Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through customized Ayurveda treatment protocol

Abstract

There has been an alarming rise in the cases of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), which is being commonly found to be associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). The conventional methods of therapeutic care available till date for patients with NAFLD are associated with a few limitations. Thus, possible management strategies from all available health-care systems are being explored. This article presents a case study of a patient with grade I/II fatty liver having severe steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter – 315 dB/m) with Glycosylated Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) – 6.8% along with major symptoms presenting as polyuria, polydipsia, flatulence, indigestion, and pain in the abdomen. The patient is diagnosed as a case of Prameha (~T2DM) associated with Yakrit-gata-meda-vriddhi (~NAFLD). The patient was administered Vamana (~therapeutic emesis) therapy, followed by oral administration of a powdered combination of Triphala and Guduchi with honey for 15 days. Further, investigations were carried out to observe the outcomes based upon ultrasound sonography of the abdomen, FibroScan, blood sugar levels (fasting and postprandial), glycosylatedHbA1c, body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio, and other clinical symptoms. The results showed a marked reduction in symptoms along with BMI, and HbA1c levels during, after, and at the follow-up of the treatment. This case report generates primary evidence for the safe and effective management of T2DM associated with NAFLD through Ayurveda.