Curated Paper 1- Jamie Thygerson

Ayurveda is generally thought of in terms of holistic medicine, but for the purpose of this paper, ayurveda is defined as the general concept that all parts of the body, mind, and consciousness are connected, and an imbalance in one will cause an imbalance in the other. There are many studies on ayurveda, and the general consensus seems to be positive. A lot of diseases seem to be caused by some imbalance in the body, mind, and possibly the consciousness, such as an overabundance or misplacement of a bacteria species in the body or an overexertion of the immune system wearing down on the body. These imbalances lead to other problems within the body, mind or consciousness. We’ve seen examples such as stress and diet having great impacts on the body, like heart disease or IBD. This generally reflects that the mind, body, and consciousness do have a connection and balance with each other.

Testing the concept of ayurveda directly could be a difficult task to take on, but there are many studies, and much to consider, in the simpler concept that imbalances in one part of the body can lead to imbalances and problems in other parts. Some examples of this would be the effects of diabetes on the body, and the many new connections that have been found between the body and the human microbiome.

In diabetes there is an imbalance in the insulin pathway. This imbalance can have effects on many different organs and body systems from the brain to the gut microbiome. A more immediate and obvious effect of imbalanced insulin levels are imbalanced blood sugar levels, often leading to hyperglycemia while the cells that need the glucose cannot uptake it and they starve. This can happen in type 1 from an overall decrease or absence of insulin production, or in type 2 from insulin resistance in the cell receptors. This immediate effect of hyperglycemia alone can lead to many problems, not only in the cardiac system itself, but effects have been seen as far reaching as depression and dental cavities.

Diabetes can be caused by many things. Type one diabetes could stem from hereditary factors, environmental factors, diseases or infections, drugs, and much more. Unfortunately in type 1 diabetes, a person may not know they have it until 25% or more of their islet cell mass (where insulin is made by beta cells) is gone. This is because there are no diabetes symptoms up until this point. Type 2 diabetes is less tricky and can be caused by hereditary factors, age, body weight, activity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. 

The major effects that the imbalance of diabetes causes in the body present themselves in the eyes, kidneys, nervous system, brain, heart, and extremities. In the eyes, hyperglycemia and high blood pressure caused by diabetes can lead to retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. In the kidneys those same conditions can cause damage and overwork resulting in nephropathy. In the nervous system hyperglycemia can cause peripheral nerve damage which can then lead to pain and numbness, which can further lead to undetected wounds, ending in infection and gangrene. For the brain, risk of stroke and cerebrovascular disease increase. In the heart, high blood pressure and insulin resistance increases the chance of coronary artery disease, and in the extremities, as mentioned before, gangrene and other complications become more likely due to nerve damage and reduced blood flow. On top of all of these connections in the body, there are also studies showing that diabetes has trends with aggression, depression, alcoholism, and unhappy marriages.

Recent studies have shown that the human microbiome is just as connected, if not more than, as our insulin pathway is to the rest of our body. The microbiome consists of all bacteria and other microorganisms living within and on the human body, although most studies mainly focus on bacteria within the GI tract. There is much we don’t know about the microbiome, but we are realizing how important it is with studies linking microbiome health with sleeping habits, weight and nutrition, the immune system, brain development, the cardiovascular system, and of course, the health of the GI tract.

How we first get our microbiome is yet to be discovered, but there is some evidence that it is already developing as early as fetal stages. There is further evidence to suggest the microbiome is enhanced and differentiated by birthing style and feeding style of infants, continuing to develop until the age of two or three. If the microbiome is altered in infancy or early childhood by something like antibiotics, there is some evidence, supported by the practice of administering antibiotic doses to livestock, that this can promote obesity (the goal of administering antibiotics to livestock), metabolic abnormalities, and autoimmune diseases.

According to NIH bacteria in the microbiome harvest energy from food, balance bacteria composition, manufacture neurotransmitters like serotonin (which affects sleep, mental well being, hunger, etc.), manufacture enzymes and vitamins (like vitamin K), and influence immune and metabolic functions in the body. Several other studies with mice also indicate these relationships and benefits, playing with a complete absence of a microbiome, antibiotics, probiotics, and stress tests to see effects on health, and try to pinpoint some of the signaling pathways between bacteria and brain.

There are proven links between parts of the body with each other, such as insulin imbalances with the nervous system, and the human microbiome with weight gain. As stated above, diabetes has many reaching effects on the body which can in turn increase the insulin imbalance that caused them. Stress on the body and mind is shown to present itself in gut behavior, which very likely includes the gut microbiome, and according to many of the studies, the microbiome can in turn affect the body.  The signaling pathways of these phenomenons are mostly unknown, and just how great an effect parts of the body have on each other is also unknown, but future studies may very well increase our understanding of these relationships, and change the way we treat imbalances, disorders, and infections in the future.

Curated Paper

 

Ayurveda is a traditional and holistic (Hindu) Indian medicine system that focuses on natural approaches to health and wellness originated thousands of years ago. It is based on the idea that disease is caused by an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness. Also, its basic idea is that everything in the universe is connected to each other. Yes, I do believe, as we, human, know very little of the universe. Even though things are independent from other events, I think it is really connected in some way we can’t understand. I think even though one thought does not physically happen in the world I believe that a thought can affect something in the real world at some point in some way. Your negative thought might incur secretion of hormones that might have affect on your mood or body. If those kinds of reaction occur and cascade into other reactions, that might cause actual disease. Changes in daily routine can make you sick, such as binge eating or skipping meals or sleep. As our body is out of control or routine, we refer to it as disease and it is subject to treat.

The Ayurveda treatment is to support the body in removing toxins and impurities, reduce symptoms, increases disease resistance, reduce stress, and create more harmony and balance in life. For me, this sounds like it is relying on the immune system itself by making your body focus on fighting the disease. It does not sound like “active treatment”.  Ayurvedic medicines are mostly considered as dietary supplements in the US. The US is more open to dietary supplements than other countries. Things that are necessary or produced in our body naturally are dietary supplements, not medicine here, but it is not the case throughout the world. For instance, 3mg or more melatonin requires doctor’s prescription in South Korea, but it is dietary supplement in the US even it is kind of “high dose (10mg)”.

Ayurveda would be more accessible to people who don’t have health insurance in the US since it sounds like it does not require fancy and expensive technology. Or maybe free from major side effects or toxins of medications. Yoga, herbal medicine, meditation, massage, diet with a variety of spices, and so on are more accessible to people. But as these are not scientifically proven medical treatments, they cannot cure some severe diseases. There were even lead poisoning cases as a result of taking Ayurvedic treatment in Victoria. Since it has been practiced for over thousands of years, some treatments are not scientifically proven “good”, so not all treatment is free from side effects. Maybe more dangerous.

But overall, these days, ayurveda can be a good disease preventing life-style guide. Building your own healthy daily routine such as mealtime, regular workout, meditation, well-balanced nutrition, and being happy can prevent diseases that are caused by imbalance in our body.

