This case study is of a Diabetic person who works as an IT software engineer in Bangalore. Yoga Therapy Workshop was organized for 3 weeks (15 working days) in IT Company. The person showed interest in implementing the yoga therapy protocol for a longer duration to control her Diabetes. Her sense of well-being improved within one week of following the protocol which included Asanas, Meditation, Pranayam and Home Remedies such as Amla juice with Turmeric. She practiced yoga regularly and consumed 2 tablespoons of Amla Juice with 1 gram of Turmeric on an empty stomach for 90 consecutive days. She was not on any medication since she was diagnosed as a diabetic. Yoga has shown significant improvement in reversing the patient’s diabetes condition and returning her blood sugar levels to normal range.
According to the International Diabetes Federation in 2019 (
The patient was a 35-year-old female who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus in December 2018 during a routine health check at the age of 34. She has been working in a 24 × 7 shift based (morning, evening and night) sedentary job from 2013 to 2018. Her diet primarily consisted of fast food. She is a known case of Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) which has caused irregularity in her monthly menstrual cycle. The patient also claims to feel “emotionally weak and depressed”
Invitation was sent to employees for registering to yoga therapy workshop for 3 weeks (15 working Days). The patient underwent initial 3 weeks (5 days/week) of therapy program (70 minutes intervention each day) which was followed for 3 more months (90 days). As per the ethical process, patient written consent was taken. The yoga protocol followed by the patient included warm up sessions, 10–12 rounds of Surya Namaskara, Yoga asanas followed by Yoga nidra and Pranayama.
Also, the patients was advised to consume 2 table spoon of Amla juice with 1 gram of turmeric empty stomach before breakfast. In December 2018, during a routine health checkup the patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an HbA1c of 7.2% and Average Blood Glucose levels of 160 mg/dL (
Table showing the Yoga protocol which was performed by the patient
Yoga Protocol | |
---|---|
1 | Shoulder Exercises |
2 | Hand Stretch |
3 | Wrist Exercises |
4 | Neck Exercises |
5 | Back & Front Bending Breathing |
6 | Hip Rotation |
7 | Knee Rotation |
8 | Ankle Stretch |
9 | Ankle Rotation |
10 | Complete Body Stretch |
11 | Sit Up Breathing |
12 | Standing Jog & Relax by Mukha Douthi |
Initially 4–5 rounds of Surya Namaskara with increment of 2 rounds each day was performed by the patients. | |
1 | Bhujangasana |
2 | Dhanurasana |
3 | Shalabhasana |
4 | Setu Bandhasana – Bridge Pose |
5 | Makarasana |
6 | Leg raising variations (Ardha Halasana – Half Plough Pose & Uttanpadasana – Both Leg Rasing) |
7 | Jathara Parivartanasana (One Leg Raising and Twisting) |
8 | Sarvangasana |
9 | Baddha Konasana. (Butterfly Stretch) |
10 | Ustrasana |
11 | Vajrasana |
12 | Parivruta Sukhasana |
13 | Vipareeta Bhunamana |
14 | Pavanamuktasana |
15 | Navasana – Boat Pose |
16 | Pashimottanasana |
17 | Ardha Padma Paschimottanasana |
18 | Janusirsasana – Head to Knee Pose |
19 | Parivritta Janu Sirsasana – Revolved Head to Knee |
20 | Ardha Matsyendrasana |
21 | Malasana |
22 | Utkatasana (Half Chair Pose) |
23 | Uttanasana – Forward Bending |
24 | Trikonasana |
25 | Parivrtta Trikonasana |
26 | Tuladandasana – Balancing Stick |
27 | Virabhadrasana (All three Variations) |
28 | Parivrtta Parshuakonasana – Extended Side Angle |
29 | Ardha Chandrasana – Half Moon Pose |
30 | Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward Dog Pose |
31 | Vrikshasana |
32 | Matsyasana |
33 | Upavishta Konasana – Seated Angle Pose |
34 | Tiger Stretch |
35 | Yoga Nidra |
1 | Kapalabhati |
2 | Ujjayi Pranayam |
3 | Bhramari – 9 Rounds |
4 | Surya Bhedana |
5 | Naadi Suddhi – 9 Rounds (Jalandara Bandha) |
6 | Nadaanusandana (Akara Ukara MAkara & OMkara) |
7 | Agnisara |
Shows the HbA1c and ABG in December 2018 – Pre-Yoga intervention.
Test Name | Observed Value | Units |
---|---|---|
HbA1c | 7.2 | % |
Average Blood Glucose | 160 | mg/dl |
Shows the HbA1c and ABG in August 2019 – Post Yoga intervention.
Test Name | Observed Value | Units |
---|---|---|
HbA1c | 5.5 | % |
Average Blood Glucose | 111 | mg/dl |
Reference Range HbAlc | Reference Range ABG | ||
---|---|---|---|
Below–6.0% | Normal Value | 90–120 mg/dl | Excellent Control |
6.0%–7.0% | Good Control | 121–150 mg/dl | Good Control |
7.0% –8.0% | Fair Control | 151–180 mg/dl | Average Control |
8.0%–10.0% | Unsatisfactory Control | 181–210 mg/dl | Action Suggested |
Above 10% | Poor Control | >211 mg/dl | Panic Value |
Younger age of onset for type 2 diabetes mellitus is becoming an unfortunate trend over the past 10–20 years. It can largely be attributed to an increase in sedentary lifestyle, increased intake of processed sugars and refined carbohydrates and increased levels of chronic stress. The present study discusses about the case of Young age Diabetes onset in a woman aged 34 years.
Due to this modern lifestyle, there has been an increase in the incidence a metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. This not only increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus but also other disease states such as dyslipidemias, polycystic ovarian disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, etc.
The practice of yoga/exercise can help in lowering blood glucose levels by cellular glucose uptake via the insulin independent AMP Kinase pathway in striated muscle cells. This reduces the blood glucose burden and helps in better insulin sensitization (
Yoga and meditation have also shown a decrease in stress levels as well as provide better regulation of cortisol levels (
Amla Juice has been shown to have multiple uses in ayurvedic medicine. It has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidant properties, anti-pyretic and immunomodulatory properties to name a few. These properties have been implicated in studies to have improved glycemic control in patients (
In a study on diabetic rats, turmeric was shown to decrease blood glucose as well as HbA1c levels (
The combination of these modalities in the yoga protocol assigned to the patient seem to have re-sensitized the patient to insulin and improved glycemic control drastically, to the point where she has reversed her diagnosis of diabetes.
This case study is based on a single patient and self-declaration on the daily practices for 3 months. However, as a case study, it is hard to conclude whether the parameters measured are due to Yoga practice or consuming Amla Juice for 3 months or any other factors which are not disclosed. A larger randomized study on the effectiveness of Yoga therapy as an integrative approach will have strong base.
Improved Lifestyle resulted in reduction of stress and better family relationship and bonding. Patient was practicing the Asana, Pranayama and Meditation during morning for 70 minutes.
The present case study gives an insight about the efficacy of Yoga in replenishing insulin sensitivity and potential of Yoga in prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Author acknowledges the efforts of the diabetic for compiling the data and become available for participation, discussion, and writing of the manuscript. Author is also thankful to Aniket Kolee – Head of TCS Data Office & Global Head of Yoga Council and Sunil Deshpande – TCS Bangalore Center Head from Tata Consultancy Services for providing necessary support towards welfare of the employees and conducting Yoga Therapy Workshop. Also, thanks to ES Chakravarthy – TCS Global Head RMG.
Author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
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