Obesity
- Obesity is the most common metabolic disorder and it is described in Ayurvedic texts under ‘medroga” meaning the diseased state (roga) of the adipose tissue
- The body is the product of food
- Disease occurs as the result of faulty nutrition
- This arises as a result of the difference between the wholesome and un-wholesome diet.
- Causes of obesity can be mental and emotional influences on eating patterns as well as cultural influences and socio-economic status all can have an effect
- Genetic factors play a role, but their mechanism remain unknown
- Hormonal imbalance appears to influence the sites and amount of adipose tissue deposition
- Pathophysiology of Obesity:
- Due to eating of heavy, cold, sweet, and oily foods, derangement of the digested food mass takes place and produces Ama or improperly digested food, which disturbs the process of nutrition in the body
- due to this production the first tissue of the seven plasma (rasa-dhatu), is not properly formed
- Instead the food undergoes fermentation and putrefaction, being retained in the stomach
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Pathophysiology of Obesity:
Ayurveda recommends a multidimensional approach in the management of obesity.
The treatment planed with consideration of its causative factors on six levels:
- Due to eating of heavy, cold, sweet, and oily foods, derangement of the digested food mass takes place and produces Ama or improperly digested food, which disturbs the process of nutrition in the body
- due to this production the first tissue of the seven plasma (rasa-dhatu), is not properly formed.
- Instead the food undergoes fermentation and putrefaction, being retained in the stomach
Ayurveda recommends a multidimensional approach in the management of obesity.
The treatment planed with consideration of its causative factors on six levels:
- Weakening of the digestive fire or metabolic power in the adipose tissue.
- production of Ama or improperly digested food.
- Disturbed vata or nervous energy.
- blockage of the channels.
- Lifestyle factors.
- Lack of exercise.
- To raise the metabolic power or digestive fire in the adipose tissue , herbs like guggule, shilajit and trikatu are used.
- Ama production is treated by toxin -burning herbs like guggulu, shilajit and kantakari.
- Aggravation of Vata is treated by medicated enemas of the cleaning intestine (Niruha and Anuvasana basti).
- Channel blockage is alleviated by fat- reducing (lekhanas) herbs.
- Life style factors relate primarily to diet and exercise.
- Diet emphasizing pungent and bitter tastes, which are composed of the light elements of fire , air and ether, are advocated as they produce lightness in the body.
- Sweet taste is restricted in the diet as its earth and water elements increase heaviness.
- Exercise with gradual increase according to the strength of the patient is advised.
- No strong exertion or straining is recommended by Ayurveda
- Exercises are recommended that are simple toper form.