The Ayurveda Solution to Type 2 Diabetes

Chapter 1 of The Ayurveda Solution to Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinically Proven Program to Balance Blood Sugar in 12 Weeks by Jackie Christensen Ph.D. and Pat Crocker Ayurveda:  What it is and what it can do for you Type 2 diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes represents one of the most significant public health challenges in the 21st century. Experts project that by 2035 this preventable healthcare burden will affect 592 million people. But there’s hope! These predictions are not predetermined and health professionals across the world are working hard to identify root causes for type 2 diabetes. A natural system of medicine, Ayurveda, was founded in India over 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge.  Ayurveda translations to knowledge of life. Ayurveda provides many solutions to the type 2 diabetes riddle. Ayurveda shines light on the various factors that cause this disease, as well as dietary guidelines, lifestyle choices, and other unique therapies to combat the disease naturally and without prescription medicines. The Ayurvedic approach to treating type 2 diabetes complex and multifaceted. It includes the disease process, strength of digestion, the presence of toxins, actions of the doshas--(energetic forces, I'll explain this later), current state of the body, as well as your constitution. All these factors play an essential role in the development of T2D. Ayurveda views T2D as a metabolic disorder. Not one disease, but a syndrome with many interrelated imbalances and disorders. T2D is a multifaceted disease that is unique to each individual and deserves a personalized approach to prevent and reverse T2D. Ayurveda focuses on the importance of a patient-centered approach. We are all unique in our mind-body type and Ayurveda focuses on the individuality of the person and nuances of the imbalance. There is not a one size fits all approach to T2D and Ayurveda is unbeatable when it comes to custom tailoring health care programs to get maximum results. T2D is a modern lifestyle disease caused by harmful daily habits and routines. The good news is that according to numerous studies, 80–90% of all cases of T2D can be prevented through making lifestyle changes, cleaning up the diet, reducing sedentary time and increasing exercise. In this book, I’m going to show you exactly how to make simple, long-lasting changes to improve your life. This approach will not only prevent T2D but it can also reverse T2D. The foods and herbs recommended in the Ayurveda diet for T2D work to balance blood glucose, optimize digestion, and reduce the buildup of toxic internal waste. By rediscovering traditional foods, we can reduce our dependency on overly hybridized, genetically modified, chemically-laden foods. And through the introduction of Ayurvedic foods into the Western diet, we can reduce the gap between food and herbal medicine. In addition to diet and lifestyle, Ayurveda includes detoxification-- an in-depth purification program that plays a pivotal role in Ayurveda's preventive and curative power for T2D. This 12-week program includes diet and lifestyle adjustments as well as home detoxification, so you can experience the depth of this nourishing science of life we call-- Ayurveda. Throughout this program, you will discover your true nature and transform your lifestyle to one that is beneficial and healing for your mind/body type. Personalized medicine is a new concept for modern healthcare. Still, it is well-established in the tradition of Ayurveda. Ayurveda recognizes that each person has a unique makeup. Just as we are all genetically unique, so are we within our Ayurvedic mind-body type. Ayurveda describes three dynamic pathophysiological forces or doshas, which control the functions of the mind and body. These three energetic forces are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When they are in balance, we feel good. However, when they are out of balance, they disrupt the functions of the body. Modern medicine emphasizes the structure of the body. Ayurveda, on the other hand, focuses on the energies behind that structure--the doshas. Doshas are the underlying energy within the mind and body that initiates the actions of the organs and internal parts of the body. There is not one dosha that is better than the rest and we need all three for the human mind and body to operate. What makes us unique is the amounts of the doshas in our constitution. Vata, Pitta and Kapha make up our unique mind-body type. Every individual has varying amounts of the three doshas. Each one of us has a spectrum of Vata, Pitta and Kapha that create our unique and individual qualities. It