THE BENEFITS OF YOGA PRACTICE ON DIABETICS

By

Marshall Govindan M.A. and Dr. Emilia Ripoll-Bunn M.D



Modern Medical Research in the West and India
Clinical Research on Yoga practice by Diabetics
Recommendations regarding the practice of Yoga by Diabetics

Diabetes is a devastating medical condition affecting people of all ages, genders, and nationalities. Diabetics have an inability to bring glucose in from the blood to the cells. This abnormality is due to either a decrease in the production of insulin by the pancreas or an insensitivity of the cells to respond to the insulin present.

In either case, the end result is that there is a low level of glucose in the cells and an excess of glucose in the blood stream. It is believed that high glucose levels in the blood lead to vascular damage, resulting in decreased blood flow to all areas of the body. It is this process of diminished blood flow which is responsible for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy (which can cause blindness), neuropathy, kidney failure, urinary difficulties and loss of limbs.

There are two forms of diabetes. Type 1 � known as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes, where almost no insulin is produced � manifests especially in young persons. However, it can also affect the adults under 40 years of age, and occasionally older persons. Very widespread, type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent) there is only reduced production, normally attributed to some degenerative process. It manifests especially in persons older than forty, who are overweight.

Modern Medical Research in the West and India

Clinical research in the west has focused exclusively on diabetes as a physical disorder, and hence the treatments that have been researched have involved stimulating the pancreas through drugs, or by controlling the glucose levels by dietary restrictions, artificial insulin, and more recently, by physical exercise.

Clinical research in India, by contrast, has recognised that diabetes is a psychosomatic disorder, in which the causative factors are sedentary habits, physical, emotional and mental stress and strain. It has studied the beneficial effects of the practice of Yoga, which is much more than a physical exercise. Yoga addresses the whole person, considering not only their physical needs, but emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual needs as well, through gentle movements, relaxation, breathing, lifestyle attitudes and meditation.

Clinical Research on Yoga practice by Diabetics

Many studies have reported the beneficial effect of the practice of Yoga on diabetics. Some studies have mentioned up to 65 percent beneficial effect of Yogic therapy for diabetes. K.N. Udupa has even mentioned 5 cases of juvenile diabetes that were completely controlled by Yogic treatment.

All of these studies have emphasised the possible mechanism of the Yogic practices as:

1. Direct influence on pancreatic secretion by rejuvenation of the pancreatic cells, through alternate abdominal contractions and relaxation during Yogic postures (asanas) and breathing exercises.
   
   
2. Reduction in blood sugar due to muscular exercise involved in the asanas.

S.A.A. Ramaiah's study conducted in Washington, D.C. compared the effects of walking, treadmill, static cycling, Posterior stretch pose (Paschimottanasana) and Bow pose (Dhanurasana). The most effective were found to be the latter. It was concluded that the direct stimulation of the pancreas by the postures rejuvenated its capacity to produce insulin.

Several studies have focused upon why the practice of Yoga has been more successful than other forms of exercise. M.V. Bhole and K.N. Udupa have measured the effects of Yoga on mental stresses. Muhammad has shown the differences between physical exercises and Yoga. He has reported how doing the Yogic practices without exertion has more benefits.

The mechanism of Yogic practices and other exercises is very different. Yogic practices are supposed to change one's attitude towards the situations of life, by developing mental relaxation and balance.

One study focused on the practice of the postures in a slow, smooth and non-exerting manner. The postures were maintained comfortably and easily for a length of time and the patients were taught to focus on breathing or on some infinitely vast object like the sky or the ocean while doing the Yoga posture. Two thirds of the patients were significantly benefited by this treatment. The others also showed improvement.

A number of institutions in India offer treatment programs for diabetes. Participants generally stay for between two to five weeks, and follow a program of instruction and practice of Yogasanas for at least an hour in the morning and the evening, dietary control, meditation and breathing exercises. They generally become subjects in on going research projects.

Recommendations regarding the practice of Yoga by Diabetics

1. The patient must learn to control his or her self of diabetes in a holistic manner, at all levels of his/her being: physical, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual, recognising the effects of stress, emotional imbalance, and dietary and living habits on the disease condition.
   
   
2. Before beginning a program, measure one's exercise tolerance. Start with simple movements and positions before progressing gradually to complicated postures.
   
   
3. Throughout the program, monitor glucose levels under the supervision of a physician, and take appropriate medicinal dosages as and when required. After several weeks one may be able to reduce such dosages.
   
   
4. Practice in the morning and the evening for 40 to 60 minutes the recommended series of postures according to one's capacity. Practice before meals, but after consuming glucid liquids.
   
   
5. Avoid exertion, that is, heavy muscular activity. Perform the movements slowly and smoothly, stretching the limbs and joints, and gently compressing the abdomen, without straining. Maintain the postures for a comfortable length of time. The maintenance period of postures should be increased gradually depending upon the posture and capacity of the patient.
   
   
6. Focus on the breath during the maintenance period of the posture with the eyes closed or focus on one point, as a means of learning to focus the mind and to manage stress and tension in the body.
   
   
7. Perform the Corpse pose (Savasana) systematically, relaxing all parts of the body, at the end of the session, or after completing several postures, if one begins to feel fatigued.
   
   
8. The following postures have been found to be effective in the control and cure of diabetes: Bow pose (Dhanurasana), Posterior stretch pose (Paschimottanasana), Serpent pose or Cobra pose (Bhujangasana) Shoulder stand (Sarvangasana), Spinal twist (Ardha-matsyendrasana), Plough pose (Halasana), Yogic symbol pose (Yoga mudra), Sitting pose of Firmness or Adamantine pose (Supta Vajrasana), Wheel pose (Chakrasana), Grasshopper pose or Locust pose (Shalabhasana).
   
   
9. The practice of Uddiyana bandha or the abdominal squeeze has also been found to be useful.
   
   
10. Regulate the diet throughout the program. Avoid simple sugars such as white sugar, honey, glucose and sweets, and eat complex carbohydrates such as wheat, oatmeal, buckwheat, corn, brown rice and beans. Avoid processed food and eat foods with lots of fibre and nutrients.
    
    
11. Obese patients can start with different asanas, cleansing processes, Bellows breathing (Bhastrika Pranayama) and relaxation. Lean and thin patients should start with relaxation and breathing exercises (Pranayama), and practice in a relaxed manner.
    
    
12. Meditation practices have been shown to help the endocrine glands through relaxation of the sympathetic nervous system.
    
    

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