Before starting this entry, I had never heard of Ayurveda. After looking it up, I learned that Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that focuses on the balance between a person and their environment, as well as their physical, mental, and spiritual health. The term "Ayurveda" comes from the Sanskrit words "ayur" (life) and "veda" (knowledge), translating to "knowledge of life." Ayurveda promotes the idea that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between mind, body, and spirit. Its primary goal is to promote good health, not fight disease. Treatments in Ayurveda are personalized, often involving diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, and physical therapy. Research into Ayurveda has shown promising results in various areas. For example, studies have indicated that Ayurvedic practices can help manage chronic diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. The use of Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Turmeric, and Triphala has been supported by modern research for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and apoptogenic properties. Yoga and meditation, integral components of Ayurveda, have been widely recognized for their benefits in reducing stress and improving mental health. Ayurveda also emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet tailored to an individual's constitution or "dosha" (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha). Research has shown that personalized dietary recommendations can help manage weight, improve digestion, and boost overall health. Ayurveda hypothesizes that an imbalance in the body, stress, or exposure to negative surroundings can physically affect a person's health. For instance, stress is considered a significant factor in various diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. Ayurvedic practices aim to restore balance and harmony within the body, which, in turn, supports the body's natural healing processes. I can personally see myself agreeing with and following these ideals with further research and knowledge. Even without delving deeply into Ayurveda, I have always believed that an individual's environment can significantly impact their medical, mental, and emotional well-being. Many illnesses, including chronic ones, can be worsened or triggered by stress. Medical issues can also arise when a person is not balanced in terms of nutrition or hormone levels. For instance, when I was diagnosed with costochondritis, my doctor mentioned that while there is no exact cause, stress can significantly contribute to inflammation in the body. I am interested in learning more about Ayurveda and have set goals to achieve better balance in my physical and mental life. I believe that some Ayurvedic practices could help me. This also leads into the next topic of our journaling which included Diabetic topics and what this entails. Most people are familiar with diabetes, especially Types 1 and 2. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, leading to a lack of insulin. This type often develops in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin. It is more common in adults but is increasingly seen in children due to rising obesity rates. Type 1 is quite common in my family, so I was particularly interested in the overview of diabetes in our modules. I found it intriguing that concordance in twins is more common with Type 2 than Type 1, suggesting a stronger genetic component in Type 2. Despite its prevalence in my family, I realized I knew little about the condition. I was surprised to learn that Type 2 diabetes is more common in non-Caucasian populations and wanted to understand why. My research revealed that this disparity is due to a combination of biological, social, environmental, and genetic factors, as well as differences in access to healthcare. For instance, higher rates of Type 2 diabetes are observed in African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American populations. These groups often have genetic predispositions that increase their risk. Additionally, social determinants such as lower socioeconomic status, limited access to nutritious food, and reduced opportunities for physical activity contribute to higher incidence rates. Many cases of Type 2 diabetes go undetected and unnoticed, particularly in regions with limited healthcare access. This ties back to the overarching principles of Ayurveda, which emphasize the balance of oneself and their body. The factors contributing to the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes highlight how imbalances in access to healthcare and resources can impact health. Addressing these disparities requires a multifaceted approach, including public health interventions, education, and policy changes to improve access to care and promote healthier lifestyles. A common factor associated with Type 2 diabetes is physical inactivity. According to the American Diabetes Association, physical inactivity and obesity are significant risk factors for the development of Type 2 diabetes. Regular physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight, improve insulin sensitivity, and lower blood sugar levels. I found the diagrams provided in our modules interesting as they included a behavioral perspective on diabetes. While I am not an expert on diabetes, I am a Registered Behavior Technician and am pursuing a master's degree in Behavioral Analysis. I regularly analyze people's daily lifestyles to find ways to prevent certain behaviors but had not considered applying this approach to diabetes or other medical issues. It is evident that many medical conditions can be influenced by a person's choices. For example, choosing a sedentary lifestyle can lead to weight gain and decreased insulin sensitivity, which are major contributors to Type 2 diabetes. Conversely, engaging in regular physical activity and making healthier dietary choices can significantly reduce the risk. I value physical activity and recognize its importance. Through our Ayurveda research, I have noticed that when I do not eat healthily or engage in physical activity, my physical, mental, and emotional health suffers. I also have a hip injury that benefits from activity and stretching. It is on days when I am inactive that my hip hurts the most. Generally, a lack of movement is unhealthy, even without an injury. Understanding the behavioral aspects of diabetes management can help in designing effective interventions that encourage healthier lifestyles. In our first module, we discussed the microbiome. This is a crucial aspect of health and biology that most people in these fields are familiar with. The human microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria and other microbes, that live in and on our bodies. These microorganisms are most densely populated in the gut, where they play a vital role in digestion, immune function, and overall health. I chose to review the gut biome and how diets affect it because I want to incorporate dietary aspects into my project proposal. The modules revealed that people in different parts of the world and cultures, who eat different foods, have more complex microbiomes. For example, Japanese and African children have enzymes that allow them to digest seaweed and fiber, respectively.

