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Introduction
Obesity is a complex health condition in which there is an abnormal increase in the body fat, body weight and, consequently, in body mass index (BMI). In addition to changes in eating habits and sedentary activities, obesity can also be due to genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors. Crash diets and weight loss supplements can appear as easy options but are not the best way to address obesity. A healthy lifestyle and gradually reducing weight are recommended to ensure overall health and wellness. Ayurveda can be a valuable support for weight reduction and healthy weight maintenance; this blog describes ayurvedic management of obesity to achieve lasting health outcomes.
Understanding Obesity in Ayurveda
Ayurveda describes obesity as “sthoulya” and it comes under santarpanajanya vikara- diseases caused due to over nourishment.It is worth noting that Sthoulya comes under ashtanindita purusha in Ayurveda- undesirable body constitution. The etipathogenesis of sthoulya is mentioned as medo dhatu agni mandya or low metabolic fire in adipose tissue. The medas then obstructs the srotas or the body channels, causing the vata dosha to augment the agni and thus causing increased appetite. Partially digested Ahara rasa or food essence circulating in the body is converted to Medas, making the person obese.
Managing Obesity with Ayurveda
Ayurvedic management of obesity is to do langhana or reducing therapies- vamana, virechana, niruha vasti, rukshana or drying therapy, pachana or digestive food and medicines, vyayama or exercise and upvasa or fasting. It is essential to consult with an Ayurveda physician to understand which therapy best suits you, after assessing the dehabala or body strength and vyadhibala or severity of the disease. The more serious conditions are to be treated with shodhana therapies like vamana, virechana, vasti and udwartana; while less intense condition is treated with shamana aushadhis or herbs and medicines that have lekhaniya or scraping action.
Ayurvedic Diet for Obesity
- Eat aged rice, millets and barley. Avoid wheat, milk and milk products. Buttermilk made from skimmed milk and added with spices like pepper, jeera and curry leaves are good for weight loss.
- You should include honey in your diet in limited quantities. Drink warm water boiled with ginger instead of cold water.
- Use mustard and sesame oil to cook your food.
- Stay away from potatoes and root vegetables by taking in bitter vegetables like snake gourd, moringa, eggplant or radish in your diet.
- Leave out urad dal; instead, opt for other leguminous pulses such as green gram (moong), horse gram (kultu), toor dal (pigeon pea) or Bengal gram (chickpea).
- Avoid over ripe fruits such as bananas, papaya etc.; consume amla (gooseberry), bael (wood apple), jamun (black plum), lemon etc.
- Take bath using warm water; avoid bathing with cold water.
- Avoid sleeping during the day; indulge into light to moderate exercises instead.
- Do not eat raw salads because they can be tough on your digestive system; go for steamed vegetables seasoned with salt and pepper.
Conclusion
Obesity management through Ayurveda is based on individualized treatment comprising a combination of dietary changes, lifestyle alterations, and cleansing therapies such as Panchakarma. While making an effort to lose weight through nutrition and living with moderation, Ayurveda addresses the problem from its roots by formulating a plan suitable for every single individual. Incorporating Ayurveda into one’s everyday life can resolve digestive system issues and re-establish healthy body weight in a comprehensive way.