One of the prevalent diseases caused by imbalance of our body is diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar level associated with changes in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. It causes problems on every part of the body as it increases blood sugar level and blood circulates in every single part of the body. Diabetes increases blood acidity since the body is using fat to produce energy instead of sugar, and breaking down fat produces ketone. This condition is called diabetic ketoacidosis. When our body regulates the blood acidity, it utilizes the blood oxygen and carbon dioxide level. To reduce the blood acidity, would diabetic people’s body try to increase the respiration rate? To find the balance in blood acidity?

I found a journal article that says diabetic patients cannot synthesize fatty acids and triglycerides from carbohydrates and amino acids. Also, adipose tissues play important roles in communication and insulin sensitivity and regulate fat storage, energy metabolism, satiety and insulin release. How would this be related to diabetic people’s physical condition?

Speaking of hyperglycemia, when I went back to South Korea last year, I visited my mom’s lab and helped her experiment with a drug candidate for diabetes. Those were tested on Gallus gallus which is chicken, but I remember I read a paper about blood sugar level of chickens. Chickens’ normal blood sugar level is much higher than human. When chickens eat, their blood sugar level rises until it hits fatal level for us. They are resistant to high blood sugar levels. Would chickens have a key to prevent damage caused by high blood sugar levels?

Our gut microbiome also plays a role in terms of metabolism in our body. People who have higher insulin sensitivity have different gut microflora than people who have lower insulin sensitivity. I wonder if the changes in microflora would cause diabetic conditions or diabetic conditions changes the microflora? My gut feeling is the change in the composition of microbes is result of diabetes. The imbalance in microbiome can cause the disease. Also, I found a paper which found that the bacteria species that are found in people who have higher insulin sensitivity is a part of human fecal microbiota, but they could not find them in colon cancer. Which made me think change in environment killed them.

Before searching about diabetes, I thought diabetes is caused because of the not healthy lifestyle and eating habit. Also, I did not know about the effort and money the US government spent each year. If diabetes is really cause by the imbalance of the body, would ayurveda can help prevent or reduce diabetes in the world? 

Beau Blake’s Curated Paper 1

     Honestly, I first thought Ayurveda sounded like a deadly disease. When first assigned the topic I expected to be looking at some gruesome disease that has left a ton of people in hospitals around the world. So, surprise, it's the study of life and the life force of an individual. So I thought to myself, “Great now we have learned about this health nut mumbo jumbo yoga crap”. I should have learned by now to stop judging things at face value because the more I learned about the topic of Ayurveda, the more I became intrigued by the idea.

The concept of ayurveda begins back in the 2nd century BC in the Vaisheshika, a group of Hindu Philosophical teachings. It focuses on the five elements (water, air, earth, fire, and space). While this may sound like I might start reciting the intro for Avatar: The Last Airbender,  I will focus more on the topic of imbalances and balances in a person's body that are critical to an individual's health. While most people will look at first glance and think “Well, duh, that's common sense”. What comes to mind for me is my family and their stories about imbalances in their lives.

Before I get into their different stories I should first mention my family history with metabolic disorders. Most students are haunted by all the many hours studying, drawing, and memorizing the many different components of metabolic pathways that are in a human’s body. While I am in the same boat as most of those students, I also have been trying to learn more about the different reasons as to why my family is affected by these imbalances in our bodies. So to start, I should talk about my grandfather.

My Grandpa Has two different types of metabolic disorders. The first one that I will talk about is type two diabetes. My grandpa served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was exposed to Agent Orange.

Agent Orange is what they called a chemical herbicide and defoliant that soldiers sprayed during the Vietnam War. One of the chemicals used in Agent Orange is a highly toxic chemical called Dioxin. Dioxin is a highly toxic chemical that can cause a variety of different things in humans but it has been shown that low exposure to it is related to type two diabetes. While there have been repeated studies that show that Agent Orange has been related to the increase of risk for type 2 diabetes, scientists cannot explain the reason as to why. All they know is that dioxin causes some sort of imbalance that increases the risk of insulin resistance in those soldiers who were exposed to Agent Orange. While my grandpa’s lifestyle probably didn’t help him prevent the development of type 2 diabetes, it is something to think about when talking about how imbalances in our lives can cause bad health consequences.

The second metabolic disorder that my grandfather has, and has now passed on to his kids and now to me and my cousins is Hypothyroidism. This is when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones for your body. It usually isn't that serious with the side effects being weight gain and other things that are pretty easy to deal with. It can lead to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, Which really scares me personally. But because of the hypothyroidism in my family, me and my brothers have to watch out for becoming pre-diabetic. Weight gain is one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. 

So far, me and my two older brothers have been okay because we stay somewhat active and take daily hormone replacement tablets called levothyroxine. My older brother runs, my other brother works construction, and I wrestle and coach wrestling. But my younger brother, on the other hand, is pre-diabetic. He is pushing 450 lbs right now. Back when he was 16 he reached 400 lbs and my parents got him on keto and got him down to 240 lbs. But when he went on his mission he gained it all back and he refuses to do any diets or try exercise. I am really worried because I really want him to be healthy so he can have a long life.

This is the part of the paper where I ask the reader, and myself, to take a step back and hear me out for a little bit. While yes I am talking a lot about weight and weight gain. And of course, the easy thing is to assume that this weight is what is causing the imbalance, and if my brother would lose the weight then he would fix his imbalances. This is where I think that Ayurveda could get too out of hand, that by focusing too much on one imbalance they ignore all other possible imbalances. While I’m not saying that losing all that weight will help his life, I just ask you to listen to my mom’s story and then judge.

Just like my grandpa, my mother has had problems with her thyroid, but way more than any of us has had to deal with. At the age of 32, my mom was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Due to this, they had to perform thyroidectomy where they had to remove the whole thyroid that the cancer had spread to. And then after this, she had to go through chemo and radiation. Then after all of this, a year later she was involved in a dune buggy accident that left her with a broken neck. With her thyroid gone and not being able to be as active as she was, she began to put on a lot of weight. After her neck was healed up, her body still was broken. She was constantly in pain and couldn’t do many things that she used to be able to. And every time that she went to the doctor they all said the same thing: lose the weight. This always left my mom in tears because she was trying to but all the pain and the increase of difficulty made my mom feel like it was all her fault and that she wasn't trying enough.

Finally, it got to the point that my mom went and had gastric bypass surgery so that she could lose weight and start to feel better. After the surgery my mom started to lose the weight like she was supposed to, yet she wasn't feeling better. It was making things worse. Her neck pain was getting worse, the pain around her chest was increasing, and then on top of all of this was the pain from her surgery. It got bad enough that we had to go to an emergency room and there we found out that she had a tumor growing in the top of her left lung. All that weight she lost was making things worse for her. They also found that bone spurs were growing where she had broken her neck.

Now I give this story because sometimes we go chasing after imbalances to fix for so long that it 1: can make things worse or 2: becomes too late. A large portion of my mom's problems could have been avoided if my mom’s doctors hadn’t focused so much on her imbalance of weight and more on finding other imbalances that could have been affecting her. It was lucky that we found out before it was too late.

