Byline: Romesh. Bhat, Ramesh. Mavathur, T. Srinivasan

Background: Yoga is the most popular form of alternative medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus type 2. The electro-photonic imaging (EPI) is another contribution from alternative medicine in health monitoring. Aim: To evaluate diabetes from EPI perspective. Objectives: (1) Compare various EPI parameters in normal, prediabetic and diabetic patients. (2) Find difference in controlled and uncontrolled diabetes. (3) Study the effect of 7 days diabetes-specific yoga program. Materials and Methods: For the first objective, there were 102 patients (normal 29, prediabetic 13, diabetic 60). In the second study, there were 60 patients (controlled diabetes 27, uncontrolled diabetes 33). The third study comprised 37 patients. EPI parameters were related to general health as well to specific organs. Results: In the first study, significant difference was observed between (1) Diabetics and normal: average intensity 5.978, form coefficient 3.590, immune organs 0.281 all P < 0.001; (2) Diabetics and prediabetics: average intensity 6.676, form coefficient 4.158, immune organs 5.890 P < 0.032; (3) Normal and prediabetes: immune organs (−6.171 P = 000). In the second study, remarkable difference was in the immune organs (0.201, P = 0.031). In the pre- and post-study, the mean difference was: area 630.37, form coefficient 1.78, entropy 0.03, liver 0.24, pancreas 0.17, coronary vessels 0.11, and left kidney 29, with all P < 0.02. Conclusion: There is a significant difference in EPI parameters between normal, prediabetics and diabetics, the prominent being average intensity, form coefficient, and immune organs. Between controlled and uncontrolled diabetes, immune organs show significant change. Intervention of yoga results in change in most parameters.

Introduction

Diabetes poses a great threat to the world. With the changes in lifestyle in the developing and the developed countries, people are prone to this disorder. Coupled with genetic dispositions of Asians, people in those countries are predisposed to this disorder.[sup][1] India has a major problem; the disease is spreading faster than anticipated earlier. It is shifting from older people to young adults.[sup][2],[3] The magnitude is so severe that by 2025–2030 India is expected to be the diabetic capital of the world.[sup][4],[5] The knowledge regarding this problem is known from earlier times and is mentioned in the ancient literature on Indian medical system like Ayurveda.[sup][6] Modern medicine facilitated diagnosis and management of disease through advancement in pharmacology and research but the cure still remains a distant dream.[sup][7] The disease is lethal in action and spreads to almost all vital organs of the body. Early detection and management would greatly help in arresting the spread of disease. The serious repercussions of the disease could thus be avoided or deferred.[sup][8] Stress is found to be one of the main causes of diabetes. This is in line with the philosophy of Yoga and Ayurveda. As per both, the source of all the diseases is mind. Disturbances in the mind cause systemic problems and ultimately settle at the organ level. The cause and effect is known by the terms “Aadhi” and “Vyadhi,” respectively.[sup][9],[10] The modern medical system till recently was focused on the physical organs and systems for disease management. It is realized lately, that for all gross manifestations, there is a subtle undercurrent. The medicine now focuses on mind and the body rather than body only. Yoga is one blessing to the mankind which helps to calm down mind and rejuvenate the body. It is a recognized spiritual philosophy with immense health benefits and very effective in treating stress.[sup][11],[12] Thus, a holistic medicine is evolving, where wisdom of traditional practices and the modern medicine is offered simultaneously for the welfare of mankind. …