Ayurveda —
Ayurveda, pronounced like ai-yr-vay-duh, is one of the oldest medical systems (EBSCO CAM Review Board, 2022; Jaiswal & Williams, 2016). Ayurvedic medicine originated in India over 3,000 years ago and is considered to be a type of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) (Chopra & Doiphode, 2002). The general belief is that a perfect balance between the human body and nature needs to be maintained to be healthy, and that imbalances cause disease (Jaiswal & Williams, 2016).
Diabetes —
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body can’t control its glucose levels. Too much glucose in your bloodstream can lead to health problems. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). In both of these types we can see examples of imbalance. It is a leading cause of death and causes a large economic burden (Parker et al., 2024; WHO, 2009). In this I am going to discuss how the Traditional Medicine Ayurveda, handles the imbalances that come with diabetes.
What is Ayurveda? — a little history lesson
Ayurveda, from Sanskrit, Ayur or Ayus meaning life and Veda meaning (sacred) knowledge or science (Chopra & Doiphode, 2002). For thousands of years Ayurvedic medicine was solely passed down verbally, and then it was later preserved in Sanskrit. The goal of at least Ancient Ayurveda was to promote health and not to fight disease (Chopra & Doiphode, 2002).
What are the key elements? — Philosophy Basics
Ayurveda is the belief that our universe is linked with all living and nonliving matter, a belief in a “universal interconnectedness”. In Ayurveda it is thought that the universe is made up of 5 elements: water, earth, fire, air, and lastly ether (or space). These 5 elements form 3 main doshas (or humors). These are the Vata dosha, Pitta dosha, and Kapha dosha as a collective called Tridoshas. The 3 doshas are thought to control our basic physiological functions. Pitta controls digestion and metabolism, Kapha forms body structures, and Vata controls movement (Jaiswal & Williams, 2016).
Treatments and therapies? — In Practice
Ayurveda treatment is highly personalized and is tailored directly to the individual. Different methods are incorporated depending on which doshas are out of balance, and whether they are in excess or deficit. In practice these methods are often different diets, with specific foods to strengthen or weaken a specific dosha. The use of herbs is also common. Yoga, meditation and massage are other main practices (EBSCO CAM Review Board, 2022).
Concept of balance? — Mind, Body Spirit
The overall idea is a balance between our environment, mind, body, and spirit. An imbalance in this system is thought to cause illnesses or diseases. For example, excess kapha would be the cause of obesity and diabetes. For a healthy body balance must be maintained. The goal of treatment is to aid and maintain balance and to prevent and cure disease. (Jaiswal & Williams, 2016; Chopra & Doiphode, 2002).
Personal Thoughts, Initial Beliefs — Ayurveda
As a kid from Small Town USA, I was raised with only western medicine and did not know much about traditional medicine. I remember stumbling upon different traditional medicine practices and being surprised, like during the 2016 Michael Phelps cupping scandal or the 2019 Try Guys (former Buzz-feed friends turned YouTubers) acupuncture video. In my experience traditional medicine was almost always only used to generate this sensationalism. Well, it worked, and that sensationalism piqued my curiosity regarding traditional medicine.
I am intrigued by this concept of “universal interconnectedness”. I think that in general a lot of health issues can come from imbalances, and I would have to agree that there is a deep connection between each of our bodies systems and our body with the environment. I think we can all agree a lot of issues come from imbalances and that our body loves to be in balance.
As I continue to learn I continue to realize the importance of balance in our systems. It is amazing how everything works so perfectly together on a large scale, but also on an atomic scale. It really is beautiful.
Most of my academic work has been done researching plants and insects, and when I have looked at how systems work together, I've realized, everything plays a role, everything is interconnected. The mosquitos I hate, are not just pests put here by a higher power for our misery, they are bird food, their larvae, fish food, and the males not only do not bite, but they are massive pollinators.
There is this idea of “everything in moderation” and I feel like that is the same essence as Ayurveda. Sleep but not too much, not too little. Eat, but with a balanced diet. Sugar is not inherently unhealthy, glucose spikes are. Have fun, but don’t have fun 24/7. Work, but do not work your life away. It feels like life is all about this tug and pull, it’s about finding a balance in everything we do.
Diabetes —
Type 1 diabetes is presented suddenly, usually in young kids. They are not usually obese, and it is generally less prevalent. Where type 2 is gradual in its onset, occurs mostly in adults, they are often obese, and it is more prevalent is 90-95% of U.S diabetics having type 2.
The overall process that happens with diabetes goes like this: when we fast, our liver produces glucose from glycogen and it’s then released into our blood, this is prompted by specific hormones. Then when we eat, glucose is released from metabolism and liver production is inhibited. There is a careful balance in pathways to control glucose levels. Hormones play an important role. Insulin and glucagon are major hormone players here. Their levels dictate the action of cells and organs. Insulin signals cells to make glucose transporters that then let the cell take up glucose Insulin and glucagon are antagonists. Imbalance can occur in this system though. When insulin levels are unbalanced, cells can't properly uptake or metabolize glucose, so glucose levels increase in the bloodstream, leading to hyperglycemia. So basically, the cells starve in the middle of sugar hot spots, glucagon then sends even more sugar into the bloodstream.
