First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Humanix Books for the opportunity to review Jackie Christensen and Pat Crocker book, The Ayurveda Solution to Type 2 Diabetes: A Clinically Proven Approach to Balance Blood Sugar in 12 Weeks.
It is worth nothing that this book is written in tandem by Jackie Christensen, a doctorate in natural medicine and a master’s degree in Ayurveda and Pat Crocker, a professional Home Economist and a student of healing food and herbal wisdom. This explains why there are so many detailed and yummy recipes in the book. I thought this would be a good starting point for the review 😊.
The first chapter I particularly liked for its exposition of what is Ayurveda and its three dynamic life forces or constitutions of Vata, Pitta, Kapha. I am not new to Ayurveda however I found Christensen explanation of the three doshas very well illustrated and easy to comprehend even for those who might be their first time learning about it. Whilst reading the various descriptions one could easily picture the kind of person the author is talking about including types of dreams, signs of aggravation, causes of aggravation but also how that particular dosha ties in with Type 2 Diabetes and its mind-body connection.
In chapter two it was interesting the exploration of what we in modern western medicine call Type 2 Diabetes, as seen from the classical Ayurvedic texts and how its insurgence is different in the three doshas and why. Chapter three explores the six tastes of Ayurveda and its application to Type 2 Diabetes, followed by a series of foods, herbs and spices that have been for thousands of years used to cure Type 2 diabetes. Not only but also how physical exercise acts differently on the three doshas, which exercises to perform accordingly, tools to manage stress and detox strategies.
Chapter 4, 5 set the bases for the 12-week program. Chapter 6, 7 and 8 are dedicated to the program according to one’s specific dosha. It is in this part of the book that you find the detailed delicious recipes I talked about earlier including step by step cooking instructions. Do not worry nothing is left to chance, even the worse cook on earth can follow this book cooking instructions, so no excuses. Also besides the food part you will find the daily schedule to follow from wake up time to sleep time, minutes spent exercising, which type of training best to do, lifestyle enhancements, yoga poses, meditation practices and herbs to accompany all the process.
Chapter 9 deals with detox and restoration always according to the three doshas. Chapter 10 is the rebuilding and reintroduction of foods which is the final part of the program.
Overall, this is an interesting book, written in a simple easy to follow way. Personally, I found that sometimes there was a bit too much repetition of the concepts but then I am not new to the subject, so I do understand the need of the authors to repeat certain notions to the newbies.
Another thing that I would like to point out is the following. Although the book is written in such a way that anyone can follow, Ayurveda will work if the right constitution of the person involved is gleamed. And it is not an easy task for the untrained. Following a dietary regime for the wrong dosha can make things worse. In the book there is a long questionnaire that one can do to self asses their own energy type but I stress what the authors say in the book: it is best to have one’s dosha evaluated by a certified ayurvedic practitioner. In that case this book would offer a huge support for all the rest including a better understanding of the whole process enabling a more conscious compliance.
You can find the book The Ayurveda Solution to Type 2 Diabetes here.
Enjoy!
Hilary
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