Obesity is a situation in which a person has an excessive amount of fat which can increase the risk of certain chronic diseases like blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes.
In modern days obesity has become one of the most common problems as several people belonging to different age groups are facing the disease. Obesity has become more of a lifestyle-related issue and when overweight gets unchecked, it results in obesity which later affects your social life as well.
In Ayurveda point of view, Atisthaulyaa (Obesity) is defined as excessive accumulation of Meeda (fat/adipose tissue) and Mansa (flesh/muscle tissue) leading to flabbiness of hips, abdomen, and breast.
It is thought of one of Santarpanottha Vikaras (disorder due to consumption of excess carbs) at Ayurveda. Medodushti (disorders of fat metabolism) may be among those risk factors for Heart Disease.
What is obesity?
Accumulation of excessive fat in the body refers to obesity and is the most common nutritional disease of modern times. Regular consumption of high-fat foods, fried foods, and an inactive lifestyle causes excessive fat blockade in several body channels. When a person carries excessive body fat and has a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, the person is considered to be obese.
Diagnosis Overweight / Obesity
Body Mass Index (BMI) Overweight and Obesity are assessed utilizing Body Mass Index (BMI). It is calculated by a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square foot of his / her height in meters (kg/m2 ).
Further, the following Laboratory investigations are recommended to assess the risk of additional Related health problems
- Lipid profile
- Blood glucose (both Fasting and Post Lunch preferably fasting)
- Blood pressure dimension
Obesity Facts
India has witnessed a tremendous increase in obesity over the past several years says a study report published in Lancet. From 19th in 1975, India`s ranking in obese men rose to 5th in 2014 while in terms of the obese women population throughout the world, India ranks 3rd.
The biggest and most shocking concern in India is childhood obesity which has increased sharply from 9.7% in 2001 to 19.3% in 2010 thus making India the second largest country for childhood obesity.
Key facts
- Obesity has tripled worldwide since 1975.
- More than 1.9 billion adults above 18 years were overweight in 2016 and 650 million of these were obese.
- In 2016, 39% adults of above 18 years were overweight while 13% were obese.
- The majority of the world`s population belongs to the countries where obesity and overweight kill more people than underweight.
- In 2020, the number of overweight or obese children under the age of five was 39 million.
- In 2016, over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese.
- Each year, about 2.8 million people die due to obesity worldwide.
- About 135 million people in India have obesity.
- Obesity is preventable.
What Does Ayurveda Say about Obesity?
According to the Ayurveda, imbalance in Kapha dosha is one of the main causes of obesity. People who are dominant with Kapha dosha are prone to weight gain issues as compared to Pitta or Vatta dominant persons. Therefore, persons having Kapha imbalance, have to work hard to avoid unwanted weight gain.
According to the Ayurveda texts and sholka there are eight undesirable conditions of the body known as Nindya Prakriti, and obesity or Medoroga is one of them. People with obesity have medas or sterile fats which affect other vital dhatus or layers of the body. Obesity occurs when fat metabolism hampers along with an increase in Kapha.
Ayurveda Key fact:
- In Ayurveda, obesity may be co-related to ‘Sthoulyam’.
- The Ayurveda says that an Increase in digestive fire (Agni) is due to Vata dosha vitiation that digests the food you consume very easily insisting to have more.
- The level of metabolism tissue is obstructed particularly the fat tissue doesn`t get changed properly.
- The excessive consumption of sweet, oily, and cold food results in Kapha dosha vitiation which in turn leads to fat deposition.
- The Ayurvedic recommendations for weight loss tone the faulty fat metabolism and help to uphold optimum body weight.
Risk
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- Ceratin Cancers
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Sleep Apnea
- Kidney Issues
Causes
- Increased ingestion of energy-dense foods which are high in fats and carbohydrates.
- Overeating and Irregular intake of food.
- Deficiency of physical activities due to a sedentary lifestyle.
- Genetics, endocrine ailments, Medical Reasons or Psychiatric Disease
- Daytime sleeping
Symptoms
- Breathlessness even on minor physical activity/exertion.
- Deficiency of interest in doing work.
- Profuse sweating with foul body odor.
- Excessive appetite.
- Feeling of tiredness.
- Excessive sleep.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Obesity
(Beneath the rigorous supervision of Registered Ayurvedic Doctor)
- Ama pachan (oral usage of digestives to augment the Fat-metabolism)
- Ruksha Udwartan (Dry medicated powder massage)
- Heavy and non-nourishing diet/items such as Honey, salad etc are advised.
- Physical activities or mental work is also advised.
- Samshodhana Chikitsa (Purificatory processes):
- Panchakarma
- Virechan (Therapeutic purgation)
- Lekhan vasti (Medicated enema) for the management of Sthaulya.
- Single herb:-
- Guduchi
- Vidanga
- Musta
- Sunthi
- Amla
- Vacha
- Daruharidra
- Varikshamla (garcinia)
- Guggulu, etc
- Mixed herb Formulations: Trikatu, Navak Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu, Vidangadi Churna
Preventive Measures for obesity
Unhealthy diet contributes to building up of adipose tissue within the body resulting in weight gain & obesity. Physical activity lessens the energy imbalance between calories eaten using a single hand, calories expended on the opposite hand leading to weight reduction & obesity.
Thus, intake of Healthy diet consisting of sufficient fibre, adopting active life style and practicing Meditation and Yoga to handle stress and fatigue are highly recommended for the prevention of Overweight / Obesity.
Do some Life Style modifications, for example:
- Mild to Moderate exercise in accordance with individual capacity.
- Regular Brisk morning walk habits for at least 30 minutes.
- Keep yourself away from sedentary work routine.
- Prevent excess sleep, i.e. more than 8 hours.
- Avoid watching television whilst having food.
- Avoid Alcohol intake and Smoking
Do’s:
- Take low-carb and low-fat foodstuffs.
- Steamed, boiled or roasted veggies.
- Take frequent little meals to prevent cravings.
- Drink skimmed milk instead of whole milk.
- Take Healthy foods such as — oatmeal, walnuts, salads, sour gourd (Karela), Drum Stick
- Include cabbage in daily meals. It’s going to halt the conversion of sugars.
- Use warm water for drinking.
- Include lemon in drinks and diet.
Dont’s:
- High-carbohydrate vegetables like — rice, poultry etc.
- More sweet or sour foods, more dairy products, fried and fatty foods, fast foods, excessive salt.
- Salty foods or excess salt in meals
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- Triphala Guggul:- Triphala Guggul tablets aids in healing Vata-related pains, paralysis, sciatica, hemorrhoids, fistula, and bone marrow joints. Triphala is an effective bowel cleanser and balances all three doshas but it has special significance in balancing Kapha and Pitta Dosha while Guggulu balances Vata and Kapha. These tablets are high in anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties also.
Conclusion
Nowadays, obesity is very common and affects a large portion of the population in the whole world. The best method to maintain normal body weight is to consume a balanced diet, daily exercise and adapting healthy lifestyle habits. You can include above mentioned natural herbs in your daily routine to prevent obesity.
Consult a Doctor for Obesity Treatment
If you think you are also suffering from obesity or any of the above given symptoms, you need to consult a doctor immediately. You can book free online consultation with highly experienced Ayurvedic doctor by visiting www.avedaayur.com
