Diabetes is gradually becoming a health emergency all over the world affecting people of all ages. Today we see so many teens and kids suffering from diabetes which was unheard of a couple of decades ago. It is also known to cause various health complications over a period of time in people suffering from it. Diabetes can affect eyes health, heart health or cardiovascular system, nervous system, feet, kidneys, and liver gradually.
In Ayurveda, diabetes (often referred to as “Madhumeha”) is connected with and referred to as a urinary abnormality. ‘Madhu’ means sweet and ‘meha’ means urine. It is a metabolic disorder that varies in expression and management throughout different life stages. Ayurvedic approach views diabetes not only as a disorder of blood sugar regulation but as an imbalance in the body’s metabolic processes, often linked to the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), dhatus (tissues), and agni (digestive fire). Here is an Ayurvedic approach to managing diabetes across different life stages:
1. Childhood and Adolescence : This stage is the most important stage as habits formed at this stage lay a foundation of good health and disease management.
- Focus on Balancing Kapha Dosha: Childhood is considered a Kapha-dominant stage, and an excess of Kapha can contribute to weight gain, sluggish metabolism, and insulin resistance. Ayurvedic approaches aim to balance Kapha during growth years of life. It is extremely important to encourage physical activity and a diet that reduces Kapha-promoting foods (sugary, fatty, starchy, processed foods).
- Herbal Support: Herbs like Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) are often recommended for their antioxidant and immune-boosting effects, helping regulate blood sugar levels.
- Dietary Guidance: Ayurveda advises a balanced diet with whole grains, fresh vegetables, and limited refined sugars. Stay away from candies, chocolates, burgers, carbonated sweet drinks as much as possible. Bitter-tasting foods, such as bitter gourd, moringa, neem may be given in small quantities along with jamun fruit. These are encouraged for their Kapha-balancing and blood sugar-regulating properties.
2. Young Adulthood
- Managing Pitta Aggravation: Young adulthood is generally Pitta-dominant, and Pitta imbalances can increase the risk of inflammation and stress-induced blood sugar spikes. Ayurvedic practices focus on Pitta-balancing foods, which are cooling, less oily, and lighter. Stress management is also important at this stage of life.
- Herbs for Blood Sugar and Stress: Adaptogens like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are used to manage stress, which can impact blood sugar levels. Include bitter foods in diet like Bitter gourd or karela, moringa, neem, Gurmar, amla and jamun which are known to support pancreatic health and glucose metabolism.
- Lifestyle Practices: Regular physical activity, yoga, and meditation are recommended to balance both Pitta and Kapha, reduce stress, and support metabolism. Pranayama (breathing exercises) like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) is advised for balancing stress and metabolic function. Panchakarma which consists of five stages for detoxification and balancing doshas is recommended in adulthood.
3. Middle Age
- Balancing Pitta and Kapha: This stage is associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders and excess Kapha accumulation. Ayurveda suggests Kapha-reducing and Pitta-balancing practices, such as reducing heavy, oily, and excessively sweet foods.
- Dietary Adjustments: Incorporating fibre-rich, low-glycemic foods like whole grains, green vegetables, and legumes supports stable blood sugar and Kapha balance. Spices like turmeric, fenugreek, and cumin help boost digestive fire and metabolism.
- Herbs and Therapies: Turmeric, tulsi, Gurmar, giloy, aloe vera, amla and Fenugreek are commonly recommended for their ability to improve insulin sensitivity. Panchakarma therapies, such as Virechana (therapeutic purgation), can be used under supervision to detoxify and balance doshas.
- Lifestyle : Keeping yourself active at this stage is important as age is catching up and hormones are dwindling. Choose a suitable exercise as per your body type, doshas and capacity. Stress management is also very important at multiple responsibilities may cause stress in life. Most people get diabetes at this stage of life. Panchakarma, yoga, pranayama and meditation are highly recommended. Incorporate practices such as meditation and Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oils) to calm the mind and reduce stress-related blood sugar spikes.
4. Elderly Age
- Vata-Pacifying Practices: Old age is Vata-dominant, and Vata imbalances can lead to frailty, weakened digestion, and blood sugar fluctuations. The focus is on grounding, warming, and nourishing practices to balance Vata and support metabolic health.
- Gentle Diet and Digestive Support: Easily digestible foods, such as soups, warm grains, and cooked vegetables, are recommended. Avoiding cold and raw foods helps maintain digestive strength (Agni) and stabilize blood sugar. Herbal teas can also be beneficial at this stage like ginger tea, tulsi tea, giloy tea etc.
- Herbal Adaptogens and Strengtheners: Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and Amalaki are often recommended for their nourishing, rejuvenating effects. Ashwagandha is useful for its anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving benefits, supporting blood sugar stability and overall energy.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Light yoga, walking, and meditation are advised to maintain circulation and balance. Practices like oil massage (Abhyanga) help reduce Vata and support stable blood sugar levels by promoting relaxation and grounding. Panchakarma is avoided at this stage of life as it is taxing on the body.
General Ayurvedic Guidelines Across Life Stages
- Daily Routines (Dinacharya): Ayurvedic approach emphasizes daily routines, including regular sleep and mealtimes, to stabilize blood sugar and balance doshas. Poor lifestyle makes diabetes management difficult at all stages of life. Sleeping very late, irregular eating habits and sedentary lifestyle needs to be addressed and healthy habits must be incorporated from early stages in life.
- Mindful Eating: Eating meals mindfully and in a calm environment enhances digestion and blood sugar control. Eating with distractions numbs our senses and we lose track of portion size and what our body is trying to tell us. It is important to pay attention to hunger and fullness cues while eating.
- Avoiding Sugar and Processed Foods: Across all life stages, Ayurveda advises minimizing refined sugars and processed foods that aggravate Kapha and disrupt metabolic balance. One of the major causes of increased diabetes cases in the world is due to bad food choices. Eat fresh, whole, natural, and seasonal foods only as they easy on system and nutritious. Many chemicals in processed food disrupt our metabolism and cause complications.
- Herbs and spices : Include herbs like turmeric, fenugreek, aloe vera, amla cinnamon and tulsi in regular meals.
Ayurveda’s personalized approach, incorporating diet, herbs, and lifestyle practices, aims to support balanced blood sugar and overall health through every stage of life.