levels at all hours of the day. Failure to keep up with the status of their blood glucose levels results in things such as passing out, failure of immune system, organs shutting down, and for some, hallucinations and drowsiness. This is crazy! I have never known my blood glucose levels, because my body takes care of that for me. I don’t have to inject anything before I eat, and besides trying not to gain weight, I don’t have to really worry about what/how much I eat in a day. Why do I deserve to be lazy with keeping in touch with my body? As I studied diabetes and pondered these questions, I realized that I do keep in touch with my body. I just don’t have to see the numbers to do that, and many diabetes patients will tell you the same thing. When we make a cognitive effort to listen to the signals our bodies send us, we can know when something is off. This is the first step to finding Ayurveda, or balance in life: Connect the emotional to the physical. Be aware of what your body is telling you.

Diabetes has an especially strong relationship to finding balance when we look at Type II diabetes. Type I is congenital, and cannot be prevented, only treated for a lifetime. Type II, on the other hand, is acquired. Type II diabetes often occurs in people with a sedentary lifestyle or those who are obese. This is a form of diabetes that can be prevented, and can even be reversed. These patients have control! They have a choice. The control lies in lifestyle. Exercise is a mandatory part of caring for our bodies, and will be included in almost any Ayurveda study, or study of a balanced lifestyle. We have all heard it time and time again: we must have a balanced diet, and we must exercise regularly. Believe it or not, these things are all contributing factors to the state of our economy. Billions of dollars a year are contributed towards the healthcare of patients who are unhealthy due to lifestyle. Balance of all things are connected and tightly intertwined.

A balanced diet, a balance in priorities and fitness, a balance in blood sugar. What happens when the driving force for all of these stops? What happens if your form of balance is the same as the man standing on the post, and once you reach your blood glucose/insulin balance you stop eating? Once you reach your balanced diet goals you maintain by never switching it up? Once we feel we are balanced we stop trying? The matter of fact is that we are surrounded by driving forces. Our environment is always changing, and our mental ability speaks to us and reminds us that one time of finding balance is not enough. We must keep trying, continue striving for that equilibrium that is written in our DNA. This is only possible through connecting our minds and our bodies, and finding the balance between controlling our bodies and listening to them. We will continue to research ways to prevent and cure disease, but amongst the research and the studies, we must take time to listen to people. To feel, and think with our human brains, and not our experiments. This is where we will find the perfect amount of balance.