Management of Diabetes Mellitus (Madhumeha) through Yoga and Ayurveda

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

Type 1 Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), is caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The exact cause of this autoimmune reaction is not known, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. The pancreas still produces insulin, but the body is unable to use it effectively (insulin resistance), leading to high blood sugar levels. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, family history of diabetes, and age.

Diabetes According to Ayurveda

Ayurvedic views diabetes as a metabolic disorder caused by an imbalance in the body’s doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. According to Ayurveda, there are four subtypes of diabetes known as Prameha, each associated with a specific dosha.

Diabetes due to imbalance of Vata Dosha (Vataja Prameha):

Increased urination, a dry mouth, and weight loss are the hallmarks of this form of diabetes, according to Vataja Prameha. An imbalance in the Vata dosha is the root of it.

Diabetes due to imbalance of Pitta Dosha (Pittaja Prameha):

An imbalance in the Pitta dosha, which results in symptoms like increased thirst, a burning feeling, and inflammation, causes this form of diabetes.

Diabetes due to imbalance of Kapha Dosha (Kaphaja Prameha):

This form of diabetes is brought on by an imbalance in the Kapha dosha and is characterised by symptoms including increased mucus production, weight gain, and lethargy.

Diabetes due to imbalance of all Three Doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha (Sannipataja Prameha):

This type of diabetes is caused by an imbalance in all three doshas and shows symptoms of Vataja, Pittaja, and Kaphaja Prameha.

Symptoms of Diabetes (Lakshan)

1) Increased frequency of urine

2) Turbidity in urine

3) Excessive thirst and hunger

4) Fatigue.

5) Blurry vision

6) Numbness and tingling sensation in extremities

7) Recurrent UTIs

Treatment of Diabetes through Ayurveda and Yoga

Diet DOs (Ahara )

-Use of grains harvested 1 year back (purana dhanya)

-Roasted grains (Bharjit dhanya)

-Barley (Yava)

-Green gram (Mudga)

-Horse gram (Kulattha)

-Lentils (Masura) are recommended

-Fenugreek, bitter leafy vegetables like Fenugreek

-Flaxseed (Atasi)

-Mustard (Sarshapa)

Diet Dont’s

Excessive use of sweets, fruits salad, sugarcane, fruits like mango, watermelon, chikoo , custard apple, bananas , cashew nuts and other fruits with high glycemic index. Use of hydrogenated ghee, cold drinks.

Lifestyle (Vihara)

Do’s -

Ayurvedic text suggests Long walks, swimming, hard labor like pulling carts , digging Wells, serving animals etc.

All this involves muscle activity which helps in maintaining muscle tone and peripheral utilisation of glucose.

-Weight training exercises can be done. Exercise should be initiated with low intensity and should be gradually increased.

• It should not be done after having heavy meals

• It shoud be done regularly at fixed timings

• Before exercise, a person should have taken proper sleep, his prior meals should have been digested properly.

Don'ts -

-Day time sleep, especially just after taking heavy meals or irregular sleep pattern i.e. less than 5 hours or more than 10 hours

Yoga for Diabetes Mellitus

Yoga considers all aspects of diabetes mellitus in a person, such as physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Regular practice of yoga and a controlled lifestyle reduces Diabetes.

Yoga Asanas

Yoga position or postures are especially useful to reduce the fats in various parts specially in forward bending asana help in reducing fat near abdomen, hips and other areas .

Sitting posture -

1) Ardha mastyendrasana

2) Paschimottanasana

3) Padmasana

4) Siddhasana

Supine posture -

1) Sarvangasana

2) Halasana

3) Matsyasana

Prone posture -

1) Bhujangasana

2) Ardha shalabhasana

3) Shalabhasana