Living in the Jungle with Type 1 Diabetes: The Miracle of the Amazonian Rainforest

Living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) presents unique challenges, but could you imagine managing this condition while immersed in the heart of the Amazonian rainforest with limited food and no emergency to call?

This blog post is all about the amazing experience of living in the jungle with T1D and how the Amazonian rainforest with its abundant biodiversity and natural resources can be a source of both challenges and miracles. Last year, we had the incredible opportunity to visit Peru for a month. We lived deep in the Peruvian rainforest, about 100 kilometers from the Colombian border in the northern part of Peru, where we climbed their mountains that are between the highest in the world... Happy to share what we learned!

The Amazonian Rainforest: A Natural Wonder

The Amazonian rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," is a vast and vibrant ecosystem teeming with life. It is home to countless species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, many of which have yet to be discovered. The dense canopy, winding rivers, and diverse flora and fauna create a unique environment that is both awe-inspiring and demanding. We were living with the wonderful Shipibo tribe, they were preparing the food for us daily, every ingredient from the rainforest, no salt, seasoning, coffee, alcohol, dairy products, processed food and sweets. Instead, we got chicken, eggs, rice, avocado, veggies and fruits from the forest or local market (that was 1 hour away from the settlement where we lived by a tuktuk). We got the chance to try out different plants based on our individual needs, such as guayusa, marosa, and we also had six sessions of ayahuasca, which is a brewed psychoactive beverage used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years for spiritual ceremonies, nowadays people from all around the world with civilization sicknesses, like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, PTSD, depression and many other physiological and psychological issues to find cure and answers in the secret power of the rain forest ("Pachamama").

Living in the jungle was a truly life changing experience for us. In terms of diabetes here is what we discovered...

Managing Diabetes in the Jungle

Living in the jungle with T1D requires meticulous planning and adaptability. Here are some key aspects we had to consider:

1. Supplies and Medication Ensuring a steady supply of insulin and other necessary medications was crucial. Solar energy and an old fridge helped to keep insulin at the right temperature and gallons of clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene was supplied from the nearest town.

2. Diet and Nutrition The Amazon offers a variety of natural foods that can be incorporated into a diabetic-friendly diet. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins from fish and chicken can help maintain stable blood sugar levels. However, it is essential to be cautious of unfamiliar ingredients that might affect glucose levels unpredictably.

3. Physical Activity The physical demands of jungle life, such as long walking, hiking, hand-washing our clothes in the rainwater, constant work around the shelter to keep it safe from animals and venomous spiders, snakes and insects, can significantly impact blood sugar levels. We were regularly monitoring my husband’s blood sugar - surprisingly, there was hardly to none correctional insulin needed (only basal). Everything was kept within the healthy range simply by the carbonhydrate-less food available to us. Both of us had a similar sugar level, 88 mg/dL on average. During the ayahuasca ceremony my husband took dextrose to stay on the safe side, but surprisingly it was not needed at all. During the ceremony his sugar level always levelled to a normal range and stayed stable over the whole night. There were no morning peaks; everything within the healthy range without any adjustments. Even though it was against the diet, it was crucial for us to have an enormous amount of dextrose with us to fight eventual hypoglycaemia. Better be safe when there is scarcity!

4. Medical Emergencies Access to medical care in the jungle is impossible. You must rely on the local shamans and their wisdom - trust the process! There is neither a hospital in a reasonable vicinity, nor an emergency number that you can call. There is a military base from where they can come to rescue you, but it might take days until they arrive. So, our emergency plan was to get all the possible vaccinations before the journey, take as much insulin, medication, wide spectral antibiotics as we can. We made ourselves familiar with the surroundings and possibilities if it was needed. My husband was very chilled during the stay in the jungle - more than myself. I was worried about him a lot; that made him nervous as well, so it took me a couple days also to let this anxiety due to my husband's condition go.

The Miracles of the Rainforest

Despite the challenges, the Amazonian rainforest offers unique benefits that can positively impact those living with T1D:

1. Natural Remedies The rainforest is a treasure trove of medicinal plants. Indigenous knowledge of these plants can provide natural remedies for various ailments, potentially offering complementary treatments for diabetes-related complications. The locals even told us that people are coming to them from all around the world having all kinds of troubles, from depression to cancer. But all of them are leaving happy and in many cases free of any symptoms. At the beginning we were joking that they were only happy because they survived the jungle. Later we realized that the jungle provides medicines and procedures that Western cultures, or the developed countries, are not even aware of.

2. Mental Well-Being The serene and natural environment of the rainforest can significantly reduce stress levels, which is beneficial for managing diabetes. The connection with nature and the slower pace of life can improve mental health and overall well-being. I left my home with the hope that when I come back I will appreciate more the comfortable life I have, but I came back and I missed the rain forest. The simplicity, purity, living in synergy with the natural cycles.

3. Community Support Indigenous communities in the Amazon often have strong social networks and a deep understanding of the natural environment. They are building strong relationships with their communities, support each other, and use the knowledge of their predecessors from thousands of years ago, which is beneficial for managing diabetes in the jungle as well.

Conclusion

Living in the Amazonian rainforest with T1D was less challenging as we expected, it offers unique opportunities to improve our overall health, for growth, resilience, and connection with nature. The miracles of the rainforest, from its natural remedies to its calming environment, can provide unexpected benefits for those who embrace this extraordinary way of life. With careful planning, adaptability, and a deep respect for the natural world, it is possible to thrive in the jungle while managing T1D.