Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can be well managed, and often totally reversed through yoga and a healthy lifestyle.

Many studies have reported the beneficial effect of the practice of yoga on diabetes. 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 who were completely controlled by yogic treatment. All of these studies have emphasized the possible mechanism of the yogic practices as:

Direct influence on pancreatic secretion by rejuvenation of the pancreatic cells, through alternate abdominal contractions and relaxation, during asanas (yogic postures which produce relaxation) and breathing exercises.

Exercise: Standing. Round your back and place your hands just above your bent knees. Inhale thru your nose. Exhale. Hold the breath out and pump your stomach with the breath held out. Inhale when necessary. Exhale. Continue for at least 3 min. Pumping your stomach with the breath held out.

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, and Bow pose, rocking, (as on our Warrior Workout DVD). The most effective were found to be the rocking in Bow Pose, it was concluded that the direct stimulation of the pancreas by this exercise rejuvenated one's capacity to produce insulin, although any exercise is great.

from a clinical study: "The patient must learn to control and his or her diabetes in a holistic manner, at all levels of being: physical, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual, recognizing the effects of stress, emotional imbalance, and dietary and living habits on the disease "condition."

We recommend our Yoga for Beginners & Beyond: Stretch, Strengrthen, Be Stress Free, extending the meditation on that DVD to at least 11 min. - 20 min. per day.

It is important to monitor glucose levels under the supervision of a physician. Omega 3 Fatty acids can be very helpful. Try eating a few raw walnuts every few hours. Chromium picolinate is a good supplement for maintaining blood sugar levels.

Take a brisk walk a least twice a day.

The following postures have been found to be effective in the control and cure of diabetes Bow pose, Cobra Pose, Shoulder stand, Spinal twist, Plow Pose, Wheel Pose, among many others. All of these can be found on our Yoga Beauty Body DVD.

Also, avoid simple sugars such as white sugar, honey, glucose and sweets. and include complex carbohydrates such as oatmeal (great for keep blood sugar levels stable), buckwheat, brown rice and beans. Avoid processed food and eat foods with healthy fiber and nutrients.

Meditation practices have been shown to help the endocrine glands through relaxation of the sympathetic nervous system. Any of the meditations on our DVD's will be very helpful.

More from published synopsis of clinical studies:

"Controlling blood glucose levels and minimizing fluctuations reduces the risks and age of onset of virtually all complications. Diabetes medications prescribed for Type 2 diabetics are not an easy way out. Many studies are beginning to raise serious questions about their effectiveness while revealing how dangerous they can be.

"A recent report on 42 studies published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that the use of Avandia increased the chances of heart attack by 43%! Worse, the risks of death from any cardiovascular cause increased by 64%! Avandaryl, Avandamet, Actos, Metformin, and Duetact also increase the risks of heart failure. A recent study involving Metformin and Avandia had to be stopped early due to the number of deaths, and it wasn’t the only study to end this way.

"Actos, in particular, has another worrisome side effect—sudden significant weight gain. This drug actually increases the number of fat cells begging to be filled! This drug may be a prescription for permanent weight gain and obesity for thousands of people. If that isn’t enough, Actos and Avandia have recently been shown to double the risk of bone fractures in women.

"Potentially fatal lactic acidosis has been a known risk with Metformin since 1994, yet a study published in JAMA found that 25% of the patients who are prescribed Metformin have one or more “absolute contraindications” such as kidney or heart disease, meaning they should not take this drug at all.

"Millions of Americans take these drugs every day, perhaps unaware that the FDA requires them to carry stern “black box” warnings of serious or potentially fatal side effects.
What other choices do you have? Weight loss and exercise are important of course, but there is much more. Most diabetics have significant vitamin and mineral deficiencies that complicate their health issues. Many safe supplements are known to reverse neuropathy, improve insulin sensitivity, and repair cardiovascular damage, for example. Most people are amazed to learn which foods are helpful, and which “dietetic” foods are actually very harmful.

Not all physicians discuss drug associated risks with their patients, and fewer mention the options that holistic health offers."