Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease which affects over 380 million people ( of whom 1.7 million are Australians). Out of the 380 million people about 20% of the population have Type 1 (if all people with adult-onset Type 1 are included in the statistic) and 80% have Type 2 diabetes. Monogenic diabetes (MODY) accounts for a small percentage of cases.

Even though Type 1 and Type 2 share the same name, they are very different diseases

Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed. The pancreas doesn't stop functioning but the cells which produce insulin slowly die off until they are no longer able to support the body in regulating the amount of sugar in the blood and to allow the glucose to be used for energy. The cause and trigger of this autoimmune attack is unknown and it can strike at any age.

Type 1 is categorised as either rapid-onset (often seen in children) or slowly progressive (often seen in adults, sometimes called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)). Classified as an incurable disease, Type 1 diabetes is managed with exogenous insulin therapy, and insulin is necessary for survival. The stress of this disease is enormous and having adequate coping mechanisms is essential. Although yoga cannot cure, prevent or reverse Type 1, it is an ideal way to manage the stress associated with the disease. Anecdotal and evidence-based studies have demonstrated that incorporating yoga postures, meditation and pranayama (breathing techniques) into a daily regime will decrease stress and may decrease the amount of insulin required.

In contrast Type 2 diabetes is thought of as a lifestyle disease and therefore preventable, curable and or reversible. It is a complex disease in which there is no autoimmune attack, but it is associated with insulin resistance, where the insulin that is produced does not work effectively. Type 2 diabetes also has a strong genetic component. Too much body fat, particularly around the mid-section, limits insulin’s ability to function properly. The more lean muscle mass we have the better the body is at burning glucose and utilising the insulin that is produced.

Exercise and changes in diet along with Type 2 medications are primary factors that support a person with Type 2 diabetes to manage their condition. In many cases exercise and diet alone can control blood glucose levels, but it is not a cure. And in many cases, exogenous insulin is the best line of therapy for the person with Type 2 diabetes.

The body and brain need glucose. Without the right amount of glucose in the blood we either experience hypoglycaemia (the brain is starved of fuel) or hyperglycaemia (the body becomes acidic and we burn our fat stores for fuel.) Either condition in excess is life threatening. So the right amount of sugar is essential for the proper functioning of all the organs.

How can Yoga and Ayurveda help?

Yoga pratices together with the sister science of Ayurvdea are a wonderful compliment to both types of diabetes.

The word Ayurveda comes from two words Ayus and Veda. Ayus means life, life being your body, mind, senses and associated organs. Veda means Science. So Ayurveda literally means The Science of Life and is based in the 5 elements. Because we are inseparably part of the natural world those same 5 elements make up our body.

Our bones comprise the element of Earth, We are composed of between 65% to 75% Water, depending on your gender and age. Fire fuels our digestive system. Our Lungs exchange the element of AIR and our cells are comprised of the Space element.

Each element combines within us in a unique way forming our constitution, called Prakriti.

The three combinations are :

Air and Space- Vata dosha

Fire and Water - Pitta dosha

Water and Earth- Kapha dosha

Ayurveda is all about lifestyle management and has a long history of treating diabetes. According to Ayurveda diabetes is classified into two categories.

The lean diabetic ( Type 1) a genetic disease
The overweight diabetic ( Type 2) a lifestyle disease due to excess

From there Ayurveda sees the disease as manifesting in the three different Ayurvedic constitutions

In Ayurveda Type 1 is categorised as either a:

Vata/ Pitta disease or Pitta disease

And Type 2 is a Kapha/ Pitta disease

Treatment for either is very specific and varied.

When it come to a yoga practice to treat your type of diabetes. It’s important to know your constitution and the type of diabetes you have. Also your current condition (Vrikruti) comes into play. The external environment, the pressures at work, The time of year, time of day and stage of life, all play a role in how you will be at the effect of the disease.

To learn more about your ayurvedic type, your inherent constitution ( Prakriti) and current condition ( Vrikruti) I would suggest you visit an Ayurvedic practitioner. An accurate assessment includes pulse and tongue diagnosis. A questionnaire which looks at your physical characteristics as well as mental and emotional tendencies and includes how your lifestyle choices and environmental and social stressors affect you on a day to day basis.

The goal in Ayurveda is not to become equal parts Vata, Pitta or Kapha, You want to bring your current condition, back to your inherent constitution. In the case of diabetes you may still have the disease once you come back to your inherent constitution, but the disease should be more manageable. In other words you will have the disease. the disease won’t have you!

What are the benefits of Yoga for Diabetes?

Having said all that there are practices that are perfect no matter what your constitution or what type of diabetes you have.

The benefits of yoga for both types of diabetes are immeasurable.

The benefits include:

Improvement in fasting post and pre meal blood glucose levels
Better glycemic control over longer periods of time
The amount of insulin required in Type 1’s is lower on both long and short acting Insulins
The drug requirements and long term complications are significantly reduced
Better Immune system function
Increased muscle mass to burn glucose more efficiently
Weight loss
Improvement in Insulin sensitivity and decreased insulin resistance
Stress reduction
A sense of purpose and discipline
Increased concentration
Improved sleep
Reduced anxiety and depression

Alongside a host of benefits yoga offers practical tools to help to free you from your habitual preoccupation with the daily discomfort and unending cycle of a disease which has no off switch. Bringing the mind, body and breath into a continuum on a daily basis allows a welcome and necessary respite. What remains is peace, silence, pure awareness. These words describe that which cannot be described but pervade every living thing whether we realise it or not.

This is the natural state of any human being regardless of the disease process. A yoga practice reminds you of who you naturally are with or without the disease and that in itself is incredibly healing

References:

The Influence of Yoga-Based Programs on Risk Profiles in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review

Effect of Yoga asanas on nerve conduction in type 2 diabetes

Yoga As Therapy - How Yoga Heals

Diabetes

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