T1DM and T2DM
T1DM is a slowly progressive T-cell mediated autoimmune illness. Here we see a destruction of beta-cells. Some causes of T1DM are autoimmune diseases, endocrine disease, hereditary predisposition, damage or removal of the pancreas, viruses and infections, drugs and chemical toxins, and unfavorable environmental factors. Genetics and immune function play a larger role in development of T1DM.
With T2DM we see insulin resistances leading to reduced insulin production. Some T2DM modifiable risk factors are physical inactivity, high body fat or weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Some non-modifiable risk factors for T2DM are race and ethnicity, people older than 45, and family history of diabetes or gestational diabetes. Obesity is a huge driver in type 2 progression and non-caucasian races are more likely to get T2DM.
Impact — Microvascular, macrovascular, economics, social
Diabetes causes major complications. Some microvascular conditions with the eyes, kidneys, and neuropathy. As well as some macrovascular complications regarding the brain, heart, and extremities. As of 2021 in the United States 8.5% of adults are diagnosed with diabetes. In 2013 diabetes was the 7th leading cause of death in the world. In 2017 the estimated economic burden of diabetes was $327 billion USD, $237 billion are attributed to direct medical costs (Parker et al., 2024; WHO, 2009).
Ayurveda and Diabetes —
Diabetes can highlight the importance of balance of a system in numerous ways. There are multiple pathways and organs that can be affected by diabetes. If these pathways are imbalanced, it can lead to health issues. Some of the organs that can be affected are adipose, muscle, liver, brain, colon, microbiome, immune system, stomach, small intestine, and the kidneys.
As diabetes is a system that is considered to be imbalanced, it makes sense that Ayurveda has attempted to manage this imbalance. There are multiple herbs that have been used for diabetes like fenugreek and gymnema. In one study an herbal concoction called Diabecon was used as therapy and the results reflected that it was “modestly helpful. In multiple animal studies another concoction of herbs called pancreas tonic, had indications that this formula might offer benefit regarding diabetes. A study with people was conducted and results indicated that it could help improve blood sugar control (EBSCO CAM Review Board, 2022). While some studies suggest that Ayurvedic therapies may help manage T2DM symptoms, another paper points out that most of these trials are small or have errors in their design. There are claims that there is not a ton of scientific evidence supporting Ayurveda’s claimed value for some health issues (NCCIH, 2018). It is important to note that scientific evidence for effectiveness is inconclusive, and as the treatments with Ayurvedic are personal it is difficult to conduct studies (USDA et al., 2013).
Overall, though, the idea of Ayurvedic and balance is not inherently incorrect. The T2DM modifiable risk factors, physical inactivity, high body fat or weight, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, could all be changed with change in diet and exercise/yoga. So, while herbs may not be a sure solution, I feel like the idea of balance in one's life is accurate. If we were perfectly balanced, as the Ayurvedic method suggests we should be, then in theory our health, and therefore diabetes would be balanced.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2013). Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2012. Diabetes Care, 36(4), 1033–1046. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc12-2625
Chopra, A., & Doiphode, V. V. (2002). Ayurvedic medicine: core concept, therapeutic principles, and current relevance. Medical Clinics of North America, 86(1), 75–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-7125(03)00073-7
EBSCO CAM Review Board. (2022). Ayurveda. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health.; EBSCO. https://research-ebsco-com.proxy.li.suu.edu:2443/linkprocessor/plink?id=3f98a859-0323-308e-9c60-c4a723452648
Jaiswal, Y., & Williams, L. (2016). Review article A glimpse of Ayurveda the forgotten history and principles of Indian traditional medicine. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 7(1), 1–4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411016000250?via%3Dihub
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institutes of Health, & U.S Department of Health and Human Services. (2013). Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction. Stetson. https://www.stetson.edu/law/academics/advocacy/pretrial/media/NPTC%202%20Exhibit%20G.pdf
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2018, December). Ayurvedic medicine: In depth. Nccih.nih.gov; NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayuirvedic-medicine-in-depth
Pandey, M. M., Rastogi, S., & Rawat, A. K. S. (2013). Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013(1), 1–12. online-library. wiley. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/376327
Parker, E. D., Jyh Dong Lin, Mahoney, T. J., Nwanneamaka Ume, Yang, G., Gabbay, R. A., ElSayed, N. A., & Bannuru, R. R. (2024). Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2022. Diabetes Care, 47(1). https://doi.org/10.2337/dci23-0085
U.S Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Health, & National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2009). Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction (pp. 1–8). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-HE20-PURL-gpo29672/pdf/GOVPUB-HE20-PURL-gpo29672.pdf
World Health Organization. (2009). Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. In iris.who.int. World Health Organization.
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