LADA Ayurveda: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

What is LADA?

Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) is an autoimmune form of diabetes that begins in adulthood and progresses more slowly than classic type 1 diabetes. Because it initially resembles type 2 diabetes, LADA is commonly misdiagnosed. Over time autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells causes reduced insulin production and progressive hyperglycaemia; many people eventually require insulin therapy. Accurate diagnosis (autoantibody testing, C-peptide, glucose monitoring) and close endocrinology follow-up are essential.

Critical medical safety note

LADA is an autoimmune, progressive condition that can lead to insulin deficiency. Ayurvedic care should be strictly complementary to conventional endocrinology: continue prescribed medications, glucose monitoring and specialist follow-up. Any Panchakarma or internal medicines must be coordinated with the treating endocrinologist, and blood glucose / C-peptide / relevant labs should be monitored during therapeutic changes.

Ayurvedic supportive approach (what we aim for)

• Stabilize glycaemia: avoid interventions that destabilise blood glucose; maintain medication where required.
• Reduce Ama & rebalance Agni: improve digestion and metabolic clarity with dietary changes and selected herbs under supervision.
• Support tissues (Dhatus) & immunity: nourishing/rejuvenative (Brimhana) therapies to reduce catabolism, improve vitality and support pancreatic health.
• Panchakarma selectively: certain detox procedures are used in metabolic disorders to reduce toxic load and improve tissue metabolism — only after full assessment and specialist clearance.

Clinic therapies we use for LADA (selected)

Below are therapies commonly used by Ayurvedic clinics to support metabolic and pancreatic health in suitable LADA patients. Each entry includes a reference photo. Therapies are individualized and only delivered after medical/endocrine clearance.

Abhyanga (Warm oil massage)

What it is: Gentle, rhythmic whole-body oil massage tailored to the patient's constitution.

• Provides nervous-system calm, improves peripheral circulation and supports overall nourishment.
• Used regularly in rehabilitation to reduce stress-related glycaemic variability and support tissue health.

Njavara Kizhi (Nourishing bolus therapy)

What it is: Warm boluses of Njavara rice cooked in herbal decoctions applied across the body.

• Deeply nourishing (Brimhana) — used where weight loss, weakness or tissue depletion are present.
• Supports appetite, metabolic strength and overall recovery in prolonged metabolic conditions.

Virechana (Therapeutic purgation) — selective

What it is: Supervised herbal purgation to remove Pitta-related toxins via the bowel.

• Used selectively to address Pitta/Ama patterns affecting metabolism and hepatic function — only after careful assessment.
• Requires preparatory internal oleation (Snehapana), monitoring of glucose and lab clearance; not used if unstable glycaemia.

Basti (Medicated enema) — selected use

What it is: Medicated decoction or oil administered rectally to balance Vata and improve gut metabolism.

• In metabolic disorders Basti may be used to regulate the gut–metabolism axis and improve nutrient assimilation.
• Prescribed only when clinically appropriate and after coordination with medical team.

Kashaya Dhara (Herbal decoction pouring)

What it is: Continuous pouring of warm herbal decoction on the abdomen or upper body.

• Used as a calming/supportive therapy; decoctions chosen to be metabolically balancing and safe for glucose control.
• Adjunct to systemic therapies to soothe discomfort and support digestion.

Shirodhara (Forehead pouring)

What it is: Slow, continuous pouring of warm oil or decoction on the forehead to calm the nervous system.

• Reduces stress, improves sleep and helps stabilise autonomic drivers of glucose variability.
• Useful adjunct when stress and sleep disruption are affecting metabolic control.

Lepam (Herbal paste on the abdomen)

What it is: Warm herbal pastes applied topically over the abdomen to stimulate local circulation and digestion.

• Used as supportive local therapy when gastrointestinal digestion (Agni) needs gentle stimulation without systemic stress.

Herbal & nutritional considerations

All internal and external medicines must be individually dosed, and any changes to diabetic medications or insulin must be done by the treating endocrinologist. Ayurveda supports metabolic health but is not a substitute for necessary insulin in insulin-deficient states.

Sample clinic plans (illustrative)

Quick reference — therapies & roles