Integrative Approaches for Health: Biomedical Research, Ayurveda and Yoga
Bhushan Patwardhan
Language: English
Pages: 382
ISBN: 012801282X
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Despite spectacular advances, modern medicine faces formidable global challenges in several key areas―notably the persistence of major killer diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and newer threats including HIV/AIDS, resistant infections, and Ebola. As such, modern medicine has not led to a significant decrease in chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, and other degenerative and autoimmune diseases. The authors believe that modern medicine needs to experience a paradigm shift, an integration of traditions―in particular from the ancient systems like Ayurveda and Yoga.
Integrative Approaches for Health: Biomedical Research, Ayurveda and Yoga brings together the basic principles of interdisciplinary systems approach for an evolving construct of future medicine. Such an approach is already emerging at the cutting edge of current research in omics, bioinformatics, computational and systems biology. Several leading institutions of medicine have adopted Yoga and complementary medicine to widen their reach, and deepen effectiveness in therapeutic practices. The amalgam of modern medicine, with its strengths in scientific rigor, blended with the basic principles of life drawn from Ayurveda and Yoga might evolve into a medicine of tomorrow. Integrative approaches are no longer alternative, perhaps taking these approaches is the only possible way to heal our sick planet. This book introduces important trends and tools for biomedical researchers and physicians alike, to innovate the practice of medicine for the better.
- Contains a harmonious confluence of ancient and modern concepts, historical perspectives, philosophical underpinnings, and a relevant review of literature supported by worldwide case studies.
- Provides a critical analysis of ancient wisdom, pointing to potential areas for future research, which provide food for thought for public debate on integrative health care for the twenty-first century.
- Explains Ayurveda knowledge, and its relevance to drug discovery, nutrition, genomics, epigenetics, regenerative biology, longevity and personalized medicine.
- Shares Yoga knowledge insights, and explains its relevance to body–mind complex relationships, psychology, neurobiology, immunoendocrinology, bioenergetics, consciousness, and cognitive sciences.
- Offers illustrations and logic diagrams for enhanced understanding of the concepts presented.
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United Kingdom where nearly 10% of the patients suffer adverse drug events [8]. Tobacco use followed by poor diet and low physical activity remain the major causes of death in a rich country like the United States [9]. A report by the Institute of Medicine suggests that about onethird of health costs are wasted due to unnecessary, and harmful, early elective deliveries. This amounts to nearly $1 billion every year. A sharp rise in lifestyle disorders like obesity, cancer, medical emergencies, and
investigations, or statistical analysis; it is a process of logical, consistent discovery leading to the enhancement of holistic understandings. The knowledge generated by science is reliable, reproducible, and can be applied to develop new technologies. Science is very dynamic in nature; concepts, hypothesis, assumptions, relevance, and interpretations may keep on changing as the body of knowledge grows. The serious study and practice of science normally lead to new questions 31 32 CHAPTER
senior citizens, and successful people contribute to the wellness of society. He further explains the connection between biological nature, and the spirit of man as “creative expression.” An expression of the self in search of universal truth provides inner satisfaction to humanity on an individual level. Core values like creative expression, trust, love, security, maturity, and altruism bring about wellness at a societal level. Dunn presents an optimistic vision that encompasses the wisdom of
stress recovery can be modified in healthy individuals prior to stress exposure. Thus, mindfulness training might have important implications in the prevention of stress, and in effective treatments for better mental health [30]. Participants in mindfulness stress reduction programs showed improvements in worry severity, and improvements in memory. An aging population may have anxiety and mood disorders as common problems, where stress reduction intervention can provide great public health value
adaptation, and intelligence quotient—including that of mentally retarded children [43]. The speed of Surya Namaskara performance, and associated breathing patterns have specific effects. The effects 151 152 CHAPTER 6: Lifestyle and Behavior FIGURE 6.1 Sun salutations. of performing Surya Namaskara at a fast pace are similar to physical, aerobic exercises, whereas the slow performance of Surya Namaskara is similar to those of yoga training [41]. The ancient Sanskrit verses (Akal mrutyu