Our metabolic pathway is astoundingly complex, many different pathways working together to have our metabolism working systematically. When working in proper order it provides our organism the energy needed. When laid out on a screen it seems easy for something to go wrong. When something changes in the environment often the metabolism will also change. Some instances this is positive, on other occasions it is the opposite and sometimes deadly. Organisms faced with predators often enter into a spontaneous fight or flight response. Oxygen consumption skyrockets and with it the metabolic rate increases. When the presence of the predator is constant the opposite reaction takes place, metabolic rates decrease [2]. Both responses of the prey could mean the difference between life and death.
In humans having properly functioning metabolic pathways are equally important. Many people are faced with a metabolic disorder, diabetes. Diabetes doesn’t just affect the insulin level of a person it leads to other unwanted issues. One in particular being peripheral artery disease, PAD [3]. PAD is the beginning step to many more issues, some can be poor blood circulation to the lower extremities. If untreated it may lead to visible conditions of disease ravaging the body. Known as critical limb ischemia, CLI, usually affects the lower extremities of the body and in many cases amputation is needed. Again, improper insulin levels are not limited to CLI, it can also cause increased heart problems, nerve damage and many a list that can extend a mile long, if formatted correctly. Those who live with diabetes but lack treatment would surely have a decreased life span.
Almost everyone in a first world country knows someone who has diabetes. This is due to many factors, including poor diets, more sedentary lifestyles and late intervention, in most cases the islet cell mass is only 25 percent of the original cell mass. If culture itself makes us “prime breeding grounds” for diabetes what is the solution?
Discussions between myself and a group of peers lead to the future possibility of growing a new pancreas which would be the ideal cure for diabetes. While that is not yet an option for all who deal with diabetes. Current treatments of insulin pumps and when needed special clothing for those who had PAD will have to suffice. But this disease can no longer be only viewed as the individual's problem when it has effects on the whole human race. Consistently diabetes and inactivity are the top killers of people in the United States. However, because the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, obesity tends to run in families. Not genetically but because the habits of the parents pass onto their children. By following Ayurveda this may be possible. Ayurveda includes the healthcare practice of treating the whole body instead of only the symptomatic regions. Completed in a 4 part process of cleansing, reducing the intensity of the disease, rejuvenation, and mental nurturing and spiritual healing [1].
Cleansing may consist of higher health standards among the many organizations that give quick access to food. Reduction would consist of teaching and encouraging a healthier lifestyle, which could be combined with rejuvenation. A shift in our culture in promoting healthy bodies, not the current trend that “all bodies are beautiful.” Then mental nurturing and healing of mental disorders would help people be able to function and become healthier. Through the combination of modern medicine advancement and Ayurveda we can overcome our metabolic disease.
Citations:
Jayasundar, R. (2010). Ayurveda: a distinctive approach to health and disease. Current Science, 908-914.
Steiner UK, Van Buskirk J (2009) Predator-Induced Changes in Metabolism Cannot Explain the Growth/Predation Risk Tradeoff. PLoS ONE 4(7): e6160. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0006160
Thiruvoipati T, Kielhorn CE, Armstrong EJ. Peripheral artery disease in patients with diabetes: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and outcomes. World J Diabetes. 2015 Jul 10;6(7):961-9. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v6.i7.961. PMID: 26185603; PMCID: PMC4499529
Tyler, I really enjoyed your extra example of metabolism and how it is affected. I also really enjoyed how you covered the social factors that are heavily effecting the US. I was surprised in my research to see how obesity and diabetes are rapidly increasing all around the US. I agree that we should promote healthier living and have a shift in our culture regarding health.
ReplyDeleteHey Tyler, I enjoyed your paper! I really like your metabolism introduction and how it transferred smoothly into the next paragraph on diabetes and how it impacts the risk of other diseases. One thing I noticed is that Ayurveda had a brief description. This might leave the reader with some questions about what exactly is Ayurveda and how it relates to diabetes. Overall, I think you did a good job at explaining the disease and how we can change our western medical perspective into a more Ayurvedic perspective.
ReplyDeleteAwesome paper man! I liked how you brought in other side effects and diseases that stem from diabetes. I also liked all of the outside research you brought into it. One thing I would recommend would be to go into a little more depth about Ayurveda and some background about it. Maybe relate its approach and ideas to how we could better treat diabetes. But overall awesome job man.
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