Yoga for Diabetes and Obesity

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and afflicts about eighteen million Americans. Diabetes means that the body does not produce or use insulin properly. Insulin is the hormone responsible in converting sugar, starches and other food into energy. Diabetes may be caused by genetic factors, though lack of exercise, Obesity and stress may also cause this disease. Stress increases the blood glucose levels and the risk for Heart Disease, stroke, and infections.

Of the 18 million Americans with Diabetes, about 5.2 million are undiagnosed and about 90-95% have Type 2 Diabetes. There are two basic Types of Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes is insulin dependent. The pancreas no longer make insulin thus patients with Type 1 Diabetes need to take insulin shots or use insulin pumps. Type 2 Diabetes, on the other hand, is non-insulin dependent and is the most common form of Diabetes. This Type of Diabetes can be developed by anyone - young and Old. In Type 2 Diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, and the fat, Muscle, or liver cells does not use it properly. Obese people have higher risk in developing Type 2 Diabetes since both body fat and fat circulating in the bloodstream appear to interfere with the ability of cells to use insulin.

Diabetes is often characterized by frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, abnormal weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry vision. Type 1 Diabetes is treated with insulin shots, regular exercise, daily aspirin intake and Blood Pressure and cholesterol control. While Type 2 Diabetes is treated with Diabetes medicines, regular exercise, wise food choices, daily aspirin intake, and blood pressure and cholesterol control.

In most cases, it is easy to ignore Diabetes in its early stage, especially when you see or feel no symptoms. This is dangerous. Diabetes affects almost all our major organs such as the heart, the Nerves, the eyes and the kidneys and can lead to both long and short term complications. Long term complications can be disabling or fatal, they also develop gradually. Keeping your blood sugar close to the normal level is the best way to reduce the risk of complications. This can be done through exercise and physical activity and taking medications. Strengthening your immune system is also vital since some illnesses can cause your body to produce more blood sugar. Constant watch on your glucose level is important when you are sick. Food and alcohol also has great effects on your blood sugar level. Alcohol intake can make your sugar level to fall while food intake can raise it up, so drink only in moderation, watch your food intake, and still, keep watch of your sugar level. The level of estrogen and progesterone in your body can also cause changes in your blood sugar level, especially during the third week of the Menstrual Cycle. Most Women, though, do not notice this change.

Yoga for Obesity and Diabetes One of the causes of Diabetes and other serious medical conditions is Obesity which affects 60% of the American population. Obesity and Diabetes are also termed as twin epidemics. Obesity may be defined as the excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. This occurs you're your calorie intake is greater than the amount of energy you burn. Medical professionals measure how much a person is overweight by figuring his BMI or Body Mass Index.

Obesity may be caused by genetic factors, though some psychological, environmental, and some other factors also play a role. Obesity may run in the family or may be caused by lack of activity or a sedentary lifestyle. Some people also eat as a way to cope with some Psychological Disturbance. Other cases are due to binge eating or the feeling that one cannot control how much he is eating. Illnesses like hypothyroidism, Depression and certain neurological ailments can also lead to overeating. Drugs like steroids may cause a person to gain weight excessively.

Both Obesity and Diabetes is highly preventable through proper diet, exercise and lifestyle change. Yoga Lifestyle will be most suitable to facilitate treatment for this twin epidemic. The Yoga principle on Healthy Diet and the practice of the Asanas will help balance the endocrine system, tone the abdominal organs, stimulate both the nervous and Circulatory System, and reduce stress. Yoga also helps one to gain a better understanding of ones self, leading to acceptance and appreciation which will help eliminate the psychological reasons for Obesity. The practice of Yoga deals with all the aspects of an individual: the mind, body and spirit, giving a person control over his mind and body and making the effect is more permanent than other techniques.