In summation, in learning more about Ayurveda, metabolism, and imbalances, I have learned a lot about how life is an effort to keep things as balanced as possible. Sometimes it's as easy as fixing one aspect of your life, and other times it seems like there are a million different things that are all trying to throw us off balance. Our health, and the health of others, depends on how we choose to fix these imbalances. So those of you who read this, I hope you can take something good out of the stories that I have shared about my family and use them in your future professional careers by fostering an approach to people or patients that values individual experiences. I also hope that, unlike myself throughout this paper, we don’t rush to judgment and listen to our bodies more.

Curated paper 1

Over the past few weeks, we have explored a variety of important topics, including the ancient practice of Ayurveda, the intricacies of metabolism, and the significance of the microbiome. One essential aspect that merits further examination is the influence of Ayurveda on the health and functionality of all bodily systems. Specifically, I aim to delve deeper into how Ayurvedic principles can impact our metabolism, shape our microbiome, and enhance our cognitive abilities within the classroom environment.

When considering what it means to lead a well-rounded and active lifestyle, many individuals often reference the predominant messages propagated through social media. These messages typically emphasize three main components: consuming nutritious foods, engaging in intense physical workouts, and, in a somewhat perplexing manner, investing in cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin. However, this narrow view overlooks the multifaceted nature of health maintenance, a reality where Ayurveda plays a pivotal role.

The appropriate application of Ayurvedic practices is crucial for cultivating a balanced lifestyle, as it encompasses more than just dietary choices or exercise routines. It invites individuals to consider the connection between mind, body, and environment, highlighting how factors such as digestion, emotional wellbeing, and individual constitution contribute to overall health and wellness. By integrating Ayurvedic principles into our daily lives, we can achieve a more holistic approach to health that profoundly enhances our vitality and cognitive function, ultimately supporting our academic performance and enriching our everyday experiences.

When examining the role of Ayurveda in metabolism, it is essential to adopt a comprehensive perspective that encompasses the intricate interplay between the mind, body, and environment. This ancient practice emphasizes the necessity of achieving equilibrium within oneself and fostering a profound connection to the surrounding environment. To maintain a healthy metabolism, which includes regulating critical factors such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and pH balance, one must consider several key components. 

Firstly, the mind plays a pivotal role in shaping our metabolic health. Research has demonstrated that a positive mindset significantly influences an individual's ability to implement and sustain healthy lifestyle changes. Thus, the initial step involves cultivating a mindset conducive to well-being, where individuals are encouraged to consciously evaluate their dietary choices. For instance, if the goal is to lower blood sugar levels, it becomes imperative to select nutrient-dense foods that align with this objective, thereby fostering a proactive approach to nutrition.

Secondly, from an Ayurvedic perspective, viewing metabolism as a multifaceted system within the body allows for a more nuanced understanding of health. This holistic approach necessitates an examination of various bodily functions—such as digestion, energy production, and hormonal balance—to ensure that each system operates at optimal capacity. By addressing these interconnected components, individuals can more effectively identify and rectify issues, leading to improved metabolic function and overall health.

Finally, the influence of the environment cannot be overstated. Creating a supportive setting that reinforces healthy behaviors is crucial for sustained progress. This includes eliminating temptations, such as sugary snacks and beverages, from one’s immediate surroundings. Moreover, surrounding oneself with a community of individuals who share similar health goals provides an invaluable support system. Engaging with peers who encourage accountability and offer motivation fosters a collaborative atmosphere that enhances commitment to personal wellness objectives.

The second crucial aspect to explore is the role of Ayurveda in maintaining a healthy microbiome. While many people typically associate the microbiome with gut health, it is important to recognize that our microbiome encompasses more than just the trillions of bacteria residing in the gastrointestinal tract. In fact, every system within the body has its own unique microbiome, which is essential for the optimal functioning and survival of both the individual and the respective body system.

To understand the relationship between Ayurveda and the microbiome, we can focus on three main components: the mind, the environment, and the body. First, when considering the microbiome in the context of Ayurveda, the mind plays a significant role. This perspective diverges slightly from discussions about metabolism, as it involves not only the cultivation of a positive mindset but also the maintenance of the conditions under which beneficial bacteria can thrive. Often overlooked, the cognitive-like functions of bacteria—essentially their ability to adapt and respond to their environment—are critical for their survival. Without appropriate conditions, these microorganisms may prioritize survival over their beneficial roles, altering their functions in ways that can negatively impact health. Consequently, maintaining a stable and supportive environment for these bacteria is vital for overall well-being.

Next, we must examine the environmental factors that influence the microbiome. Each microbiome has specific conditions in which it thrives, including particular pH levels, nutrient availability, and immune system interactions. For example, the gut microbiome requires a balanced diet that supports the growth of beneficial bacteria while minimizing the presence of harmful pathogens. In Ayurveda, the foundational principle is balance; thus, we must emphasize the importance of creating an optimal environment for our microbiomes. A disturbed environment can lead to dysbiosis, a condition in which the microbiome becomes unbalanced, potentially compromising our health.

Finally, it is essential to consider the body in this context as each individual microbiome represents a distinct entity within the larger ecosystem of our health. Each microbiome comprises a diverse array of bacteria, including both beneficial and potentially harmful strains. While it is possible to target and eliminate unwanted bacteria, it is important to acknowledge their presence as part of the microbiome's complexity. Like the human body, these microbiomes are highly sensitive and require careful management to ensure that all components function harmoniously. Maintaining this delicate balance is key to promoting healthy growth and optimizing the benefits derived from our microbiomes.

The final topic I would like to explore is the influence of Ayurveda on classroom performance and attention. Reflecting on my academic journey, I recognize the myriad courses and assignments that have shaped my experience, prompting me to consider the underlying factors that have contributed to my success. In this context, Ayurveda plays a vital role, as it provides a framework for maintaining balance that is essential for students, including myself. Without this equilibrium, we risk experiencing burnout, feelings of inadequacy, and a host of negative emotions that can impede our academic progress. While it is true that students frequently confront these challenges amidst their hectic schedules, the principles of Ayurveda offer a subconscious resource that facilitates mental, physical, and environmental recalibration, allowing us to focus and ultimately achieve our goals.

To begin, it is important to consider our bodies, which encompass both physical and mental dimensions. Viewing the body and the brain as distinct yet interconnected entities is crucial for fostering healthy growth and development. In terms of physical well-being, maintaining a balanced lifestyle is paramount. This includes engaging in regular exercise, consuming at least three nutritious meals daily, ensuring adequate sleep, and allocating time for relaxation and study. Simultaneously, we must focus on the mental health of our brains, ensuring they are well-nourished, hydrated, sharp, and capable of sustained focus while also allowing for periods of relaxation. The intentional overlap between these two categories is essential; if one aspect falters, it can hinder the overall functionality of the entire system.

Next, we must delve into the mental component, which encompasses the confidence and determination necessary for academic success. Belief in our ability to excel—whether in passing an upcoming exam or mastering a challenging subject—is fundamental. If we lack confidence, our potential for success diminishes. Therefore, maintaining mental balance involves curating the inputs we expose ourselves to, from the music we listen to, to the positive affirmations we practice daily. Every element must be thoughtfully considered to cultivate a mindset conducive to achievement.