The gut microbiome is essential to both physical and mental health. The gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system between the gut and the brain, influences mood, stress levels, and cognitive functions. Imbalances in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to various health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and even mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Diet plays a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome. Diets rich in fiber, such as those containing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, promote a healthy microbiome by feeding beneficial bacteria. Conversely, diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats can lead to dysbiosis. I have noticed that when my diet is unbalanced, my mental and physical health suffer. Additionally, I learned that the human genome does not encode enzymes for digesting glycans; only bacteria can do this. Glycans are complex carbohydrates that are found in various foods and are important for cellular communication and immune function. The ability to digest glycans is thus entirely dependent on our gut bacteria. Diseases related to the microbiome include diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and stress/anxiety, among others. These topics align with our course's overarching themes. Recent research also suggests that gut bacteria can influence the development of these diseases by affecting metabolic processes, immune responses, and inflammation levels. Furthermore, the modules highlighted fascinating studies showing that certain populations have unique microbiomes adapted to their traditional diets. For instance, the Hadza people of Tanzania, who have a diet rich in wild foods like tubers, berries, and honey, have one of the most diverse gut microbiomes in the world. This diversity is associated with lower incidences of modern chronic diseases. The modules also brought up that Japanese and African children have more complex/different enzymes within their bodies to be able to digest the foods they mostly eat, such as seaweed and fiber. Understanding these variations can help in developing personalized nutrition plans that promote gut health. I am also curious about how antibodies promoting fat gain affect infants' future metabolic processes. This aspect relates to the early establishment of the gut microbiome, which begins at birth and is influenced by factors such as mode of delivery (vaginal birth vs. caesarean section), breastfeeding, and antibiotic exposure. Early life microbiome composition can have long-lasting effects on a child's health, influencing their susceptibility to obesity, allergies, and other conditions. What specifically influences these processes? This area of research is rapidly evolving, and I am eager to learn more about how we can harness knowledge of the microbiome to improve health outcomes.

Curated Journaling 1

 Ayurveda is the concept of a beautiful, yet rather delicate, balance and integration that exists between the mind, body, spirit, and environment. It “entails a scientific tradition of harmonious living” (Mukherjee et al, 2016). In correspondence with the theme of this course, we will be primarily investigating the balance between body systems, between the body and mind, and the balance between the body and its external environment. When these balances are supported, the result is a functional being with the ability to thrive. However, if these balances are disturbed, the consequences can be detrimental. Although, it is important to note that not every imbalance will have critical implications. The body is resilient, and it is designed to respond and adapt. It is important to be able to differentiate between prolonged, major imbalances, and small deviations that the body can accommodate for and/or fix. A question that has frequently crossed my mind throughout the duration of my studies thus far is where is the line drawn between these two different occurrences? This will be discussed in the following paragraph. 

As previously mentioned, for me, there is a small gray area that exists between insignificant deviations and critical imbalances. At what point should one become concerned about an abnormality? When does a fluctuation or imbalance result in pathology? These are reasonable questions. In fact, these are questions that healthcare professionals must ask themselves almost every day. I was inspired to use previous course materials in order to help differentiate between the two concepts. I was recently enrolled in a physiology course; physiology is the broad study of the functions and mechanisms in living organisms. A word that one will hear quite often in any physiology course is homeostasis. Homeostasis is a term that might be likened to ayurveda, they are related concepts. However, the two terms differ slightly in their exact interpretations. Homeostasis is much like a balance – it is the state of steady internal chemical and physical conditions that living systems maintain. When homeostatic imbalances occur, there are positive and negative feedback mechanisms unconsciously employed to return the living system back to its proper state. Nevertheless, if the deviation is critical enough or the feedback loop fails, a more significant imbalance can occur. Ultimately, this can potentially result in a serious pathology. Conversely, Ayurveda is a more general idea that refers to the stable balance that exists between the mind, body, spirit, and environment of living systems. In conclusion, I believe that homeostatic imbalance is slightly different from ayurvedic imbalance, but it can also promote ayurvedic imbalance. It can be hypothesized that prolonged and/or severe homeostatic imbalances within an organism or its environment lead to ayurvedic imbalance and disease causation.