is the doshas give us our individual traits and features. Each dosha has qualities that it displays in the body and mind. Dryness for example is a vata quality. Someone who has Vata as their predominate dosha may have more issues related to dryness, such as dry skin or hair, dry cracking joints. Heat is a Pitta quality therefore someone who is predominately Pitta may have more issues related to heat. Heaviness is a quality related to Kapha, so someone who is predominately Kapha may feel heavier than a Vata or Pitta person. We all have unique characteristics which are determined by the amount and the qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha within our constitution. Outside the body, doshas connect us to our environment. Ayurveda believes that we are a microcosm within a macrocosm. What exists in the external world exists within each of us. The seasons, time of day and stage of life are all affected by the doshas. In the fall when it’s dry and windy, Vata will naturally increase in the body. In the summer when its warm and the sun is closer, Pitta increases. In the spring when it’s damp, Kapha will increase. Ayurveda conceptualizes that there are five elements within the universe: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These elements form everything in nature, as well as within us. Vata:  The Dosha of Movement The Vata dosha contains the elements of air and ether. These are the lightest elements. Therefore, they impart a light, breezy quality on Vata. Vata moves like the wind, consistently changing and shifting things around. Just as the wind can cause the environment to become dry, rough, cold, and hard. Vata within the body causes dryness, roughness, and feeling cold. A person in whom Vata dominates will usually be tall or short, and thin as a child. A Vata person may have prominent bones and dry joints that crack as they move. They usually have narrow shoulders and hips. Vatas have cool, thin, rough, dry skin, with a tendency to tan or have darker skin, prominent veins. Vatas tend to be cold and suffer from poor circulation in the extremities. They have curly, kinky, coarse, dry hair that’s dark brown or black. Their teeth are usually large, crooked and protrude. Eyes are small and unsteady. They are hyperactive, but exhaust easily with a restless mind, with extreme moods of hope and fear, fulfillment and insecurity. They are erratic, therefore unpredictable and their faith changes easily. Their short-term memory is good, but they have difficulty recalling the past. When they remember their dreams, they are usually full of action, running, jumping and flying, or an intense nightmare full of fear. They are light sleepers with interrupted sleep patterns. Vatas are sensitive people and have a lower tolerance for pain and loud noise. They generally spend money impulsively and do not do well with their finances. They walk a lot, talk a lot and complain a lot. They are very intuitive, imaginative, and artistic. They are good at writing poems, creating art or dancing. The Vata person has a mind that is very busy like a bee. They are born worriers and worry about anything and everything. Vatas are good at playing the “what if???” game. All this worrying leaves them feeling anxious and nervous. Many times they are stressed out over things that never happen, so they don’t enjoy the present moment. Understanding the Vata Person Elemental Biophysical Composition:  Air & Ether Qualities:  Dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile Signs of Aggravation Dry: skin, hair, eyes, ears, lips, joints, stools, bloating, gas, and dehydration Light: restless mind, ungrounded, dizziness, thinness, weight loss Cold: cold body, poor circulation, constriction, tightness, pain Rough: breaking of the skin, varicose veins Subtle: tremors, twitching, fear, anxiety, insecurity Mobile: Racing mind, restlessness, chatter, fidgeting, obsessive compulsive, bipolar, manic depressive, muscle twitching, palpitations Causes of Aggravation Eating too many dry, bitter, pungent astringent, light, cold, stale or processed foods. Drinking cold drinks or foods Recreational drugs Exposure to wind, cold, or too much darkness Listening to loud music, bright light, too much T.V. or time or the computer Erratic work schedule of lifestyle Fasting and incorrect dieting Interrupted sleep or not sleeping enough Excessive exercise, running, staying up late, holding natural urges Stress, fear, anxiety, insecurity, worry Overindulgence in sex Vata is responsible for movement and communication as it carries messages throughout the body. Vata controls for the downward flow of energy in the pelvis, accountable for elimination, urination, menstruation, and childbirth. When