Finally, it is essential to examine the environment we inhabit. This includes the individuals we surround ourselves with, as their influence can significantly impact our academic journey. It is vital to ensure that our support network—comprising friends, family, study partners, and educators—uplifts us rather than discourages us. When faced with the challenges of an academic career, negative reinforcement from those around us can lead to self-doubt and a decline in performance. By adhering to Ayurvedic principles, we can foster an environment populated by those who provide constructive feedback when necessary while also offering encouragement and support throughout our educational pursuits.

Ayurveda is a valuable practice that plays a crucial role in enhancing the health and functionality of various bodily systems, including metabolism, microbiome health, and cognitive performance in educational settings. By fostering a holistic approach, Ayurveda encourages individuals to cultivate balance within the mind, body, and environment, thereby addressing the interconnected factors that influence overall well-being. In the realm of metabolism, Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset, healthy dietary choices, and lifestyle practices that promote optimal physiological function. Similarly, it highlights the significance of maintaining a stable environment for the microbiome, where beneficial bacteria can thrive amidst carefully managed conditions. Additionally, Ayurveda supports cognitive abilities by promoting mental clarity and resilience, essential for academic success. As we reflect on these diverse applications, it becomes evident that integrating Ayurvedic principles into modern medical practices could lead to improved health outcomes and a more comprehensive understanding of wellness. Focusing on Ayurveda may empower individuals to achieve their goals while preventing the negative emotional states often associated with academic pressures, ultimately enriching both their academic and everyday experiences.

Curated Paper #1 Trevor Muray

     When thinking about Ayurveda I was completely in the dark, I had no previous knowledge of ayurveda or what it could even entail. Being part hispanic, I actually presumed the word to be a Spanish word at a quick glance. There’s no direct translation for ayurveda into Spanish, but by breaking up ayurveda into two different words with ayuda meaning “help”, and vida meaning “life” you get to create a translation. With these words you get “life help” or “helper of life”, and after digging into what ayurveda actually is, that translation isn't too far off. The ideology and lifestyle of ayurveda as explained by the Directorate of AYUSH is the, “union of physical body, sense organs, mind and soul.” These aspects are also known as dosha(meta physiological entities), atma(soul), indriya(sensory organs), and manas(mind). Showing that the purpose of ayurveda is to bring the whole body together to work as one, and create balance within the system. And seeing as this is the case, the Spanish translation of “helper of life”, does correlate pretty closely to the function of ayurveda. By keeping the body in balance and while also getting rid of what they call mala from the system. That would help people have a healthy life.
    Reflecting more on the topic of ayurveda and seeing its focus more on balancing and relaxing the body and soul. One of the main things that’s brought up with ayurveda is stretching the body and helping the body gain balance in exercising, such as yoga. This form of relaxation is again used to of course help the body reconnect with the mind and regain focus. And while I've never done yoga before, thinking of this type of body and mind connection, it reminded me of when I was younger with my abuelita. When my brother and I would get sick our abuelita would give us a massage to comfort us. Granted it was never a full body massage, it was just shoulders, massaging our arms, or the most common one that we got was one where she was massaging our wrists. While I never really paid attention to it, I felt good because I was getting to spend time with my grandma, which alone lifted my spirits and made me feel better.
    However when researching the idea of massaging helping with sickness, I actually found that massage therapy is practiced everywhere. One blog post from Shield chiropractic discussed how massaging can actually offer relief from common cold symptoms year round. But at the same time it allows for improved, “circulation in the body, which may help your immune system fight the virus that causes the common cold. Moreover, massage therapy can provide a boost to your immune system so that it’s at full strength, reducing the severity and duration of cold symptoms.” They even mentioned how massage therapy can work on sinus congestion, by finding a certain point to allow for the sinuses to drain.
    When reflecting more on the idea of ayurveda and how essential it is to keep a balance within the body, I think of a major disease that is caused by an imbalance, that disease being diabetes. Diabetes can take on a bunch of different forms of how it affects the body, or even when it affects the body. Prediabetes is one of these forms, with an increase in blood sugar, leading towards type 2 diabetes.Yet, the body still has a chance to bounce back with the help of a healthier diet and exercise. Another form that can affect the body is gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy so it only affects females. This form of diabetes is also similar to type 2 diabetes with the placenta putting strain on the pancreas for insulin secretion. While doing this it can also cause insulin resistance to occur in the cells, since the body is diverting energy from the mother to the baby. Interestingly though, this form of diabetes can actually dissipate, reverting blood sugar levels once the baby is born. Yet this isnt always the case, if sugar levels can’t decrease it would lead to a prolonged diabetic infection.
    While pre diabetes and gestational diabetes  are interesting topics that I was able to learn about, type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the ones that plague most people around the world. With type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the beta cells that produce the necessary hormone insulin to regulate the body’s glucose levels(Lucier & Dulebohn). And while the reason why the body attacks its own beta cells is still unknown, “ researchers believe there is a genetic predisposition with a strong link with specific HLA alleles”(Lucier & Dulebohn). With HLAs being Human Leukocyte Antigens(Nordquist & Jamil). And while type 1 is mostly due to genetic properties, type 2 diabetes is caused by the same imbalance in insulin production, but it also deals with the cells in our bodies being affected by insulin resistance. Meaning that while there may be insulin in the system, sugars can’t get into cells due to fatty cells gumming up the locks that are bound in a cell membrane. This stops receptor proteins within the cell to keep it from opening. This in turn causes high blood sugar levels to start rising, causing other organs and other properties of the body to start malfunctioning.
    One main malfunction that interested me the most was the body’s ability to slowly heal, or lose the function of being able to heal. This is caused by various factors. With higher glucose levels in the blood, this can actually lead to damaged blood vessels(Dresden). Likewise diabetics are also susceptible to infections with high blood sugars dampening the effects of the immune system  by affecting macrophages, which help dispose of bacteria or other infections agents that enter the body. The period of inflammation is also increased, halting any progress that the body is trying to make to heal the wound.(Dasari, et al.).
    Living in Guatemala for a period of 7 months during the year 2019-2020 right before the COVID-19 pandemic. I was able to see how diabetes affected a lot of people socially. For most, insulin therapy was not an option. And while it is believed that most people had access to insulin or strips. When I was there, only those who had enough money got the chance to receive insulin therapy. While a lot of other indigenous people who had diabetes or even prediabetes, would solely rely on diet to keep glucose levels in check. At that point while their body was out of balance, they had to learn how to live as if it were balanced. It became their new normal. The hard part of course is as mentioned before if a person were to cut themselves while either at work, or even at home. They’d be at a higher risk of prolonged infection. Which if that weren’t enough, many people suffer from a combination of other diseases: tuberculosis or even Giardiasis, causing their immune system to be even more compromised.
    Seeing this societal and even economical burden that diabetes has caused, it's interesting to see how the numbers are able to break it down throughout a period of time. One of the research papers that was given to us titled, The Costs of Diabetes in The U.S. in 2012 by the American Diabetes Society, shows that spending on diagnosed diabetes was roughly $245 billion. Breaking this number down we see that “People with diagnosed diabetes incur average medical expenditures of about $13,700 per year, of which about $7,900 is attributed to diabetes” Those who have diabetes are expected to have medical expenditures 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be without having diabetes. When doing more research on the subject the Diabetes journal shows that costs have increased to $306 billion in 2022 for the direct medical costs of diabetes. However another part of the article shows the direct and indirect cost of diabetes has risen all the way up to $412.9 billion. And by the year 2030 global economic costs of diabetes  would rise to be about $2.1 trillion.   