In order to better understand how imbalances occur, where they occur, and the cascading effects of particular imbalances, one must first be familiar with metabolic pathways. Metabolism is another general term quite frequently used in biological courses such as physiology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, and biochemistry. Metabolism is defined as “the chemical changes that take place in a cell or organism” (NCI, 2024). These chemical changes are responsible for producing the energy and materials required by cells and organisms to grow, differentiate, replicate, and function properly. Functioning metabolic pathways promote ayurvedic balance in the body. The large majority, if not all of, metabolic pathways must be heavily regulated in order to maintain homeostatic balance within the body. This regulation is vital in ensuring the proper outcomes of pathways. In spite of that, if the concentration, temporal and/or spatial order, or charges of metabolites within the pathways are disrupted, then the results could be disastrous. Dysfunctional or imbalanced metabolic pathways are oftentimes causative of severe pathologies. To emphasize the sheer exactness observed within metabolic pathways, I would like to draw on a topic from previous coursework discussed in cell and molecular biology. Metabolic pathways are regulated by numerous mechanisms, one of which are receptor mediated pathways. These pathways rely on specific metabolite-receptor interactions as a means of triggering recognition and response mechanisms. Considering the multitude of pathways involved in human physiology, one might imagine that there is an equally large number of receptors, and this is true! Consequently, receptors are highly diverse and specialized to bind incredibly specific targets, or what can be referred to as ligands. An example of a familiar receptor mediated metabolic pathway is the insulin mediated GLUT4 pathway. This pathway is responsible for regulation of blood glucose, it maintains proper balance of glucose between cells and the blood. When this pathway experiences imbalance, it is very common to observe pathology. Diabetes is the most commonly observed disease that results from dysregulation of the insulin-GLUT4 pathway.

According to the CDC, diabetes is amongst the top ten most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States (2024). There are two types of diabetes, each with different underlying causes. Type I DM is an autoimmune dysfunction, and it occurs in those who have a genetic predisposition. Cells of the body’s immune system begin to recognize insulin producing cells as foreign or threatening and they attack these cells. As a result, individuals with T1DM suffer from insufficient insulin production. Conversely, Type 2 DM generally occurs due to adjustable lifestyle factors, and it results in desensitized insulin receptors. While these diseases occur due to different dysfunctions, they both result in hyperglycemia and a decreased ability to regulate blood glucose. It is important to note that approximately 90%-95% of individuals with diagnosed diabetes suffer from T2DM (U.S. House of Representatives, Diabetes Caucus, 2024). In correspondence with the overarching theme of this course, diabetes, and specifically T2DM, is a great example of a pathology caused by an ayurvedic imbalance. Further investigation has led to the conclusion that the most pertinent ayurvedic imbalances correlated with diabetes include, but are not limited to, poor diet, physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, and high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation (NIDDK, 2024). Furthermore, the direct physiological imbalances caused by diabetes oftentimes result in further imbalances of implicated body systems, particularly cardiovascular and renal complications (Matheus et al, 2013) and (Kumar et al, 2023).

Unfortunately, just as the diagnosed individual will experience suffering associated with their diabetes diagnosis, society as a whole is also adversely affected. In conjunction with the substantial number of people living with diagnosed diabetes, the costs related to the disease are rather large as well. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimated that there was $245 billion in costs in 2012 related to individuals with diagnosed diabetes. In 2022, this amount was nearly doubled with costs summing to a whopping $413 billion (ADA, 2023). While these numbers are significant, they are not surprising. In my own time spent working as a patient care technician on the medical/surgical floor of a rural hospital. I would estimate that approximately 25% of patients that spent time in the unit had diagnosed T2DM. This personal observation aligns with the statistic that one in every five healthcare dollars is spent on care for individuals with diagnosed diabetes (ADA, 2012). One might ask the question: how are these costs accrued? There are obvious costs associated with managing the disease – insulin, diagnostic tools, and direct care related to treating the disease. Moreover, a majority of the financial burden can be attributed to providing care for the negative implications of the disease on other body systems. In true ayurvedic nature, the body systems are all intricately designed to overlap and work together. When imbalance occurs in one physiological system, others are affected. As previously noted, an individual living with diagnosed diabetes is at a particularly high risk for severe cardiovascular, neural, and renal dysfunction as well. These complications are rather major and costly. Nevertheless, it must be noted that these complications can potentially be mitigated if one is diligent in controlling their diabetes.

