Diabetes And Meditation

Diabetes, wellness and meditation

Medical science has made tremendous progress in last 30 years in terms of treating infections, trauma, robotic surgeries etc but failed to control the rise of diabetes.

Though there are many discoveries on new diabetes medicines and newer types of insulin, lifestyle changes is the key in the management of diabetes.

Diabetes management needs balance:

• balance in diet and eating
• balance in exercise and activity 
• balance in stress 

Meditation is the key tool in bringing a balance in lifestyle. By accepting diabetes and fully aware of how life and the management of diabetes interact, one can learn to manage diabetes effectively.

• Mindful meditation teaches us to focus on present moment.
• By focusing on present moment.
• Future anxiety about diabetes complications can be prevented.
• By focusing on present moment.
• Repeating past mistakes of lifestyle can be avoided.

How meditation helps control blood sugars?

Meditation helps lower blood sugar by 

• reducing chronic inflammation 
• increasing insulin production (study in massachusetts general hospital)
• increasing mitochondrial metabolism (power centres of cells)
• altering genetic expression i.e. epigenetics (observed in long term meditators)

Other important benefits of meditation for diabetics:

• meditation reduces stress hormones and prevents stress induced increase of blood sugars:
  • chronic stress stimulates the production of stress hormones called corticosteroids which increases blood glucose levels
  • meditation helps in reducing chronic stress and decreases stress hormones
• meditation decreases cravings:
  • many diabetics have cravings for sugar. This craving will disappear with continuous practice of meditation
• meditation relieves chronic pain:
  • many diabetics are suffering from nerve pains in legs (peripheral neuropathy)
  • meditation is helpful in reducing chronic pains and unpleasant sensations
• cures insomnia:
  • old diabetics have problem in sleeping. Disturbed sleep increases stress hormones, which increases blood sugar levels
  • meditation helps in improving quality of sleep
• meditation helps in reducing cardiovascular vascular complications:
  • heart attacks and increase in blood pressure are known complications of diabetes
  • meditation helps in reducing bp and also decreases heart attack risks

Note: Meditation is very much required for gestational diabetics. Along with controlling sugars, it helps reducing stress and anxiety related to pregnancy.