      Overall, thinking about the societal and economic burdens that diabetes poses, my first thought was that there has to be a way to help regulate or control diabetes apart from modern treatment. When doing some  research on the subject it has been shown that an imbalance in not just in blood sugar but an imbalance in a strand of bacteria in the gut microbiome can cause type 2 diabetes. An article from Harvard Medical School states that a certain strand of, “Prevotella copri — a common gut microbe ​​that has the capacity to produce large quantities of branched-chain amino acids — was more commonly seen in the gut microbiomes of people with type 2 diabetes”. Seeing this strand create branched-chain amino acids, wasn't the only thing they observed. The article also states that they saw how bacteriophages could also decrease or increase the possibility of type 2 due to the fact that the bacteriophage would change how the bacteria is supposed to behave normally. The research shows that by helping those people change their diet to lessen the number of these bacteria could reverse effects of type 2 diabetes, or even buy them more time.
 

References:
https://ayush.delhi.gov.in/ayush/fundamental-principles Directorate of AYUSH
https://www.shieldschiropractic.net/blog/massage-relief-cold-symptoms
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10146621/ Microbiome and Depression/anixety
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546662/ (nordquist and jamil)
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507713/ (lucier and dulebohn)
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317483 (Dresden)
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/41/5/963/36522/Global-Economic-Burden-of-Diabetes-in-Adults (Global costs for Diabetes)
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/47/1/26/153797/Economic-Costs-of-Diabetes-in-the-U-S-in-2022 (Economic costs in the U.S.)
https://hms.harvard.edu/news/changes-gut-microbiome-may-increase-type-2-diabetes-risk (Gut microbiome and type 2 diabetes conenction)

Curated 1

 Ayurveda and Modern Medicine

Ayurveda means "life science." It is an old traditional Indian belief system based on the idea that health is achieved by balancing the body’s energies. In it, our physical, mental, and spiritual energies are associated with five elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These five elements then form the three energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Everyone has a unique combination of these energies, which control every aspect of our bodies. Vata is associated with movement, nerves, and circulation, representing the elements of air and space. Pitta is digestion and metabolism, linked to fire and water. Kapha, responsible for growth, structure, and stability, is associated with water and earth.

Along with all the energies and elements, Ayurveda encourages balance in life through daily routines, diet, meditation, and exercise. While I personally don’t subscribe to the spiritual or mystical aspects of the belief system, its emphasis on preventive care and overall health is awesome. It takes a whole-body approach and focuses on physical, mental, and even community aspects. This makes sense. Our bodies are not individual parts and pieces, but rather one whole. Treating one area without considering the rest is just asking for problems. Ayurveda also teaches that our environment has a major effect on health. Recent studies show a positive correlation between environment and well-being, such as higher suicide rates at high altitudes, personal happiness with increased community involvement, and the strong connection between physical health and happiness.

The American people would benefit immensely from adopting the good in this holistic system. Today, a lot of our peers are obese, stressed, unbalanced, and convinced that they themselves are not the problem. Convinced that everything can be fixed with some kind of pill, that physical health is impossible and out of their reach, or even that a focus on physical health isn’t necessary. While the environment and community are part of the problem, personal responsibility and discipline are the other half.

This last summer I worked as a biometric health screener and had firsthand exposure to how pervasive this problem has become. I worked for a health insurance company offering rebates to people if they came to our yearly health screenings. These tests monitored cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, and more. Many people would provide long unprompted stories about why they weren’t healthy. Sometimes it was some chronic condition, sometimes it was a medication, an injury, a lack of knowledge. Some just wanted the rebate. What was most surprising -- and unsettling -- was how many people had no idea they were at risk for serious health issues like diabetes.

Many people we screened were unaware that their blood glucose levels were dangerously high, teetering on the edge of pre-diabetes or well within the realm of the full-fledged disease. It highlighted for me just how disconnected many people are from their own health. Part of the job included research and reading to further understand how to help people want to be healthy, and on how to relay that information in a way that would be received well. It was incredible to learn more about how small changes in lifestyle, diet, and exercise have profound impacts throughout the entire body. 

This same principle is what Ayurveda is all about. The need for balance in life, including the proper intake of food, physical activity, and the management of stress and mental well-being, is essential. Adopting even small elements of this holistic approach could potentially prevent many cases of type 2 diabetes before they became severe enough to require medication.

The general attitude toward health in the good ol’ USA is reactive rather than proactive. People tend to only address health problems once they become unmanageable, which leads to an over-reliance on medication. This is where I see value in something like Ayurveda: to prevent problems before they arise by maintaining balance in life. Not only prevention, but also treating problems by focusing on balance in life would be beneficial. Catching high blood glucose levels early and making dietary adjustments and begin exercise routines before medications like metformin or insulin become necessary.

Ayurveda can’t fix everything though. Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. Children and young adults diagnosed with this condition had little hope for survival, as their bodies could not produce insulin. The work of Dr. Frederick Banting and Charles Best in the early 20th century revolutionized diabetes treatment. By extracting insulin from animal pancreases -- initially from dogs, then later from cows and pigs -- Banting and Best gave diabetic patients a chance at life for the first time. The first successful injection of purified insulin took place in 1922, administered to a 14-year-old boy. This groundbreaking work completely changed the landscape of diabetes treatment, allowing people who previously had no hope of survival to live normal lives.

However, insulin production and administration did not stop evolving there. In 1978, scientists made another leap forward when they developed synthetic human insulin using recombinant DNA technology. This was a breakthrough led by Eli Lilly and Co., in which scientists used bacteria to produce insulin identical to our own. The development of this synthetic insulin, dubbed Humulin, represented a major advancement, providing a more reliable and efficient means of managing diabetes. The FDA approved it in 1982, and since then, it has been produced on a massive scale, giving millions of people the ability to control their diabetes more effectively.

While those with type 1 diabetes don’t have much of a choice in the matter, the ongoing rise in type 2 diabetes should be a more troubling issue. Type 2 diabetes is preventable and often comes from lifestyle choices like poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress. This is where a more preventive, whole-body approach (cough, cough, Ayurveda) could be invaluable. Ayurveda could be applied to help people understand that their choices do have a major role in their own health, and that there is still hope and further happiness to work to. In the case of diabetes, adopting these principles could prevent many people from needing insulin in the first place.

In conclusion, while Ayurveda and modern medicine seem worlds apart, they share a common goal: saving lives and improving health. Whether through balancing the body’s ‘energies’ or making sure people are happy and healthy in their roles of community and personal health, Ayurveda has a lot of good that modern medicine, and by proxy modern medical professionals, can learn from. Combining modern medicine’s advancements with the preventive, lifestyle-focused principles of Ayurveda could offer a more comprehensive and effective way to manage and prevent diseases. 