As noted in the previous paragraph, the increase in the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes is nothing short of alarming. What can be done to alleviate the suffering of those living with diagnosed diabetes? What can be done to decrease the financial burden that society faces regarding the disease? These are questions that riddle healthcare workers, policy makers, and businesses alike. Stemming from the ancient ideas of ayurveda is traditional ayurvedic medicine. Ayurvedic medicine aims to treat the whole patient, and not just the disease. An ayurvedic treatment approach emphasizes the uniqueness of each individual observed – bio-identity, SES, biochemical and physiological conditions (Mukarjee et al, 2016). When creating an ayurvedic treatment plan, there are three objectives: 1) the treatment should target the underlying cause of the disease, not just the symptoms, 2) the treatment should educate and inform the patient of the underlying cause of the disease, and 3) the treatment should aim to balance the physical, mental, and spiritual functions of the patient. Traditional allopathic medicine has revolutionized the way our society treats illnesses. However, utilizing a treatment approach that combines the cutting edge technology and pharmaceuticals offered through allopathic medicine with the traditional, holistic approach ayurvedic medicine emphasizes, could offer great value to individuals and society. 

curated paper 1.

 The Role the Gut Microbiome Plays in Metabolic Disorders like Diabetes and its Relationship to Ayurveda Medicine Treatment

Ayurveda is an ancient medical approach originating from India and is sometimes referred to as the “science of life”.  The idea behind this approach is that there are connections between the mind, body, and soul, referred to as doshas, that must be balanced to maintain good health and prevent disease.  Practicers of Ayurveda claim that the imbalance between these components is what causes diseases. In conjunction, it is widely accepted in modern medicine that diseases occur when there is an imbalance or disorder of a particular bodily process.  These processes can be disturbed by both internal and external factors, including diet, emotions, and environment.  Because bodily processes are interconnected, a disturbance in one area of the body could easily affect another area. 

For adequate physiological regulation, the doshas must be balanced.  Lack of balance between the doshas results in disease and worsens with unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as exposure to physical and chemical agents, unhealthy diets, and mental and physical overexertion.  Treatment with Ayurveda not only addresses the disease but also the lifestyle and environmental factors that may be causing imbalance in an individual’s doshas.  Physical exercise, yoga, and massage are integrated with spiritual nurturing, breathing exercises, and the removal of excessive worry in an attempt to balance doshas.  The use of spices and herbs, as well as an improved diet, are used to treat chronic disorders, remove toxins, and cleanse the body of waste products to prevent reoccurrence.  

Ayurveda has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of diseases such as anxiety, arthritis, asthma, digestive issues, hypertension, eczema, high cholesterol, and problems associated with stress.  It has been proven that by participating in routine daily activities, eating a healthy diet, and leading a healthy lifestyle, diseases can be eliminated and prevented.  A major component of the body that is influenced by diet and lifestyle practices is the gut microbiome.  When this microbiome is disturbed, it can cause issues and diseases in other areas of the body. 

The microbiome consists of the overall community of bacteria that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract and varies between individuals.  The composition of bacteria types inhabiting the GI tract is influenced by several factors including diet, antibiotic use, and environmental exposure.  The microbiome is associated with numerous other processes in the body such as sleeping patterns, neurological development, and immunity.  Lacking a unique microbiome in childhood can negatively affect brain development, and disruption of the microbiome can alter responses from the immune system.  Additionally, an inadequate microbiome can contribute to obesity, affecting weight gain, weight loss, and metabolism.  The cardiovascular system can be affected by the metabolites produced by gut bacteria and bowel disorders like IBS and IBD are associated with certain microbiome bacteria.  Balance of gut bacteria is affected by genetics, diet, and environment, and is crucial to maintaining overall health.  

