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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Journal of Social Health and Diabetes 2019; 07(01): 028-030
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1683468
Brief Communication
Novo Nordisk Education Foundation

Metabolic Vipaka

Dayakshi D. K. Abeyaratne‡
1   Diabetes and Endocrinology Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
,
Gagan Priya‡
2   Department of Endocrinology, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, India
,
Sanjay Kalra
3   Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, India
,
Than Than Aye‡
4   Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine 2, Yangon, Myanmar
,
Moe Wint Aung‡
5   Department of Endocrinology, University of Medicine 1, Yangon, Myanmar
,
Manilka Sumanatilleke‡
1   Diabetes and Endocrinology Unit, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 06 December 2018

Accepted after revision: 11 December 2018

Publication Date:
28 June 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Diabetes management should focus on biopsychosocial aspects and comprehensive care. The philosophical tenets of Buddhism can be a source of inspiration for both the individual with diabetes and health care provider. Buddhism preaches the immutable relationship between action and outcomes. This has a corollary in diabetes care; optimized metabolic control in diabetes is associated with improved short- and long-term outcomes and a legacy effect. Buddhism emphasizes on maintaining a “middle path.” When applied to diabetes care, this would mean avoiding both extremes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia and optimization of metabolic health while minimizing treatment-emergent adverse events. Mindfulness meditation-based stress reduction strategies may further improve not only psychological health but also biophysical outcomes in diabetes and merit further research.

Keywords

biopsychosocial diabetes management - metabolic karma - metabolic vipaka - mindfulness meditation