An Ayurvedic Approach To Obesity
An Ayurvedic Approach To Obesity
An Ayurvedic Approach To Obesity
Obesity
by
Jeyashanthy Murugakumar
Ayurveda is 5000 year old and has a holistic approach to life. In Ayurveda, obesity is regarded as
medoroga, a disorder of meda dhatu, which includes fat tissue and fat metabolism. According to
Ayurveda obesity begins with imbalance of doshas (Vata, Pita, and Kapha), an imbalance of agni
(digestive fire), an imbalance of the malas (waste products) or an imbalance of shrotas
(microcirculatory channels). This collection of imbalances then interferes with the formation of
tissues or dhatus and leads to a tissue imbalance that we experience as excess weight.
From the Ayurvedic perspective, the key cause is found in lifestyle and diet choices that disrupt
balance. Ayurveda views weight imbalance and obesity as something that should be corrected
before it can contribute to other health problem.
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There are seven dhatus, and they are created sequentially. The creation of dhatus is an ongoing
complex process. The key word is sequential. If at any stage there is an imbalance, this disrupts
the whole sequence of tissue formation. The shrotas or channels play a big role, because they
carry the information required to properly form the tissues step by step. If blockages occur in the
shrotas due to toxins (ama), an imbalance starts. According to Ayurveda to maintain balance and
health strong agni and clear shrotas are essential.
From Ayurvedic perspective the cause of weight gains is cyclical. It begins with balance
reducing choices in diet and lifestyle that weaken the digestive fire, which in turns increases
toxins, clogging the communication channels shrotas and thereby disrupting the formation of
tissues. The poorly formed tissue layers increases meda dhatu and an imbalance in Kapha
Dosha. This in turn increases accumulation of toxins (ama), which leads to imbalance in meda
dhatu.
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To break the cycle, the Ayurvedic expert (vaidya) determines the unique nature of the individual
(Prakriti) and the nature of imbalance (Vikriti). The essence of recommendation is generally
comes down to addressing a few core issues: strengthening digestion (balance agni), removing
ama, improving dietary habits and adjusting inappropriate daily routines and lowering stress.
Vata:
A balanced vata is creative, artistic, sensitive, spiritual and funny. When not in balance vata is
nervous, anxious and restless. Stressful job or rocky relationship could lead to lack of sleep or
worry, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Vata is associated with air and ether elements, which
causes unstable mood and mind and as a result irregular appetite. Vatas becomes ultimate
grazers, mostly because lack of routine and order to plan a meal. Eating lots of sugar calms the
nerves as well as eating lots give vata a sense of security.
Pitta:
Pitta is driven, competitive, ambitious and constantly chasing the next goal. Pita is intelligent
and razor-sharp focus. Hunger is very intense in Pita. But pitas frequently forget to eat and cant
stop what they are doing to eat something healthy. They become absorbed in their task whatever
they are doing. When it is time to eat pita overeats, and full of cravings, because craving is
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Kapha:
Kapha moves through life at a slow, methodical space. They are calm, easy going, affectionate
and content. Kapha is associated with earth and water elements. When not in balance this is the
most common Dosha that develops obesity, slow metabolism, easy weight gain, continuous
appetite (addiction to eat), hypothyroid or other hormonal conditions that cause retention of
weight, mainly water and fat, weak pancreas and kidneys, low pulse and energy, excess phlegm,
fat deposits and benign tumors may develop.
Guidelines:
Hydrate with warm water:
75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. According to Ayurveda, warm water is a natural
detoxifier. Warm water mops up impurities as it travels through over-taxed digestive system,
sweeping away molecules left behind from partially digested food that could be slowing down
what nature intended to be an enviably swift metabolic rate. Replacing sugary beverages like
soda and fruit juices with clear warm water automatically reduces number of calories per day.
Cold drinks cause the muscles and blood vessels in gastrointestinal tract to freeze and in turn
vitiate digestive fire, which leads sluggish digestion. Warm water, on the other hand, relaxes the
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Drink a cup of hot water with a teaspoon honey and 10 drops of lime juice added whenever feel
hungry will be a good substitute for eating and will help to melt the fat. (The complete book of
Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad)
Mindful eating:
A study in the British Medical Journal has discovered that people who eat quickly are three
times more likely to be overweight than those who take their time. While eating zoning out,
watching TV, talking, driving, and multi-tasking undermine the digestive process and counteract
the effort to lose weight. Mindful eating means it is about being conscious and present while
eating. When food is eaten mindfully, the brain sees, tastes, smell and feels and sends signals to
the stomach to release enzymes and juices to digest the food. According to Ayurveda, you are
not what you eat but what you digest. The first stage of digestion starts in the mouth with
Bodhaka Kapha. The moment that any kind of food or substance comes in contact with saliva
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Avoid tamasic foods: Leftovers, processed, canned foods, fast food or food with
Do not talk or laugh while eating. Do not eat on the run or while watching TV
In order to be healthy and increase the digestive power (agni) while losing weight, the following
steps should be followed:
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Kapha: Kapha reducing food, avoiding refined sugars, salt, dairy, sweet fruit,
bread, pastry, meat, fish, fruit juices, cold liquids, and oils. Spice teas, vegetable
juices, steamed vegetables, beans, and whole grains are good. Suggestion
includes less sleep, no naps, and strong, aerobic exercise. Hot digestive herbs like
black pepper, ginger, turmeric, and trikatu burn up the fat and raise the digestive
fire. Bitter herbs, like katuka, triphala and guggul, reduce fat and dry water.
Eat freshly cooked warm food. It will strengthens agni, digests food better,
Eat food, which has enough oil, and is moist enough (not fried). It tastes better,
Do not eat food with wrong combination. E.g. Honey and ghee when combined
in equal quantities is poisonous. Mixing sour fruits and milk curdles the milk.
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Eat light meals for breakfast and dinner and heavy meal during lunch time, have
Eating sequence: First eat carbohydrates or sweet taste, next eat salty, sour,
Yoga:
Certain gentle yoga asanas are helpful, including the Palm Tree pose, and the Triangle Pose.
Also, while sitting on the floor, bend forward as far as you can, with the goal of eventually
touching the head to the knees. The Fish, Camel, Cobra and Cow poses are simple, helpful
postures. (The complete book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad)
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Herbal Helpers:
The following herbal formula will help lose weight.
3 parts kutki, 3 parts chitrak, 2 parts shilajit and 5 parts punarnava - take
teaspoon of this mixture twice a day with 1teaspoon honey, before meals.
In addition, taking 1 tablet of the following herbs all together, with warm water, 3
It is also helpful to take triphala every night. At least 1 hour after dinner, pour 1
cup of boiling water over to 1 teaspoon triphala, let it steep for 10 minutes and drink.
(The complete book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad)
Conclusion:
Obesity is a common problem in North America. It is mainly due to improper lifestyle, wrong
food choices and lack of exercise. Above all, people do not have a sense of self awareness.
They are taken by external factors, by their senses and do not give importance for their existence
in this universe. They dont have mind, body and spiritual connection, and not even breathing
right. Ayurvedic approach provides all the necessary tools to bring back health, harmony and
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References:
Ayurveda and Weight Find Your Balance, article by Dr. Mark Toomey
The Yoga Body Diet by Kristen Schultz Dollard and John Douillard
END
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