The gut microbiome is responsible for harvesting energy from food and creating neurotransmitters, enzymes, and vitamins which are all involved in immune and metabolic functions.  The proper functioning of the GI tract is crucial to maintaining health and productivity in other areas of the body.  Antibiotic use in early life alters the microbiota found in the GI tract and can shift the profile to one that promotes obesity, metabolic abnormalities, and autoimmune diseases. 

Research shows that a wide diversity of the gut microbiome leads to a healthier composition of bacteria and is mainly achieved through diet.  A diet that is varied with fruits and vegetables will have more diversity than a protein-based diet.  The enterotype, the classification of an organism based on the bacteriological composition of its gut microbiota, is developed as a result of long-term diet types and can change with shifts in diet.  The makeup of the gut microbiome can be altered solely through diet and could potentially help treat or resolve GI tract-related diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and IBD. 

Since the gut microbiota is responsible for maintaining balance in the body in several ways such as hormone regulation, immune dysregulation, and digestion, a disruption or lack of diversity in the microbiota can lead to serious complications and diseases.  Most notably, issues with the GI tract can have a profound effect on metabolism and lead to metabolic disorders such as diabetes.  These issues can also affect feelings of satiety, leading to an increase in appetite and contributing to obesity, another driving factor of diabetes.  

Metabolism describes all the chemical reactions that occur within a cell, and these reactions are often linked together in chains or pathways.  The pathways are firmly regulated to ensure a balance is maintained and that the flow of metabolites passes through them correctly.  Metabolic regulation is extremely important since the pathways’ activity changes under different conditions.  When metabolic regulation is no longer achievable, usually due to a metabolic disease like diabetes, our health is impacted in a major way.  

Diabetes, one of the most prevalent and chronic metabolic disorders in the world that affects nearly 422 million people, is considered a pandemic in the United States.  It is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood which can lead to major damage in various other areas of the body.  Type 2 diabetes, the most common type and mostly occurring in adults, makes the body underproduce or become resistant to insulin.  Type 1 diabetes, usually found in children but able to affect those of any age, occurs when the pancreas makes little to no insulin on its own.  Since insulin metabolizes blood glucose, maintaining proper insulin levels is crucial to managing this disease.  

Diabetes is a classic example of imbalance or disruption of ayurveda in the body, showcasing how this imbalance can affect other pathways and organs whose proper function is required for optimal health.  Some pathways and organs that are affected by diabetes include the pancreatic beta-cells, defects in alpha-cells, immune dysregulation, and the kidneys, liver, stomach, colon, and brain.  Additionally, many organs and hormones are involved in the regulation of proper glucose levels in the body, so the effect diabetes has on their efficiency only compounds the disease.  

Diabetes can lead to eye problems such as retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and a kidney condition called nephropathy.  It can cause neuropathy and bad circulation in the extremities which can result in amputation and puts individuals at risk of hyperglycemic events.  There is an increased risk of stroke, coronary disease, hypertension, and cognitive impairment.  It can also lead to behavioral problems, such as anxiety and depression.  The comorbidities associated with diabetes highlight how the disruption of one aspect of the body can harm and cause disease in other areas.  The body has several working parts that are intertwined and rely on one another to promote optimal functioning and health of an individual, so maintaining a proper balance of the separate parts, or doshas, is crucial.  

Type 1 diabetes has several causes that are uncontrollable, such as endocrine and autoimmune diseases, damage or removal of the pancreas, and hereditary predisposition.  However, type 2 diabetes is a gradual process that can be avoided by eliminating risk factors that lead to the disease.  Some modifiable risk factors include physical inactivity, high percentage of body fat or high weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.  Considering obesity is one of the biggest drivers of type 2 diabetes progression, increasing physical activity and altering diet are the most crucial steps that can be taken to prevent the disease.  

Other than obesity, physical inactivity can result in different diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, hypertension, mood disorders, osteoporosis, arthritis, and of course, diabetes.  In fact, physical inactivity is the 4th leading risk factor of death.  Physical inactivity can be modified by environmental and behavioral intervention, which can lead to an eventual change in behavior that promotes one to habitually lead a more active and healthy lifestyle.  Utilizing these intervention techniques can prevent a multitude of diseases, including diabetes, and falls in line with Ayurveda treatment for disease.  

