AN TRADITIONAL AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACH FOR DIABETES MANAGEMENT

*Dr. Suryanand Giri, Dr. Umapati Vasudev Vyas and Dr. Swati Vyas

ABSTRACT

The holistic disease management principles of Ayurveda, the Indian system of medicine, can play a pivotal role in this context. This narrative review discusses the scope of a trans-disciplinary ‘Ayurveda-Biology’ approach for deepening the holistic understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes as well as designing novel integrative strategies for managing diabetes and restoring whole body glucose homeostasis. Therefore, a holistic and systemic approach is essential for its successful management. We hypothesize an integrative diabetes management strategy, combining holistic principles of diabetes management with its molecular understandings. Diabetes is a multifactorial disease with complex multi-organ-multi-target crosstalk in the body. Currently, the theoretical assumptions framing the diabetes management strategies are reductionist and largely focus on reducing hyperglycemia through targeted molecular drugs. While they effectively reduce hyperglycemia, they are inadequate to address the multifactorial etiopathology, chronicity and systemic complications of diabetes.

Keywords: Ayurveda-Biology, Samhita siddhant, Diabetes management, Integrated Health.