Potential of Rasahara and yoga in treatment of pre diabetes - A controlled trial
Abstract
Food which is pre-digested and full of vitamins and minerals of all kinds should be taken to
ful-fill all bodily requirements. Such food is safe to eat even when blood sugar levels are
increased. Food substances should be selected for easy digestion, so that the digestive system
works less as for progress on the spiritual path. This thesis hypothesized that swarasa (freshly
prepared herbal juices) taken as a food supplement to replace breakfast has more therapeutic
value than traditional breakfast, and are therefore to be preferred.
Many Āyurveda texts like Yoga Ratnākara, describe the subtle therapeutic importance
of swarasa as well as whole herbs. This study discusses forms in which herbs should be
taken, Guṇas of herbs and their food supplements, effects on the body, and quantities
appropriate for best nutrition. Their many health benefits make raw foods like fresh fruits and
vegetables, herbs, grains, nuts, and sprouted grains, with more vitamins and minerals than
cooked foods. Important dietary components. All are healthy additions to a regular diet
providing missing nutrients; nor do they deposit or develop disease-generating Āma (toxins).
Many studies have investigated food-related ingredients, such herbs to reduce sugar
levels, for newly detected Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Others show how meal time
relates to weight loss. Some show that yoga relaxation programs like Cyclic Meditation
reduce sugar levels in both new and old T2DM patients. This study reports combined effects
of Rasāhāra and Yoga.
In Āyurveda, diet is a primary pillar of health. Food is an internal factor contributing
to health and disease. The review of ancient literature quotes texts stating the importance of
Āhāra-Vihāra for Prameha. Right herbs in correct quantity can restore their health. The
scientific literature review concerns importance of breakfast modification, properties of the four herbs and yoga practices used to treat early T2DM and other diseases, to restore health
and wellbeing.
The study aim was to conduct a 3-arm controlled trial assessing effects of Rasāhāra
and Yoga, or Yoga only on T2DM, metabolic disorder, and prameha markers in early T2DM.
Objectives included recruiting enough participants to obtain required significances;
measuring 5 biomedical parameters every 15 days; pre-post assessment of 10 other
biomedical parameters, Āyurveda doša balas and related variables; to maintain participants
on a regimen restricting variations in diet and lifestyle; and to evaluate any adverse events or
side effects.
Methods: The study was conducted at Bhopal Central Jail on male subjects, aged 18
to 70 years. Inclusion criteria: pre-T2DM patients with blood sugar levels, FBS: 100-170;
PPBS: 150-220 mg/dl. Exclusion criteria: inability to practice Yoga; very low BMI; mental
disorder; already with diabetes complications. Jail Hospital authorities helped with data
extraction costs. The design was a three-arm controlled trial as above, with wait-listed
controls under physician’s observation. Interventions were as described above: the four
Rasāhāra herbs were Wheatgrass (Triticum Aestivum), Āmalaki (Emblica officinalis Gaertn),
Guḍuci (Tinospora cordifolia), and Vāsā (Adhatoda vasica Nees) The Yoga program for
Diabetes to Group 1 & 2. Group 2 ate normal breakfast. Group 3 (Controls) followed their
normal jail routine. Assessments measured T2DM Markers (BMI, HbA1c, FBS, & PPBS);
related parameters, lipid profile, SBP, DBP & pulse rate, Haemoglobin and creatinine; Breath
Holding Time (Bhrāmari), and Doṣa Balas and related Guṇas. Data collection was by
blinded Jail Hospital personnel. All blood samples were analysed blind to participant groups
and trial hypotheses at Śagun Pathology laboratories, Bhopal. Data analysis used Excel and
Graph Pad QuickCalcs, and SPSS-20 at S-VYASA. Results were as follows: for Conventional T2DM Markers BMI no changes; FBS and
PPBS decreased for Groups 1 & 2, and increased for Group 3; Hb1Ac remained steady for
Groups 1 & 2, but increased for controls. Blood lipid levels Groups 1 & 2 tended to improve
values of ‘good’, and decrease values of ‘bad, lipoproteins; Controls did the reverse. Heart
and hypertension parameters showed consistent decrease in standard deviations for Groups 1
and 2 implying that Yoga’s influence is to normalize blood pressure, correcting hypertension
and raising low blood pressure: striking results. Changes in Hb levels were good in Group 1,
none in Group 2, but decrease in Group 3. Changes in Creatinine levels: Groups 1 and 2
improved, but Group 3 got worse agreeing with other studies on Yoga and CKD. Group
differences imply that Yoga helps prevent nephropathy, T2DM’s deadly complication. Breath
holding time increased significantly in both Groups 1 and 2 while it decreased in control
group. Seasonal Change: systematic shifts at change of season were a Post hoc discovery of
importance to all medical science. Though stated in Āyurveda, the phenomenon is not known
to medical science.
This first study of Rasāhāra and Yoga for pre-diabetes in a prison setting in India
shows that prisoners can benefit from yoga prison programs, especially those with elevated
blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Follow-up studies should obtain more robust data so
that Yoga may be added to India’s prison programs. The study was the first to confirm
Rasāhāra’s value as a food supplement replacing normal breakfast. Those not practicing
yoga regularly increased BP and pulse rates. Initially, all participants showed increased
Kapha-Pitta Doṣa Balas confirming Āyurveda texts. Group 1 improved in Kapha-Pitta more
than Group 2, both did better on all Dosha Balas than controls, confirming the values of their
interventions.
Results point to the efficacy of IAYT Yoga practice combined with strict āhāra-vihāra for
treatment of newly diagnosed T2DM, especially benefits of breakfast modification. Addition of Rasāhāra herbal juices is a cheap alternative to long-term use of chemical drugs, which
fail to improve underlying pathology. They support all study hypotheses. Further studies of
Rasāhāra treatment are merited, particularly in rural areas, where it would be easy to
implement.
Description
Keywords
Ayurveda, Diabetes, Yoga, Rasahara