Despite the nature of the disease, whether it being physical or mental, Ayurveda medicine is designed to treat them all.  One success story comes from a retired orthapedic surgeon named Lorraine Day who claims to have beat her breast cancer by changing her diet, excercise patterns, the way she deals with stress, and also strengthening her relationship with a Higher Power.  She has been in remission for roughly 2 decades and resolved her disease without the help of traditional cancer treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy.  Her journey to recovery using Ayurveda methods is convincing considering the lack of additional, modern medicine techniques.  

There is also evidence linking gut health to cancer.  When the relationship between the host and the gut microbiota is disturbed, it can affect tumor progression, oncogenesis, and host’s repronse to cancer therapy medications.  Knowing this, it is reasonable to conclude that changing one’s diet could directly influence the progression of cancer in an individual.  In conjunction with the other aspects of Ayurveda treatment, such as lifestyle changes and balancing of the mind, body, and soul, it is possible to treat and cure certain diseases that develop as a result of our current lifestyles.  Dr. Lorraine Day highlights that concept greatly in her books, that disease is caused by a disruption in our bodies that results from the way we treat them and live our lives.  By focusing on taking care of all aspects of our selves, we are able to maintain optimal health and avoid the diseases that come with leading unhealthy lifestyles.  

References

CDC. (2024). National diabetes statistic report. Diabetes. doi: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html#:~:text=Among%20the%20U.S.%20population%20overall,Table%201a%3B%20Table%201b). 

Cryan, J. F., & O’Mahoney, S. M. (2011). The microbiome-gut-brain axis: from bowel to behavior. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 23, 187-192. 

Day, L. (2013). What does it take to get well? Rockford Press. 

Ferranti, E., Dunbar, S. B., Dunlop, A. L., & Corwin, E. J. (2014). 20 things you didn’t know about the human gut microbiome. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 29(6), 479-481.

FRAC. (2018). Obesity in the U.S. Food Research and Action Center. doi: https://frac.org/obesity-health/obesity-u-s-2#:~:text=The%20latest%20data%20indicate%20that.7.7%20percent%20are%severely%20obese.) 

Hankey. A. (2005). The scientific value of ayurveda. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 11(2), 221-225. 

Mishra, L. C., Singh, B. B., & Dagenais, S. (2001). Healthcare and disease management in ayurveda. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(2), 44-50. 

World Health Organization. (2024). Diabetes. Health Topics. doi: https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1 

Zitvogel, L., Galluzzi, L., Viaud, S., Vetizou, M., Daillere, R., Merad, M., & Kroemer, G. (2015). Cancer and the gut microbiota: an unexpected link. Science Translational Medicine, 21(7), 271. 

Curated Paper 1

 I agree with this idea of Ayurveda. I believe that if there is no harmony or peace  in your life, if you are constantly worrying, or if you are eating an imbalanced diet, it can absolutely lead to illness and disease. Personally, I know when my mental health is struggling I tend to get stomach aches and an overall feeling of unwellness. I blame it on the things I eat or maybe it “just happened, sometimes you get stomach aches for no reason.” But what I really believe is that it comes from anxiety, disharmony in my life, AND not eating a healthy diet. This past summer I was eating really good foods, exercising, and telling myself positive affirmations, and overall my health was really good. I think that because there was more harmony in my life it led to an overall better wellbeing.

Billie Eilish has a song and here is one of the lyrics that reminds me of this idea of ayurveda, 

“Thought I was depressed or losing my mind

My stomach upset almost all of the time

But after I left, it was obvious why 

Because for you,

I was the love of your life, 

But you were not mine”

It reminds me of ayurveda because she is talking about how she felt physically ill, and she thought that maybe she just had depression and anxiety. But then she realized she was with the wrong person and was not happy in the relationship, and once she got out, she felt physically better. I think this goes to show how in sync our minds, souls, and body are in touch. I think that listening to our gut is a real thing. 

I took a look at the link that was put on the slides about chronic illness and its links to mental health challenges. There was a section labeled “can depression lead to chronic disease?” I thought that was enticing because I am a person who struggles pretty severely with depression, and it would be interesting to know if this mental illness could lead to another chronic illness. 

I read a paper (Wicke et al.) that suggests that the association between having depression and having type 2 diabetes is bidirectional. It says that since patients with depression tend to lack in physical activity which can lead to obesity, they are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regardless of weight, physical activity helps to reduce the symptoms of diabetes by changing the muscle metabolism of glucose. The article also suggests that some antidepressants can lead to weight gain which can be linked to type 2 diabetes. 

