Yoga in the management of Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to make proper utilisation
of glucose, resulting in the condition of hyperglycaemia. Excess glucose in the blood ultimately results
in high levels of glucose being present in the urine (glycosuria). This increase the urine output, which
leads to dehydration and increase thirst. India has the largest diabetic population in the world.
Changes in eating habits, increasing weight and decreased physical activity are major factors leading
to increased incidence of Diabetes. Lifestyle plays an important role in the development of Diabetes.
Yoga offers natural and effective remedies without toxic side-effects, and with benefits that extend far
beyond the physical. This system of Yoga is a simple, natural programme involving five main
principles: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet and positive thinking and
meditation. It is a cost effective lifestyle intervention technique.
Key words: Yoga, Diabetes Mellitus, Diet and life style.

Full text

ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE
Mar-Apr 2017
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Mar - Apr 2017 | Vol. 2 | Issue 2
135
Yoga in the management of Diabetes Mellitus
Sreeharsha N,
1
Bargale Sushant Sukumar,
2
Divyasree C H.
3
1
P.G.Scholar,
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara
College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan,
3
P.G.Scholar, Department of Shareera Kriya. Ashwini Ayurvedic Medical
College and Research Centre,Tumkur, Karnataka, India.
I
NTRODUCTION
Yoga is a system of self-healing. According to the
yogic philosophy, diseases are the result of faulty
ways of living, bad habits lack of proper knowledge of
things related to an individual’s life and improper
food. These factors disturb the equilibrium within the
body. The diseases are thus the resultant state of a
short or prolonged malfunctioning of the body
system.
[1]
Therapeutic Yoga and its importance
Modern medical system has proved itself most
effective in saving man from the fatal contagious and
Address for correspondence:
Dr. Sreeharsha N
Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Swasthavritta and Yoga,
Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and
Hospital, Hassan. (Karnataka)
E-mail: sreeorton@gmail.com
Submission Date : 14/04/2017 Accepted Date: 28/04/2017
Access this article online
Quick Response Code
Website: www.jaims.in
DOI: 10.21760/jaims.v2i2.7716
infectious diseases. However, the rapidly increasing
incidence of stress related ailments is posing a great
challenge to the modern medical system. Yoga is not
just a methodical system which helps man to attain
spiritual growth, but has therapeutic applications
also.
[2]
Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which the primary
problem is the defective utilization of sugar by the
body. Dietary sugars and starch are broken down to
glucose by process of digestion and this glucose is
major fuel for the various processes, organs and cells
of the body. Glucose metabolism is under the control
of the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the
Pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach. When
this gland becomes stressed or exhausted the
hormone insulin becomes deficient in quantity or
sensitivity. As a result, the blood sugar level becomes
high and uncontrolled.
[3]
Excess glucose in the blood ultimately results in high
levels of glucose being present in the urine
(glycosuria). This increase the urine output, which
leads to dehydration and increase thirst.
Types of diabetes mellitus
There are two broad types of diabetes mellitus
A B S T R AC T
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to make proper utilisation
of glucose, resulting in the condition of hyperglycaemia. Excess glucose in the blood ultimately results
in high levels of glucose being present in the urine (glycosuria). This increase the urine output, which
leads to dehydration and increase thirst. India has the largest diabetic population in the world.
Changes in eating habits, increasing weight and decreased physical activity are major factors leading
to increased incidence of Diabetes. Lifestyle plays an important role in the development of Diabetes.
Yoga offers natural and effective remedies without toxic side-effects, and with benefits that extend far
beyond the physical. This system of Yoga is a simple, natural programme involving five main
principles: proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet and positive thinking and
meditation. It is a cost effective lifestyle intervention technique.
Key words: Yoga, Diabetes Mellitus, Diet and life style.