Isaac Thomson Curated Paper 1

Health is much more than just treating an illness; it's about keeping a balance between the body, mind, and everything around us. In a lot of ways, modern medicine and Ayurveda agree on this. Diabetes, for example, isn’t just about a malfunctioning pancreas. There are so many other factors at play—social, emotional, and environmental—that make managing this disease a lot more complex. Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine from India, has always emphasized this balance. It’s based on the idea that the body’s energies, or doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—need to stay in harmony. When one of them gets out of balance, that’s when disease can occur. In a way, this perspective is pretty similar to the idea that diabetes management is more than just managing insulin levels. It’s about keeping everything—your life, your environment, and your body—in balance.

Looking at Type 2 diabetes, for example, it’s clear how lifestyle, diet, and even social inequalities play a huge role in how the disease develops and progresses. Ayurveda has its own way of explaining this. The Pitta dosha, which controls metabolism, needs to be balanced for someone to stay healthy. When it’s not, problems like diabetes can arise. This ancient approach seems to add another layer of understanding to what modern medicine tells us about the disease. Both systems, in their own ways, point out that the key to staying healthy is maintaining balance—whether it’s balancing insulin levels or managing the doshas.

When you think about diabetes today, especially in the U.S., one of the biggest challenges is how expensive it is to manage the disease. Insulin prices have skyrocketed, and people with Type 1 diabetes often struggle to afford the supplies they need to survive, like glucose monitors and insulin pumps. The healthcare system here tends to put profit over people, which makes it even harder for people to get the care they need. Ayurveda doesn’t directly deal with this kind of issue, but it does emphasize that we should live in harmony with our environment. This idea can be interpreted as a call for more balance in our healthcare system—where people’s well-being is prioritized over making money.

Food is another area where both modern approaches to diabetes and Ayurveda overlap. In many places, especially in low-income neighborhoods, people don’t have access to healthy, nutritious foods. They live in what’s called “food deserts,” where processed foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats are the easiest options. Ayurveda encourages eating foods that are in season, fresh, and aligned with your body’s natural needs. This idea can offer solutions for managing diabetes in a way that supports the body’s natural functions. Imagine if public health initiatives took these Ayurvedic ideas and applied them in communities where people have little access to healthy foods. It might create better outcomes, not just for those managing diabetes but for preventing the disease altogether.

For example, Ayurveda recommends eating foods that balance Pitta, the dosha that governs metabolism. According to Ayurveda, bitter greens help cool and pacify Pitta, which aligns with modern nutritional advice to eat more fiber and leafy vegetables for better blood sugar control. This small dietary shift, grounded in Ayurveda, could be a useful addition to how we think about nutrition for people with diabetes. It’s not just about reducing sugar or carbs; it’s about finding a deeper balance in what we consume.

Diabetes, especially Type 1, also comes with a heavy emotional burden. It’s not just the physical toll of managing blood sugar and insulin levels, but the constant mental strain of living with a chronic disease. People with diabetes often deal with anxiety, burnout, and even depression. Yet, these emotional struggles are not always considered in their treatment plans. Ayurveda, though, has long recognized that the mind and body are deeply connected. Stress and emotional disturbances can throw off the balance of Vata, one of the three doshas, leading to more physical health problems.

When Vata is elevated, people might experience anxiety, insomnia, or digestive problems, which are common symptoms for people trying to manage diabetes. Ayurvedic practices like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga aim to bring the mind and body back into balance by calming Vata. These practices could complement modern diabetes treatments by helping people manage the stress that comes with the disease. In fact, studies have shown that mindfulness techniques can lower stress hormones like cortisol, which can directly impact blood sugar levels. Combining these Ayurvedic practices with traditional diabetes care might offer a more holistic way to manage both the physical and emotional challenges of the disease.

Ayurveda isn’t just about treating disease after it happens; it’s about preventing it in the first place. This is one area where modern medicine and Ayurveda seem to differ, but they actually have a lot in common. While modern medicine often focuses on treating disease once it has developed, Ayurveda emphasizes daily routines and seasonal adjustments to keep the body in balance and prevent illness. This idea of prevention could easily be applied to efforts to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

In today’s world, people are becoming more sedentary, especially in urban areas. For many people, particularly those in lower-income neighborhoods, there aren’t safe or accessible places to exercise, and this contributes to the rise of Type 2 diabetes. Ayurveda teaches that we should live in harmony with natural rhythms, which includes regular physical activity and mindful living. These ideas are similar to what modern public health experts recommend when they tell us to exercise more and eat better to prevent diabetes. By encouraging people to adopt these Ayurvedic principles—such as staying active and eating in alignment with natural cycles—we could make significant strides in preventing diabetes.

Ayurveda’s personalized approach is another valuable insight that could complement modern medicine. Ayurveda tailors treatments and diets to each person’s dosha type, and this can be applied to how we think about personalized care for diabetes. For example, someone with a predominance of Kapha, the dosha associated with heaviness and stability, might be more prone to obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Ayurveda would suggest that people with Kapha dominance engage in more stimulating activities, eat lighter foods, and avoid too much rest—advice that aligns perfectly with modern recommendations for preventing insulin resistance and obesity. By integrating this personalized approach, we could offer more customized care that not only treats diabetes but also helps prevent it.

Both Ayurveda and modern medicine stress the importance of balance, whether it’s about insulin and blood sugar levels or the harmony between the body’s doshas. By bringing these two systems together, we can develop a more comprehensive way to manage chronic diseases like diabetes. Ayurveda’s emphasis on mental health, lifestyle changes, and prevention can enhance the biological treatments offered by modern medicine.

For example, insulin therapy is essential for managing Type 1 diabetes, but Ayurvedic practices can offer additional support for the emotional and mental challenges that come with the disease. Similarly, for people with Type 2 diabetes, combining Ayurvedic dietary principles with modern nutritional guidelines could improve disease management and even help prevent complications. On a broader scale, integrating Ayurveda into public health campaigns could lead to more sustainable and culturally sensitive ways of addressing chronic diseases like diabetes.

In the end, managing diabetes isn’t just about one approach. It requires a multifaceted plan that addresses the physical, mental, social, and environmental factors at play. Ayurveda and modern medicine, when combined, offer a fuller picture of how to manage and prevent diabetes. Both systems recognize that health isn’t just about treating symptoms—it’s about creating balance in all areas of life. By using insights from both, we can work toward more effective, equitable, and comprehensive care for people living with diabetes.