vata increases in the pelvis, it causes frequent urination-- a classic symptom of T2D. Vata is the current that carries blood and nervous impulses. When vata becomes disrupted in the nervous system, it can cause numbness in the legs and feet, and disturbances in blood flow and digestion. Vata is the upward and outward action responsible for exhaling, coughing, and speaking. Vata controls the movement of food through the digestive system and the inhalation of the breath. Vata's airy and mobile qualities can make a person feel anxious and nervous which can cause a person to overeat to help ground themselves. Overindulgence in food is commonly found in T2D, indicating that it could be due to a vata imbalance. At the cellular level, vata regulates the action of molecules, nutrients, and wastes. When vata is in balance, we feel creative, energetic, and full of life. But when vata is out of balance, it can cause many of the classic T2D signs and symptoms. Pitta: The Dosha of Metabolism The fire and water elements combine to form the pitta dosha. This dosha is engaged in the process of transformation, metabolism, and nutrient assimilation. The pitta dosha controls digestion and biochemical processes in the body. The pitta dosha is the only dosha that contains the fire element. Therefore, pitta is primarily associated with heat. A person in whom pitta predominates will have a medium build, height, and bone structure. Their skin is generally soft, oily, and warm to the touch with a reddish or yellowish hue. Pittas have fair complexions and burn easily. Pittas naturally sweat because they have a lot of internal heat. Their hair is soft and oily; usually reddish or blonde with a tendency to bald and gray early because they are hot headed. They have moderate sized, yellowish teeth with soft gums that bleed easily. Sharpness in the main pitta personality trait and physical feature; they have sharp noses, eyes, chins and unfortunately a sharp tongue as well. Their eyes are light blue, green or hazel, with a sharp, penetrating gaze. Pitta people are good speakers and get to the point of the conversation. Pittas have strong, sharp, appetites and need large meals to feel satiated, but do not like to snack. Because of their strong appetite they become extremely irritable when hungry. They have frequent bowel movements with soft, oily, loose, discharges and must evacuate immediately when they feel the urge. They are moderately active, but intensely competitive. They can be overly aggressive or assertive, highly intelligent and organized. They become teachers, doctors, lawyers and politicians. They are good speakers but can be callous and are easily irritated. They can become violent when jealous. They know how to save, but usually purchase luxuries that make a statement about their position in life to enhance their ego. The pitta mind is like a bull and once it is set it is difficult to change. Many times, pitta people are witty, however when they are out of balance they tend to be opinionated, critical, irritable and can anger easily when they are out of balance and tend to get mad when things don’t go their way. Understanding the Pitta Person Elemental Biophysical Composition:  Fire and water      Qualities:  oily, sharp, hot, light, mobile, liquid, acidic smell Signs of Aggravation Oily:  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, oily skin, skin blisters Sharp:  Gastritis, ulcers, acid reflux, heartburn, irritability, anger, sharp pain, sharp headaches Hot:  Fevers, infections, inflammations, excessive perspiration, red eyes, desire for cold drinks, thirst, hyperacidity, insomnia Light:  Dizziness, sensitivity to heat and light, ringing in the ears Acidic: Acidic smell to sweat and urine, yellow hue to the skin Liquid:  Excessive perspiration, thirst, or urination Causes of Aggravation Summer Eating very sour, salty, or pungent foods, too much yogurt, sour juices, junk food, alcohol, smoking, or excessive drugs Outdoor activities in the sun, overexposure to the sun Anger, irritability, intellectual stimulation, competition The inflammatory condition associated with T2D is a pitta imbalance. Decades ago, researchers identified higher levels of inflammation in people with T2D. Pitta creates these inflammatory chemicals, which are often higher in people with T2D compared to people without T2D. Pitta's fire is responsible for breaking down and metabolizing food. Pitta is engaged in hormone production, metabolism, and glucose uptake. Insulin is a pitta hormone. Insulin has many actions, but mainly it controls how the body uses carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are in most grains, flours, sugar, and starchy vegetables. The body breaks grains down