Sreeharsha N et. al. Yoga in the management of Diabetes Mellitus
ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE
Mar-Apr 2017
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Mar - Apr 2017 | Vol. 2 | Issue 2
136
Type I - Insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)
or juvenile onset - In this type diabetes the hormone
insulin is completely or almost completely absent
from the islets of Langerhans and plasma and insulin,
treatment is essential. It is called Insulin dependent
Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) because of compulsory
periodic insulin administration, to control the rise of
blood glucose level. It can occur at any age, though it
most commonly occurs during younger age.
[4]
Type II - Non- insulin dependent Diabetes Mellitus
(NIDDM) or maturity onset - This type of diabetes is
much more common than juvenile onset and most
often occurs in people who are over 40 and over
weight since it occurs in the later stage in life. It is
termed as maturity onset diabetes. In this condition of
diabetes the hormone insulin is often present in
present in plasma at near- normal or even above level
and additional insulin is not required to sustain life
and to maintain normal blood glucose level.
[5]
Patient
with this type of diabetes produces little or excessive
insulin in their Pancreas, it either is not enough for
proper function or is not being produced quickly
enough to influence glucose levels in the blood
effectively. This happens probably due to defects in
molecular machinery that mediates the action of
insulin on its targets cells. That is why this diabetes is
target cells. That is why this diabetes is called non-
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.
[6],[7]
Among Type 1 Diabetic person there is no production
of Insulin and can be controlled with Yoga, Among
Type 2 Diabetic person there is production of Insulin
but it is Lifestyle, Stress related one and can be
effectively treated with Yoga. Daily Yoga practice
provides a suitable management option for the
Prevention and Control of Diabetes.
Yoga
Yoga has an important role to play in the treatment of
Diabetes. Yoga techniques affect body, internal
organs, Endocrine glands, Brain, Mind and other
factors concerning Body - Mind complex. Various
Yoga techniques can be practiced effectively to
reduce the weight and Diabetes achieves a normal
healthy condition of body and mind.
[8]
Asanas or body posture which provide stability and
strength to the body, and many benefits like,
[9]
 Yoga are especially useful to reduce the fats in
various parts, especially forward bending, twisting
and backward bending Asanas help to reduce the
fats near abdomen, hips and other areas.
 Practice of Asanas improves functioning of
internal organs, strengthening Heart, Lungs,
Kidneys, Excretory and Reproductive organs.
 Rejuvenation or Regeneration of cells of Pancreas
due to abdominal stretching during yoga, which
may increases utilization and metabolism of
glucose in peripheral tissues, liver and adipose
tissue.
 These postures can lead to improvement in the
sensitivity of beta cells of pancreas to the glucose
signal and also improvement in Insulin sensitivity
in turn can be due to cumulative effect of
performing the posture.
[10]
Table 1: List of Asanas found in the diabetes
[11]
Asanas Benefits
Paschimottanasana Tones the abdominal pelvic
organs.
Reduces fatty deposits in the
abdomen.
Remove anxiety, anger and
irritability.
Calms the mind. It acts as a
stress reliever.
Padahastasana Useful in the toning of the
abdominal organs. Circulation
of the blood throughout the
body is improved. Once proper
blood circulation, body cells
will be supplied with enough
nutrients and oxygen.
Improved blood circulation will
also help in keeping the
hormone balance.

Sreeharsha N et. al. Yoga in the management of Diabetes Mellitus
ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE
Mar-Apr 2017
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Mar - Apr 2017 | Vol. 2 | Issue 2
137
Ardhamastyendrasa
na
Massages abdominal organs,
Simultaneously stretches the
muscles on one side of back &
abdomen.
Bhujangasana It helps in giving a gentle
massage to the internal organs
and will stimulate the digestive
system to function well. And
useful in treating the
symptoms of stress like
fatigue, headache and
weakness.
Vajrasana Calms the mind and bring
stability in mind.
Savasana It relaxes whole body.
Releases stress, fatigue,
depression and tension.Calms
the mind and improves mental
health.
Suryanamaskara Harmonizes the endocrinal
system helping to remove any
irregularities by directly
massaging the relevant glands
and improving their blood
flow. Imbalance of the
endocrinal system is often
caused by mental tension.
Surya Namaskara can help to
remove or reduce this deeper
cause of hormonal
malfunction, especially if it is
supplemented by other Yoga
practices.
Pranayama
There are 8 types of Pranayama mentioned in Hatha
Yoga. One of the basic preparations for Pranayama is
Nadi Shodhana 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 Bhasrika Pranayama help in diabetes.
Bharamari has calming effect on mind, brain and
nervous system. Bhasrika Pranayama is revitalizing
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 and
alternate nostril breathing.
[12]
Meditation
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 nervous system,
brings balance between Sympathetic and
Parasympathetic nervous systems. Initially meditation
may be difficult, and one can practice Omkara
Chanting, concentration on breathing. Especially for
diabetes, concentration on pancreas during the
meditation practice has shown positive effects on
sugar levels. One can even visualize the proper
functioning of pancreas, proper insulin administration
in the body can help in treatment of Diabetes.
[13],[14]
D
ISCUSSION
Lifestyle plays an important role in the development
of Diabetes. Yoga has an important role to play in the
treatment of Diabetes. Yoga techniques affect body,
internal organs, Endocrineglands, Brain, Mind and
other factors concerning Body-Mind complex. Yoga
offers natural and effective remedies without toxic
side-effects, and with benefits that extend far beyond
the physical. This system of Yoga is a simple, natural
programme involving five main principles; proper
exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper
diet and positive thinking and meditation. It is a cost
effective lifestyle intervention technique. Yoga has
influence over Body, Mind, Soul but medicine acts
upon only target cells. Yoga is Non-Pharmacological
intervention without any adverse drug reactions.
Complete holistic wellbeing will be attained through
Yoga only.

Sreeharsha N et. al. Yoga in the management of Diabetes Mellitus
ISSN: 2456-3110 REVIEW ARTICLE
Mar-Apr 2017
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences | Mar - Apr 2017 | Vol. 2 | Issue 2
138
C
ONCLUSION
Yoga is not just a methodical system which helps man
to attain spiritual growth, but has therapeutic
applications also. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic
metabolic disorder in which the body is unable to
make proper utilization of glucose, resulting in the
condition of hyperglycemia. Among Type 1 Diabetic
person there is no production of Insulin and can be
controlled with Yoga. But Type 2 Diabetes, it is
Lifestyle, Stress related disorder it can be effectively
treated with Yoga.
R
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*******************************
How to cite this article:
Sreeharsha N, Bargale Sushant
Sukumar, Divyasree C H. Yoga in the management of
Diabetes Mellitus. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci
2017;2:135-138.
http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.v2i2.7716
Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None
declared.