Jay Brown

    I honestly had a pretty hard time taking ayurveda seriously. I think I started my research the wrong way and stumbled across articles that gave me a bad first impression. It seemed very unscientific with the doshas that can become imbalanced and cause disease. It was hard to take seriously the recommendation to eat "cooling" foods such as cucumbers to balance a certain dosha. I figured that the point, however, was to appreciate the truth that our body and mind do rely on balance, though perhaps not in the exact way that traditional ayurveda spells out. I’ve since stumbled across some other articles that have been very eye opening and put ayurveda under a much more respectable light. One article included a long list of well known Indian herbs/plants, the traditional medicinal use, and references to modern studies that have proven the herb’s efficacy. One herb that especially piqued my interest was licorice as a remedy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). I’ve been diagnosed with a mild IBD and take four expensive pills every night to keep it in remission. I did some research about using licorice extract as a treatment and found that it undoubtedly has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in helping treat my disease. I am going to go buy some the next opportunity I have. Thank you ayurveda, I’m sorry I doubted you. Who knows what other principles of ayurveda that seem like pseudo-science actually can help prevent and treat disease. I’m embarrassed by how much modern medicine focuses on treating symptoms rather than really emphasizing lifestyle and diet changes to prevent disease rather than treat it. It is notable that medicaid only covers medical treatment of disease and will not cover preventative well-checks. The other way around would almost make more sense. Ayurveda has it right with emphasis on keeping our lives in balance to avoid disease.

I had a native Korean companion on my mission in South Korea. He was a firm believer in "Hanyak" which was traditional Korean medicine. There was a little shop he insisted we visit when he was having stomach problems. They gave him a bottle containing several balls of what looked like dirt. He convinced me to try one at some point. I chewed it up and swallowed, as you are supposed to. It was incredibly bitter, way worse tasting than the dirt it resembled. At the time, I wondered how much it's actually the active ingredients in the herbs which help as much as the placebo effect. Now I’m convinced that there probably was something very effective in there that might be unknown to the scientific community yet. It’s also possible that the horrible experience of chewing and swallowing the herb ball is what helps the person feel better. Perhaps if my companion had just swallowed several pills containing the same amount of herbs contained in the chewable balls it wouldn't have seemed so helpful. Either way, ayurveda deserves some credit because ayurveda emphasizes the interconnectedness of the mind and body. I think the mind and spirit can have a powerful effect on the healing or causing of disease.

I am so impressed with the decades of work that has gone into unraveling the mysteries of human metabolism. I distinctly remember sitting in my seventh grade science class learning about the organelles in the cell and getting the impression that we barely understand what these things do and what their function is. My teachers might have even said something like “We don’t really know how this works”. As I took genetics, physiology, microbiology, and biochemistry, I realized that we know to a staggering degree “how this works”. It was satisfying to learn and actually understand some metabolic pathways when I took biochemistry. I am very interested in the physiology of diseases as long as it’s larger than the atomic or molecular level. I’m not interested in molecular behavior. I would much rather have a practical understanding of what an specific enzyme is needed for, the physiological effect of a deficiency, and how it can be treated. I’m grateful that some people feel as excited about the molecular level of these things and are willing to do the research. I am going into dental medicine and I know that I will owe much of what I learn to those who have done work I don’t want to do. Perhaps someday I can pay them back with the work I am passionate about that they wouldn’t want to do. It’s a good thing everyone has different passions I guess. The intricacy of metabolic pathways makes me marvel that any of us survive at all. Our bodies are so complex. Beyond description complex. So much could go wrong that it’s amazing how frequently humans don’t have a genetic metabolic pathway deficiency.

It’s also amazing that so many diseases are entirely preventable. We know what causes it and exactly how to avoid it yet society largely chooses not to do what it takes to prevent many diseases. My reaction to a question asked during a lecture recording “Why is it not easier to get people to exercise? To try to reverse the obesity epidemic?” was “Yikes, that might be offensive to some listeners . . .” And that right there is part of the problem. In American culture especially, it is not acceptable to talk about someone’s weight. I served a mission in South Korea where the opposite was true, I had someone that barely knew me tell me that I had gained weight in my face since the last time they saw me. In their culture it was a way to show that you cared and paid attention to someone. Many years ago I heard some radio program or something talking about the issue of not wanting to talk about someone’s weight. They pointed out that it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to tell a friend lighting a cigarette that they should quit smoking, that it’s going to kill them. Why is it wrong then to tell an obese person eating a slice of cake or drinking a soda, “Hey, you really shouldn’t eat that, you need to change your diet or it’s going to kill you.” As I think about my own reservations about talking to anyone like this I realize that I would feel bad because I don’t know what it’s like. It feels unfair of me to tell someone they should control their cravings and exercise because I’ve never struggled with that. I’ve had the opposite problem of not being able to put on weight despite deliberately trying to. I recently cut added sugar from my diet but I sure didn’t for most of my life. I ate whatever I wanted as much as I wanted and it was usually chocolate chip cookies. Who am I to tell someone that they have to hold back? I remember a lesson taught in middle school that the most lasting insult you can tell a woman is about her appearance. Insults about talent or intellect are not as damaging. It was pounded into me to not comment on someone’s weight. How do you help someone avoid serious diseases like diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver, etc. while being tactful enough to not inflict self-esteem damage or influence the development of an eating disorder?  It’s a complicated issue without a clear solution. Studies on the microbiome seem to have promising insights about obesity, not only can an imbalanced microbiome influence chemical cravings for fat and sugar, mice experiments have shown how with an “obese” microbiome fecal transplant, a lean mouse will become obese even by eating the same quantity of food that it had been eating. Hopefully more studies on the balance of the microbiome will shed light on why managing weight is so difficult for so many.

Inactivity, however, definitely needs to be pounded into the brains of the public as a pandemic just as serious as Covid-19 was. It is arguably as contagious and seems like it’s costing more money than Covid did in the long run. Inactivity cannot be an acceptable way to live. I know doctors have a survey for their patients that asks about activity levels. When levels are too low, it seems like there should be a conversation as serious as if they were diagnosed with cancer. Statistically, inactivity is more likely to kill the patient. The link between inactivity and depression/anxiety is also alarming. Aren’t we facing a serious anxiety and depression pandemic? Shouldn’t physical exercise be emphasized as a critical part of well being as important as showing up for cancer treatment would be? The more I think about this, the more I’m realizing that some of the biggest issues the country is facing would be greatly benefitted by an emphasis on personal health. Taxes are high. So much of those taxes are going toward treating people with preventable diseases. I get scared even starting to look at the costs associated with healthcare and the fact that so much of it comes from taxes. I can’t wrap my head around the numbers that big. This is another topic that I am grateful for the people that aren’t overwhelmed by it. Anxiety and depression are high. Activity helps, probably better than medication would in some cases. Obesity, diabetes, and other conditions related to diet and exercise, are so detrimental to the well being of millions. So many cases could be prevented.

In conclusion, it seems like ayurveda needs a spotlight right now with the health issues the world is dealing with. Whether or not it works by the exact mechanism or doshas that ayurveda spells out, disease is caused by imbalance in our body or lifestyle and the best course of treatment is whatever can bring back that balance, whether by replacing a genetically deficient enzyme, or by changing lifestyle, an emphasis on balance seems to be the way to go.

Curated Paper 1 Adam Porter

 Ayurveda has roots that trace back to India 5000 years ago. It is still widely practiced in India encompassing almost 80 percent of their total healthcare system. Its basic tenets describe a relationship between the mind, body and spirit, three basic energies, and the guiding principle that balance is the most important aspect of health. 

