Yoga as an alternative medicine for diabetes

by Kalabhoosan Chelliah Thuraiappah

According to latest research, mice fed on grapefruits had better blood sugar levels. The reduction in blood sugar achieved with grapes fruits was similar to that of the common Type 2 diabetes drug, Metformin. Grapefruits (Red) lowers Total Cholesterol low density lipids (LDL) and Triglycerides levels that cause heart disease in diabetes.

Over 90 percent of diabetics suffer from "insulin - insensitivity" meaning they already have the insulin their bodies need, but they just don't have the ability to use it properly. As a result, their blood sugar levels remain high.

Insulin insensitive diabetes is curable through simple, yet vital lifestyle changes, the most important of which is vigorous exercise or yoga. In addition to vigorous exercise or yoga diabetics should avoid consumption of red meat, refined carbohydrates and should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Since intense exercise can trigger heart attacks, yoga is preferable. Yoga can help manage, reduce and even eliminate diabetic symptoms. Even those who are at a more advanced stage of the disease can find a greater degree of comfort and physical function.

Yoga for type 2 diabetes

Yoga is useful supplement to conventional therapy for type 2 diabetes, helping to bring the body into balance. Many studies have reported the beneficial effect of the practice of yoga on diabetes, confirming that the practice of poses (asanas) can stimulate the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. Any pose that compresses the abdomen will help stimulate the pancreas, with prone (belly down) poses being the most effective. Yoga has also been proven helpful for weight management, blood sugar control, relieve stress, as well as lowering of the dosage of diabetic medications.

A number of studies have revealed that yoga can reduce contributing factors and helps patients cope with diabetic symptoms. Yoga provides unique benefits that can effectively restore the body to a state of natural health and proper function. In addition to yoga poses that directly stimulate the pancreas and aid insulin production, provide reduced blood sugar levels and help relieve, the main symptoms of diabetes: hypoglycemia, also reduce LDL and triclyceride levels that cause, heart attack in diabetes patients. Yoga can relieve daily stresses that often lie at the heart of diabetic symptoms. Stress causes high blood pressure, high cholesterol and leading to "emotional eating" which in turn leads to obesity. All these play key role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

Several studies have identified some specific Yoga poses for control of diabetes: Bow, Half Seated Twist, Seated Forward Fold, and Plow. Any pose that compresses the abdomen will help stimulate the pancreas. As a result, the pancreatic cells, buffeted by nutrients and fresh blood flow undergo rejuvenation that improves the organ's ability to produce insulin. Prone (belly down) poses are the most effective.

Poses (Asanas)

Poses are beneficial in treatment of diabetes. Important aspect of poses is stability and comfort experienced in the position. After attaining the position, one needs to relax all the muscles and try to maintain the position for long.

Due to various twists, stretches and strains in the body, the internal organs are stretched and subjected to strain. This increases the blood supply, oxygen supply to the organs increasing the efficiency and functioning of the organs. Stretching various glands results in increased efficiency of the endocrine system. Poses such as Dhanurasana (Bow pose in prone position), Ardhamatsyendrasana (Half spinal twist), Vajrasana, Yoga Mudra, Pavan Muktasana, Sarvangasana (Cobra), Halasana (Plough), Matsyasana (fish) have been found useful in diabetes. These poses have positive effect on pancreas and also insulin functioning.

But to get this result, one needs to maintain the poses for longer duration while relaxing the muscles.

Sun salutation (Surya Namaskar)

Sun Salutation is very good exercise for people suffering from diabetes. It increases the blood supply to various parts of body, improving insulin administration in the body. It gives all the benefits of exercise if practiced at four rounds per minute. If practiced at slow speed, it offers only the benefits of poses (Asanas).

Breathing exercises (Pranayama)

There are eight types of Pranayama mentioned in Hatha Yoga. One of the basic preparations for Pranayama is Nadi Shodhan Pranayama or alternate nostril breathing.

This type is found useful in diabetes as alternate nostril breathing has calming effect on nervous system, which reduces stress levels, helping in diabetes treatment.

Also, research has shown that Bhramari and BhasrikaPranayama help in diabetes. Bharamari has a calming effect on the mind, brain and nervous system. Bhasrika Pranayama is a revitalising Pranayama, which increases oxygen levels and reduces carbon dioxide levels in the blood. In Bhasrika Pranayama, the abdominal muscles and diaphragm are used which puts pressure on the internal organs. But, before practicing these Pranayama, one must learn and practice deep breathing, fast breathing, alternate nostril breathing and Bandhas (Jalandhar bandha or chin lock, Moola bandha and Uddiyan bandha or abdominal lock) from an expert Yoga Guru.

Meditation

The practice of meditation is especially useful in management of stress. Relaxed and concentrated state of mind is the aim of any form of meditation which creates calming effect on the nervous system, brings balance between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems. Initially meditation may be difficult, and one can practice Omkar Chanting (Omkar Mantra), concentration on breathing. Especially for diabetes, concentration on pancreas during the meditation practice has shown positive effects on sugar levels.

One can even visualise the proper functioning of pancreas, proper insulin administration in the body can help in treatment of diabetes.

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra is a very important process of deep relaxation. It helps alleviate the stress and has very good positive effects on the entire body - mind complex.

Researchers have found that type 2 diabetes patients who resort to herbs and yoga experienced many positive benefits.

They had lower blood sugar levels, better eating habits. Yoga improved moods and a stronger sense of control over their condition compared to patients receiving conventional care.

Herbs and yoga have become very popular as Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) in many western countries including Europe, and America.

The authorities concerned should seriously consider introduction of yoga as a subject in Sri Lankan schools too.

The writer is a Consultant Yoga Therapist