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Diabetes is growing alarmingly in India with more than 65.1 million people suffering from the disease, compared to 50.8 million in 2010. The most worrisome issue is the increase numbers of children in the country who are developing diabetes. Around 70,000 Indian children under the age of 15 suffer from type 1 diabetes, while another 40,000 have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. 90%of all childhood diabetes are type 1, where children are dependent on insulin for survival.Type-1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas which results in a complete deficiency of the hormone. It can't be prevented, but can be well managed making it even more crucial for children to be counselled and learn ways to control the disease. Yoga is a crucial discipline that helps provides not only palliative care but also helps control or cure lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, psychological disorders etc. The asanas or yogas poses that help stimulate the stomach muscles also help improve pancreatic activity. Yogic therapy works by rejuvenating the main glands involved with diabetes, like the pancreas that is involved with insulin release. The stress glands also seem to be implicated, where a high stress level can overload the blood with high sugar as a response to stress.
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7 Yoga Asanas that fight Diabetes:
* BhujangAsan or Cobra pose
* Nakrasan or Crocodile pose
* Mandukasana or Frog posture
* Trikonasana or Triangle pose
* Ardha-matsyendra-asana or The Half Spinal Twist
* Katichakransana or The Standing Spinal Twist
* Chakrasana or Wheel Pose
“Diabetes among children was considered a rare occurrence till a few years ago. Diabetes was usually associated with old age, appearing in those around 50 to 60 years who consumed too much sugar and starch in their diet, carried too much weight and failed to exercise. However, today diabetes in children is increasing relentlessly because of the imbalances which are evolving within the modern lifestyle. Other than genes, a high calorie diet, junk food, inactivity are few key reasons behind this increase. Today 68% urban children don't exercise regularly and less outdoor games and more of indoor games result in increased incidences of childhood obesity. Nearly 9% of adolescents between the age of 9 and 18 have more abdominal fat. Due to the various factors, the pattern of diabetes emerges gradually in later life. However, it can be controlled by dietary and yogic practices. This state of exhaustion of the pancreas can be controlled and restored by yoga and dietary regulations which re-sensitize the body's tissues to its own insulin, rejuvenate the depleted pancreas and digestive glands and restore correct body weight” said Dr VaishakhiRustagi, Sr.Consultant, Paediatric Endocrinology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, ShalimarBag.
“India is the home of Yoga but unfortunately also the capital of diabetes today. In diabetes, the blood sugar is raised beyond usual limits of 80 to 120 mgs percent (fasting blood sugar). Insulin is the only hormone in the body that can bring down the blood sugar. Every organ and system can be affected by diabetes. Learning yoga at a young age helps one control himself or herself in a holistic manner and at all levels of their being; physical, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual, recognizing the effects of stress, emotional imbalance, and dietary and living habits, on the disease condition. We hope that with this week-long session, we are able to help spread awareness about the critical role that yoga plays in helping control a disease as serious as diabetes” said Himanshu.
