Understanding Ayurveda amidst Modern Day Therapies

It all started five thousand years back whence Vedic civilization was flourishing. Hinduism was the backbone. It is an ideology with a propensity for vegetarianism which albeit it surfaced much later but I believe it had taken roots by then. Today almost 30% of Indians are vegetarian. Another feather in the cap was the development of another wellness therapy and that was Yoga. 

The two gems of Indian healing systems are very much popular today in India as well as overseas. Most of the proponents of Yoga have been initiated in the Vedic Era or earlier perhaps. The guru shishya tradition has been instrumental in exporting the wellness system to many countries. The sages left no stone unturned to discover the holistic healing sciences. Although considered as an alternative or pseudoscientific term according to some Western prejudiced practitioners and scientists.     

Ayurveda is in existence since its inception and the system is growing. New scientific logic is being applied to the system now subject to research and the quest for evidence as in the case of modern medicine. The sheer magnitude of consumption in the country of origin, and the growing popularity overseas should make habitual detractors of this ancient Indian medical science think. 

Ayurveda is close to nature since Hindu or Santam Dharma is nature-centric. A majority of formulations comprise vegetative matter, and the animal matter used is derived from creatures not subject to killing. The use of ghee or clarified butter and honey is one such example. 

The use of minerals and some metals are a cause of concern as rightly pointed out by scientists and modern medicine practitioners Some of them are toxic in large quantities. Hence all pharmaceutical concerns should create a standard for this usage that is suggestive of medicinal value. 

Ayurveda practitioners are registered practitioners with degrees from colleges and universities. They are familiar with modern medicines. Many of the pharma companies that make Ayurvedic medicines are global or National concerns that will follow standards. 

The formulations are available as tablets, powders, and liquids. Most of the popular formulations are consumed in India and abroad by the masses. Although the medicine comprises a complex mix of ingredients - herbs, roots, and minerals they are all mentioned in quantity in branded formulations.  

This Indian healing system also prescribes diet regimen, exercise, and in some instances abstinence which means it advocates lifestyle changes necessary to deal with an anomaly in the system.  Thus, it may still be not evidence-based but the lifestyle changes augur wellness, and the ingredients from the medicinal plants have beneficial properties many of which have been studied although more needs to be done to quantify. 

The system lays more emphasis on lifestyle and consuming elements in harmony with nature. Many natural remedies like Isabgol or psyllium husk, ashwagandha, shilajit, sankphuspi, and Brahmi have become popular and are used by the masses. There are more herbal ingredients on the list may be in thousands. 

India is biodiversity-rich and more herbs with medicinal properties would be discovered in time to come. Around 7000 herbs have already been classified. 

**Never consume the medicine without the advice of a doctor

**Do not stop modern medicine treatments suggested by your doctor

**Consult doctor at every step. 

Be safe and healthy! 

Diabetic News

Diabetes if not debilitating directly can have damaging implications if not treated properly. The disease makes itself conspicuous by the presence of sugar in the bloodstream beyond the acceptable level. This occurs due to the inability of the pancreas to make insulin in the required amount or the inability to process sugar in the blood. 

Most medicine work by controlling the release of sugar from the liver. The medicine also assists in the production of insulin as well as in the processing. Although the malady strikes at any age these days some lifestyle factors are responsible as well. In many instances, the malady is hereditary and passed on from parents to children.   

Apart from medicine, an ideal method of limiting the sugar in the body is to exercise control through diet and a physical regimen like a daily brisk walk. For those suffering from this ailment, the food should comprise of vegetables, meats, and fruits with a low glycemic index. By all means, sugar, foods with a high glycemic index, and carbohydrates should be avoided or limited.

The incidence of diabetes in India is rising strikingly may be due to genetic predisposition or some lifestyle factors. But the disease is widely prevalent in the developed World and on the rise.   

The inability to control blood sugar can manifest in consequences that could lead to kidney damage, stress on the circulatory system as well as damage to the retina leading to blindness. Compounded by other lifestyle disorders diabetes can be deadly.    

There is a general evolution in the treatment of the disease and newer drugs are being discovered. Two drugs target the protein receptor PPARgamma and activate it to control blood sugar.  

New Diabetes Treatment Read On. 

