With mental stress becoming one of the important reasons behind diabetes, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space on Friday called for a holistic management of the disease through ayurveda, unani, naturopathy, yoga and lifestyle management.
He was speaking at a seminar on "Prevention and Control of Diabetes through Ayurveda" held here to mark the first ever National Ayurveda Day on Friday.
"India has seen a surge in the incidence of diabetes over the last 15 years, especially among the younger generation," Jitendra Singh said adding that the focus of the Government should be on youth and pregnant women with respect to diabetes control and management.
The Minister further explained since mental stress could be one of the important reasons behind diabetes, a holistic management of the disease is required including Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, Yoga and lifestyle management.
According to experts, mental stress-such as family or finance problems-often leads to raised blood glucose levels for people with type 2 diabetes; and physical stress-such as a sports injury-raises levels for both type 1 and type 2 diabetecs. Taking steps to reduce mental stress can benefit a person physically and emotionally, they say.
Minsiter of State for AYUSH (Independent Charge), Shripad Yesso Naik launched the "Mission Madhumeh through Ayurveda" on the occasion. "Ayurveda touches the entire way of life and therefore, we should look towards it not only for treatment purposes but also for the promotion of a healthy life. There was a demand to declare Dhanwantari Jayanti as Ayurveda Day for a long time, so the Government decided to go ahead and do the same," the AYUSH Minister said.
Secretary AYUSH, Ajit M Sharan, said that 200 research fellowships have been instituted to create evidence based research in traditional medicine including Ayurveda. Similarily, the Government is collaborating with WHO to develop benchmarks in Ayurveda to make it acceptable to modern science and the world at large.
Three renowned practitioners, academicians and researchers of Ayurveda — Prof Premwati Tiwari,
Parshuram Yashawant Vaidya Khadiwale and Vaidya PR Krishna Kumar were conferred the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda awards.