into a type of sugar called glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy used by the body. Insulin acts as a helper for glucose and escorts glucose into muscle cells for energy. Insulin also brings glucose into the liver, where it is stored and used during times of fatigue. Without insulin, cells are unable to use glucose from carbohydrates. Therefore, if pitta is not functioning correctly, insulin will not be able to do its job, and blood glucose levels remain high. The liver is a pitta organ, and it has a special job when it comes to glucose. When blood glucose levels are high, the liver responds to the hormone insulin and absorbs glucose. The liver is like a warehouse for glucose and releases stored glucose when the body needs it. When the liver is healthy, it can make glucose. Glucose storage is a critical function that keeps people alive when food is scarce. In people with T2D, however, pitta may cause dysfunction, causing the liver to abnormally process and produce glucose. This malfunction contributes to blood glucose issues. Pitta is responsible for the metabolic conversions in the liver and digestive system that our bodies use to create energy from carbohydrates. Pitta is also responsible for emotional digestion and helps us process thoughts. When pitta is in balance, it provides power, creates luster in the skin, and maintains body temperature. However, when pitta is out of balance, it can produce inflammation, poor liver functioning, decreased insulin production, and weak digestion of carbohydrates. Kapha:  The Dosha of Structure Kapha is the third member of the tridosha and is composed of the water and earth elements. The earth element makes kapha the heaviest of the doshas. And the water element provides dampness and lubrication. Kapha is responsible for growth, structure and protection. Kapha governs the cerebral-spinal fluid which offers protection for the brain and spinal column. The mucosal lining of the stomach is another kapha protecting the tissue. A person in whom Kapha dominates is large, thick, big boned and strong. Their features are rounded, round face, big eyes, round nose, with an overall sweetness. Kaphas are average height with a tendency to be overweight and can gain weight by just thinking of food! Their skin is thick, smooth, oily, and cool, with a tendency to be pale. Their hair is thick and healthy. They seldom get a cavity and have beautiful even, white teeth. Their eyes are large and well-formed with ample whites and deep blue irises, decorated with thick, long lashes. Kaphas prefer to remain physically inactive. However, they are healthiest when they exercise and do not overeat. They rarely drink liquids and have one large bowel movement daily. Kapha people in general are slow, steady and reliable. To understand concepts they must study repeatedly, but once they comprehend and memorize information they never forget it. They are extremely compassionate, forgiving, loving, and patient and make good nurses, social workers, and clergy members. They have a deep, steady faith and highly developed spiritual feelings. Kaphas are good with money, but they know how to conserve to an extreme and can become overly greedy and attached. They sleep deep and long, dreaming of romantic settings. They speak slowly in a monotonous voice. Kapha people are loving, nurturing, caring and play the role of the peacemaker. Kapha-type personalities like to rely on others and follow others lead. The kapha mind tends to live in the past. Kapha people get attached and have a hard time letting go. Understanding the Kapha Person Elemental Biophysical Composition:  Water and Earth Kapha’s Responsibilities: Supports the body Maintains body lubrication Lubricates the joints Develops and strengthens the tissues Gives stamina Creates forgiveness, love, compassion, calmness, happiness and contentment Qualities:  Moist, cold, heavy, soft, sticky, dull, static, cloudy, slow Signs of aggravation: Moist:  Clammy skin, mucus Cold:  cold body, coughs, colds, congestion, sinus congestion Heavy:  heaviness, obesity, lethargy, weak digestion, Candida, food allergies Static:  laziness, lethargy Soft:  white-coated tongue, soft frame Liquid:  swelling of the joints, water retention Causes of Aggravation: Rainy weather in late winter and early spring Eating too much sweet sour or salty food, junk food, candy, ice-cream, deserts, donuts, oily fried foods, red meat, excessive milk and cheese Excessive eating and drinking Excessive sleep Lack of physical activity Kapha is responsible for growth, stability, structure, cohesion, and protection. The kapha dosha forms and maintains body mass, shape, and flexibility in the joints. At the cellular level, kapha engages in