This makes me wonder exactly how much weight gain is significant enough for it to lead to diabetes? This also makes me wonder about “skinny fat” people. People who appear physically slim, but have a high body fat percentage and very little muscle tone. I wonder how many people with type 2 diabetes appear to “look skinny” but actually suffer from this disease due to a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet. 

I’m really intrigued by the idea of intermittent fasting and time restricted eating and how it can increase your ayurveda. I’m not very good at chemistry, but from my understanding, when we eat, our body uses sugars from carbohydrates for energy. But when we fast we are forced to use stored fat as a source of energy and convert those fats into ketones. This can help with weight loss. I was curious if this type of diet is sustainable for a diabetic and if it could help clear up some symptoms for them. 

I read an article and it said that type 1 diabetics need to be very careful so that they do not go into diabetic ketoacidosis. However, several studies show that intermittent fasting for type 2 diabetics has led to reduced fasting glucose levels and A1C levels, as well as weight loss and an increase in adiponectin which is a natural hormone shown to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. 

I believe that intermittent fasting is a powerful way to take control over your life for those with diabetes and those without. It ties in with this idea of ayurveda because it focuses on balancing when you eat and how you use your time. If you can feel good physically because of the food you eat, it can help you have a clear mind and gain control and harmony over your life. 

I am really interested in this idea that if you are able to return your gut microbiome to a healthy state, then you are able to make yourself feel better overall and perhaps even alleviate symptoms of chronic illnesses. For the last year I have been very interested in eating more fermented foods to increase the good bacteria in my gut. I was having constipation issues, so I decided to start really diving deep into changing my diet and eating for a healthy gut. 

I started to include foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, probiotic drinks, yogurt, sourdough bread and tempeh. I also knew that I needed to give the “good bacteria” something to eat, so I included lots of prebiotics as well, such as greens, garlic, berries, steel cut oats, flax seeds, and red onion. While I was following this diet I made sure to also limit my consumption of added sugars. Sugars can feed the bad bacteria and thus throw off your microbiome. And it worked! My bowel movements became very regular and the stool consistency was in line with type 4 from the Bristol Stool Chart- which type 4 is a good place to be. It indicates good gut health. 

However, I was recently listening to a podcast called, “The Doctors Farmacy” (yes, that is really how they spell pharmacy.) They mentioned that it is hard to know exactly which bacteria in your gut is imbalanced so it is hard to know which probiotics you need to take, if you are taking a supplement. It might take some trial and error. And if you introduce a “good” bacteria that you are sensitive to, it might make you sick. This really deters me from wanting to take a probiotic supplement, because they are expensive and I worry that I am going to get one that is not beneficial to me. So this begs the question, can you balance your microbiome by just eating the “right” foods? Or can you never know exactly which bacteria your gut needs. Are supplements necessary? And if they are, what is the best one to take?

I believe that taking control of your life by controlling what you put into your body can greatly increase ayurveda, and increase a healthy gut microbiome. The two go hand in hand. I truly believe that you can not obtain true ayurveda or harmony in your life if you are fighting a (curable) chronic illness. In order to feel better in mind and spirit, you need to feel well physically as well. 

I have experienced this firsthand. I do door to door sales and you can imagine that is a pretty tough job, mentally and physically. In order to stay sharp on the doors I know that I can not just roll out of bed, eat a poptart, and start knocking. I need to have ayurveda in my life. So I do this by having a strict time that I wake up in the morning, workout, eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am sure to challenge my mind in some way by listening to a podcast and or reading a book. I have seen great benefits to this lifestyle and I believe it is because I have increased my ayurveda and am doing my best to have a balanced microbiome. 

Citations

Wicke, F. S., Otten, D., Schulz, A., Wild, P. S., Lackner, K. J., Münzel, T., König, J., Ernst, M., Wiltink, J., Reiner, I., Ghaemi Kerahrodi, J., Pfeiffer, N., & Beutel, M. E. (2024). Current and past depression as risk factors for incident type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes in men and women: evidence from a longitudinal community cohort. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 16(1), 1–10. https://doi-org.proxy.li.suu.edu:2443/10.1186/s13098-024-01273-4

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/chronic-illness-mental-health