I first delved into what the definition of Ayurveda was. The word's derivation is interesting, ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge), basically meaning the science of life. It has historical roots in India from more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda is based on the idea that disease or sickness is because of an imbalance in consciousness and promotes regaining a personal balance within the body through special diets, herbal remedies, massages or other therapy, and meditation.
I think it is interesting that Ayurveda healthcare providers can’t be licensed in the United States, with no certification or training with National standards. Many articles I found cautioned exclusive use because there isn't licensing, it could negatively interact with western medicine's effects, and the FDA doesn't regulate Ayurvedic products because they are considered dietary supplements thus not needing the rigorous screenings that traditional drugs go through for approval. An article from John Hopkins University said that “While Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care, it should not replace standard, conventional medical care, especially when treating serious conditions” (2019).
It is important to think about how some aspects of Ayurveda are expressed in western culture. One of its main core principles is the necessity of balance, and we are taught the importance of a healthy and balanced diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep to maintain our body’s health. This will strengthen our immune system and prevent health problems from what imbalances can do to us. Imbalance is found everywhere; sedentary lifestyles and bad food choices are a couple of examples. Ayurveda emphasizes the prevention of disease and health promotion, so parts of it just go by another name.
Considering if type 1 diabetes can be safely managed with only aspects and treatments from Ayurveda, my initial thought is no, because of the need to accurately measure blood glucose levels. I cannot think of a way to do that by natural means. The secretions of the pancreas (or lack thereof) need to be very precise in order to keep levels in homeostatic equilibrium. Ayurvedic treatments are not sufficient or at least to the level that western medicine can provide for the treatment of diabetes. Improper maintenance can lead to hyperglycemia, and so many adverse effects can result from that. I don't think it would be worth it to consider ayurvedic treatments based on the science and treatments available to us.
As the quote above from John Hopkins University states, using Ayurveda as a complementary therapy could be useful to someone battling type 2 Diabetes. A study conducted by the University of Nottingham found that some Ayurvedic treatments are effective in maintaining blood sugar levels. The systematic review included 219 articles with 199 randomized control trials. The researchers have developed a clinical guideline for managing type 2 diabetes by Ayurvedic Practitioners and recommend that high-quality randomized control should be done to further test the applications (Henderson, 2022).
A monumental issue right now is the rising costs of treatments and hospitalizations for people with diabetes. The average hospital stay for a patient with diabetes is a full day longer than other patients. The American Diabetes Association also detailed this startling statistic:
Findings on hospital populations convey not only an issue around the high costs of diabetes management but also glaring examples of health inequity. For example, while most amputations—which are most frequently associated with the diabetes population and result in extreme direct and indirect costs to patients—are preventable with specialized care, they occur 10 times more often in lower-income populations, where specialists may be less available or hospital staff less well trained to refer these individuals to needed preventive care.
Ayurveda should be explored as an approach to assist in preventative care treatments for those with type 2 diabetes. From what I have read it would be useful to some in treating this very serious health problem and could also help in maintaining their body and extending longevity, as well as helping some overcome the disease. This will ultimately lower the costs associated with diabetes since these amputations will become less frequent and education of proper health practices can reduce the strain of health care providers in these areas of lower income.
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). The costs of hospitalization for people with diabetes. The Costs of Hospitalization for People with Diabetes | ADA. from https://diabetes.org/advocacy/costs-hospitalization-people-diabetes?utm_source=diabetes-care-cost&utm_medium=website&utm_content=learn-more-4-btn&utm_campaign=ADV&s_src=online&s_subsrc=costs-hospitalization-people-diabetes
Chattopadhyay, K., Wang, H., Kaur, J., Nalbant, G., Almaqhawi, A., Kundakci, B., Panniyammakal, J., Heinrich, M., Lewis, S. A., Greenfield, S. M., Tandon, N., Biswas, T. K., Kinra, S., & Leonardi-Bee, J. (2022). Effectiveness and safety of ayurvedic medicines in type 2 diabetes mellitus management: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.821810
Henderson, E. (2022, June 8). Ayurvedic medicine is effective in blood sugar control in patients with type 2 diabetes, study finds. News Medical. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220608/Ayurvedic-medicine-is-effective-in-blood-sugar-control-in-patients-with-type-2-diabetes-study-finds.aspx#:~:text=by%203%20people-,Ayurvedic%20medicine%20is%20effective%20in%20blood%20sugar%20control%20in,type%202%20diabetes%2C%20study%20finds&text=A%20new%20study%2C%20led%20by,patients%20with%20type%202%20diabetes.
John Hopkins University. (2019, December 2). Ayurveda. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ayurveda#:~:text=Ayurveda%2C%20a%20natural%20system%20of,translates%20to%20knowledge%20of%20life.
Loved how you started off by defining Ayurveda and addressing the lack of this type of treatment in America. I found it interesting how you pointed out that there isn't a license for this type of thing. The closest thing I think we have is a DO of medicine degree, but that is still far from the Ayurveda technique that I have noticed. I however disagree with you that although Ayurveda techniques cannot directly combat a disease they aid more in preventing disease from occurring, which is also something that western medicine should strive for. As a lack of disease individuals will aid in not overloading the hospitals and pharmacies, because these individuals will be healthy and not need treatment. While scientific advancements are amazing, I think a more logical approach would be look to the natural world and seek the preventative treatment that diet and exercise gives in the Ayurveda techniques.
ReplyDeleteI thought the part you included about ayurvedic practitioners being able to practice in the United States was interesting, especially because it made me wonder whether the reverse is true, how hard would it be for doctors of western medicine to go to other countries and perform modern health practices. I also have to say that I feel like you may not give ayurveda all of the credit that it is due. Of course there are more effective forms of treatment, but that is not to say that ayurveda cannot help, especially in the realm of preventative medicine. If we want to be healthy, we should not just eat healthily but purse all possible healthy habits.
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