Ayurveda teaches that the mind, body and spirit are interconnected and that many ailments can be traced back to a disconnect or imbalance in the relationship between them. This is especially true of the role of the gut and diet. Although not fully understood, this ancient understanding of the connection between the gut and the body is leading to potentially groundbreaking studies in many fields. One of these intriguing studies is the potential treatment of major depressive disorder by helping restore the body's microbiome with a fecal matter transplant. 

Although Ayurveda as a clinical practice has some faults, such as the use of heavy metals in treatment, its overarching philosophy of balance and interconnectedness holds great value in modern medicine.  

Balance and interconnectedness are demonstrated in several common and complex topics including metabolism, diabetes and the microbiome. 

The metabolic pathways for even the most simple organisms can be widely varied and complex. While learning and memorizing the Krebs cycle for the MCAT I was amazed by its complexity. Thinking about how this cycle is just a small part of a much more complex set of metabolic pathways specific to one of many types of organisms is staggering. During metabolism all metabolites and ions involved are tightly controlled and regulated in how they are processed, stored or secreted. One key example of this is the human body’s blood glucose level and its influence on whether or not incoming glucose is taken into cells or turned into glycogen in the liver. 

Metabolism has to be so tightly regulated because the concentrations of the metabolites need to be so tightly controlled in the body. If the blood’s concentration of any one ion gets out of balance then the effects can disrupt the electrical systems or fluid movement within the body. This idea becomes extremely important in healthcare. One critical example of this is the regulation of calcium and potassium in the body. If the body has too high or too low a concentration of one of these then it can cause cardiac arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest. The delicate balance of the body’s metabolism is protected by several mechanisms because of its importance. These are through filtration in the kidneys as well as regulation of hormones such as glucagon and insulin. 

One clear example of an imbalance that can cause cascading health failures and reaches far in our communities is diabetes. My experience with diabetes has largely been in two settings. The first is working in EMS. I have responded to many people who let their blood sugar drop too low which has led to confusion and weakness, unconsciousness and even cardiac arrest. We often treat this in an acute setting with administration of IV glucose followed with oral intake of complex carbohydrates and proteins. 

My other experience is as a medical scribe for a family practice physician. In this setting we more often dealt with chronic hyperglycemia associated with type two diabetes. This became dangerous to patients as it interfered with their circulation to body parts such as their hands, feet, legs, genitals and eyes. This was treated most commonly through medications such as insulin and metformin, lifestyle changes, and amputation of necrotic tissue. The cascade of direct and critical effects of something as simple as a glucose imbalance can cause life altering and life threatening consequences. The surprisingly narrow normal range for blood glucose is 70-100 mg/dl which reinforces the importance of strict regulation in our metabolism. 

I find the juxtaposition between type one and type two diabetes intriguing. Type one diabetes is caused by malfunction in the pancreas leading to an underproduction of the powerful hormone insulin. This generally leads to acute hyper or hypoglycemia. Both of these are generally corrected quickly and simply with either insulin or sugar intake. Type one diabetes is generally a larger problem for families, schools and individuals during the early to teenage years of the affected person as they aren’t yet practiced with balancing caloric intake with insulin self administration and ensuring that they get the adequate caloric intake each day. Type two diabetes is most often the byproduct of an unhealthy lifestyle and an unhealthy relationship with food. It is associated with a cellular insulin resistance and leads to chronic hyperglycemia which causes most of the symptoms that we associate with diabetes. The latter is the cause of the most widespread societal and economic consequences. 

  The idea that glucagon and insulin are antagonistic reinforces the motif of balance and ayurveda that is constantly present in the study of disease and human health. An over or underproduction of either of these hormones can lead to a cascade of consequences that can have critical acute and chronic consequences. 

  The economic effects of a population that are living with diabetes can be devastating. The disease itself is expensive to treat with medications like insulin, metformin and statin drugs costing hundreds of dollars a month. The other costs are the complications of diabetes. Renal disease, amputations and post operative care, strokes and heart attacks lead as some of the most expensive procedures and recurring treatments made necessary by the disease course of uncontrolled diabetes. The majority of these procedures for type two diabetics are paid for by Medicare so the economic impacts of all are felt by all American taxpayers. What is essentially glucose imbalance costs the United States over 245 billion dollars a year. These costs not only affect the healthcare industry but affect the whole country through reduced productivity, premature death and inflated medical insurance premiums. Other costs that are harder to calculate may be related to things such as reduced quality of life, increased instances of mental illness and decreased productivity of family and loved ones. 

I recently read an interesting article on how Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes are closely related. This article went as far as to say that Alzheimer’s disease could be aptly described as type three diabetes. Alzheimer’s disease does feature some neuronic insulin resistance. Their thought process was that this resistance significantly added to the building up of amyloid and tau plaques in the brain. I don’t believe that this mechanism has been fully explained or explored but there is a documented 81 percent of Alzheimer’s patients that have been diagnosed with type two diabetes.

Many people’s difficulties in overcoming diabetes are due to the strong effects that upbringing, social environment, and living conditions can have on health. The imbalances caused by diabetes are best treated by lifestyle changes such as increased exercise and a balanced diet which give the body the tools it needs to restore balance. Although this is the best treatment it is also the most difficult for many people to start, especially when taking medication seems like a proverbial magic bullet. 

Another aspect of health where balance is critical is the microbiome. The microbiome involves the microorganisms, specifically bacteria, that inhabit the human digestive tract, skin and mucous membranes. The microbiome is something that has become a topic of public interest in more recent years. Mostly these conversations involve talking about probiotics to improve gut health or how dangerous antibiotics can be to the gut microbiome. In the introduction to this topic it was mentioned that a person’s gut microbiome can be determined by where a person is living, who they are living with, and by their diet. It was also very interesting to learn that the microbiome is largely affected by the bacteria that each of us is exposed to following birth. 

The correct amount and composition of microorganisms in the body can be important to a number of different bodily functions. An imbalance in the gut’s microbiome can cause a lack of sufficient or quality sleep. This can then cause a greater imbalance in the microbiome. This cycle continues to worsen both the microbiome and sleep patterns, worsening the quality of life for the person. The direct connection between the quality of our sleep and the makeup of our gut’s microbiome solidifies the intricate and complex connections between different processes in the body.

The microbiome has implications for other major body systems as well. Including the cardiovascular system. We understand a large amount of the risk factors for heart disease including genetic factors, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and diabetes. The metabolites formed by various members of the microbiome can contribute to and warn of impending cardiovascular disease. One specific metabolite contributes to atherosclerosis which increases the risk of myocardial infarctions and strokes, the other metabolite can help to lower blood pressure. This shows that the concentration of the different microorganisms that create these metabolites can change the health outcomes in people’s lives. 

Our understanding of the microbiome and its connections to the other systems of the body is in its infancy. The microbiome affects our immune, cardiovascular, and neurological systems in ways that we do not fully understand. As we continue to learn about the intricate connections between body, mind and spirit we will hopefully find greater tools to help people to live longer and happier lives.