the process of converting food into body mass Most experts perceive kapha as the primary dosha responsible for T2D. When there is excess kapha in the body, it contributes to body mass. Kapha governs the physical structure of our body and can manifest in weight gain, lethargy, and resistance to change. Ayurveda identifies many kapha behaviors and foods as causative factors in the development of T2D. Once the kapha dosha is out of balance, it can affect vata and pitta. Fat is a kapha tissue but produces the pitta hormones that contribute to the inflammation associated with T2D. As you can see, we need all the doshas to be in balance to maintain healthy physiological functions. If vata, pitta or kapha are awry, it can create a complicated web of symptoms. Unique to every individual, T2D is complex and multifaceted, involving many different body systems and organs. The doshas are the underlying energy that cause the body to disfunction. Therefore, it is imperative to address the doshas to correct the imbalance. According to Ayurveda, there are certain lifestyle behaviors and foods that cause the doshas to malfunction and initiate the disease process.  Through the Ayurvedic lens, we investigate one's daily routine and dietary habits to discover the root causes for T2D. The focus within the Ayurvedic tradition to maintain a harmonic constitutional balance for each person. When vata, pitta or kapha become deficient or accumulated, Ayurveda recognizes specific lifestyle, nutritional, and herbal guidelines to assist the individual in equalizing their constitution. What makes us unique is that we all embrace distinct proportions and qualities of the vata, pitta, and kapha combination. Your Constitution One's mind-body type or constitution is a unique combination of the doshas at conception. A person's constitution determines their individuality and is akin to one's genotype. Studies have show that there is a significant correlation between an individual’s constitution and genetic metabolism. A person's constitution may include any combination of the doshas, resulting in the unique qualities and defining characteristics.   The ratio of the doshas varies within each person, and Ayurveda acknowledges that these unique combinations are makeup our diversity. Most individuals have a dual-type constitution and have multiple dominant dosha characteristics. Under certain conditions, one dosha will dominate, and in other circumstances, the other dosha prevails. The dosha or doshas that are out of balance will determine the type of T2D a person is experiencing. The focus within the Ayurvedic tradition is to reestablish the doshas and bring the person back to their true nature. One's constitution is constant, meaning we have the same constitution for our entire life. However, one's doshas are in dynamic fluctuation. Age, diet, lifestyle, seasons, and circadian rhythms can all cause the doshas to increase and decrease, resulting in a present state that has deviated from one's true nature or constitution with which they were born. The optimal function of each dosha is essential for good health. Imbalances or disturbances between doshas constitute a significant amount of diseases. Ayurvedic doctors look for clinical signs and symptoms to determine what dosha is out of balance, then make a diagnosis and provide a treatment plan. Two individuals with the same disease may receive very different therapeutic approaches. The constitution, imbalance, and nuances of disease development are specific to that person and deserve a treatment plan that is exclusive to that person. While it is essential to know one's constitution, it is equally important, if not more, to know one's current state or when we are out of balance. Life is a balancing act. The sooner we can detect when we are out of balance, the easier it will be to bring yourself back into balance. Life is dynamic, always changing. That is why it is essential to check-in with yourself so that you can bring yourself back into equilibrium. Each meal and every day provide a new opportunity to either follow your body's natural cues towards wellbeing or ignore the signs and symptoms and fall further out of balance. When a person is out of balance, the dosha will determine the type and nature of the disease. For example, nervous disorders are an imbalance of vata dosha. Inflammation and conditions associated with heat are an imbalance of pitta dosha Obesity and disorders related to overindulgence are an imbalance of the kapha dosha A specific illness manifests when the dosha accumulate or become deficient and cause harm to the tissues in the body. Conversely, external factors can also trigger the abnormality of the doshas and weaken the body.