Diabetes A Bane or A Boon

Diabetes: The Pancreas are not able to make enough insulin or  sugar is not processed properly and the cell starve for energy.

It was a shocking discovery whence I went in for tests before my cataract operation. Though the probability was high since the malady runs in the family I thought I had skipped it. Whence the symptoms arrived it was unnerving. I was suffering from excessive thirst, excessive hunger and felt tired all the time. 

The quick loss of weight was a bit surprise, but I was attributing it to regular exercise at the gym and much demanding tiger safaris.

Eventually the test did confirm that I was suffering from Diabetes Type 2. I had hyperglycemia with sugar level more than 400 mg/dl. My friend a doctor and himself a diabetic advised me regular exercise. Well if the sugar level is higher than 250 mg/dl it is not advisable to exercise, since the liver releases glycogen and hence the level may rise further. 

The medicine took a number of days to bring the level down to normal. This was then followed by regular walks ranging from 45 minutes to one hour. The fact that I could control my sugar level by exercising made me do more.  I started playing billiards which added to swift movements and cut in calories. During exercise the cells are able to convert sugar directly into energy without the aid of insulin. But keep in mind, over exertion can be a tiring experience for diabetics hence keep a limit.

With diabetes on board you cannot eat things full of sugar. These are food which you should not be consuming anyway. So I added green vegetables, beans and sprouts in my diet on regular basis. Since Vitamin B 12 is not available in a vegetarian diet, I regularly consume chicken and fish and also tale a supplement.            

High sugar levels mean clogged circulatory system, damage to nerves, feet and to many organs including the retina. So it is imperative to maintain the levels. Choosing what you eat makes the difference. Since I am exercising on regular basis I do consume carbohydrates often but avoid items containing direct sugar like sweets and colas. Fruits though source of sugar are rich in all things healthy hence I eat them regularly but in limit. I also consume green tea often for the oxidant rich contents and taste.

   

I have also cut down to alcohol since it is full of calories. During and before drinks diabetics should eat well since alcohol shuts down liver and prevent necessary sugar absorption which may result in hypoglycemia following the consumption. In order to avoid nerve damage one also needs to stay away from other intoxicants including tobacco.   

Apart from all that is stated above one must get good sleep, and work out helps in this as well. But walking is most effective in maintaining sugar level as well as controlling your blood pressure. Hence go for it.  

Overall because of diet control and work outs my health is better than before. So that answers the question.

A digital glucometer is helpful in monitoring blood sugar on regular basis and this is a must. Test for thyroid inefficiency should also be carried out intermittently.

Warning: Diabetics may suffer from low sugar due to medicine, exercise or due to many other reasons hence carry sugar tablets or some sweets with you.

Photos: Courtesy Wagh Bakri Tea 

Alternative medicines

Before the discovery of modern allopathic drugs and surgical procedures man had to rely on nature for cures and preventions. He relied on vegetation that grew around him for treatments. In the later period of man’s history allopathic drugs and modern surgery came into picture. 

Modern medicinal system proved very effective and cured diseases that natural herbs could not. The system proved best for prevention and treatment of much disease like TB which caused many deaths. The time came whence there was total reliance on modern systems. But as time went past the harmful effects or side effects of many drugs began to be known.

In order to counter the side effects of allopathic systems homeopathy was invented by Dr. Heinemann of Germany. Ayurvedic system of medicine was already being practiced in India but the rest of the World knew little about it.

In recent times the cost factor also came into consideration and the effort to discover alternative systems for prevention, treatment and cures intensified. As a result many alternative systems for disease treatment have come into picture. Some with intense research have been accepted by the society.  The benefits of others are being realized as time progresses.

Most notable has been the treatment of heart and blood vessel related diseases. Current procedures for treatment of cardiac diseases are costly, risky and invasive. Alternative heart disease treatments most popular are ACT, non invasive by pass and angio cardiography which again is safe and a non surgical procedure. 

Another good alternate resource is the chelation therapy which removes heavy metals from blood vessels which are the cause of deposits in the blood vessels.
   
Similarly many methods, procedures and drugs are being developed that have less side effects and are safer. In time to come suffering of human society will be reduced. Special thanks should be forwarded to those who are constantly researching – doctors, scientists and amateurs.