Obesity
Explanation
Obesity is a condition, which in medical terms can be defined as the accumulation of excess body fat that can affect a person’s health negatively by increasing health problems. It is mostly caused by genetics, excessive food intake than needed for the body to utilize and less physical activity. At any time in India 40% women and 20% men reports that they are trying to lose weight.
Reasons/Causes
The biggest cause of obesity is the excessive intake of rich and sugary food and very less physical activity. Other reasons can be psychiatric illness, medical conditions, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy or genes can also be blamed for it.
Signs/Symptoms
Obesity as per Ayurvedic Concept
Fat is known as Medas in Ayurveda and it is one of the 7 dhatus in the human body. Any change in the equilibrium of these dhatus leads to different diseases. Fat or medas main purpose is to work as a cushion in protecting the delicate organs and also to maintain body heat. Depending on the body type medication is given, like if the diagnosis says body is vaata type then purification procedures like cleansing enemas, external oil application, and whole body fomentation by steaming is provided. If diagnosis is kapha type then for alleviating kapha, external massages are given that consists of different herbal oils and powders. Food that can eliminate kapha is provided.
Lifestyle Guide and Recommended Diet
Homemade Therapies
Obesity is a condition, which in medical terms can be defined as the accumulation of excess body fat that can affect a person’s health negatively by increasing health problems. It is mostly caused by genetics, excessive food intake than needed for the body to utilize and less physical activity. At any time in India 40% women and 20% men reports that they are trying to lose weight.
Reasons/Causes
The biggest cause of obesity is the excessive intake of rich and sugary food and very less physical activity. Other reasons can be psychiatric illness, medical conditions, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy or genes can also be blamed for it.
Signs/Symptoms
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Varicose veins
- Sore muscles and joints
- Irregular periods in women
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Higher stroke risk
- Breathing disorders
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue
Obesity as per Ayurvedic Concept
Fat is known as Medas in Ayurveda and it is one of the 7 dhatus in the human body. Any change in the equilibrium of these dhatus leads to different diseases. Fat or medas main purpose is to work as a cushion in protecting the delicate organs and also to maintain body heat. Depending on the body type medication is given, like if the diagnosis says body is vaata type then purification procedures like cleansing enemas, external oil application, and whole body fomentation by steaming is provided. If diagnosis is kapha type then for alleviating kapha, external massages are given that consists of different herbal oils and powders. Food that can eliminate kapha is provided.
Lifestyle Guide and Recommended Diet
- Honey is the only sweetener that is allowed in moderate amount. Sugar and jiggery is to be avoided at all times.
- Warm water should be preferred over cold water.
- Rice dishes and potatoes should not be consumed. Non vegetarian food is replaced with pure vegetarian mealsthat includes mostly fruits and vegetable salads.
- Whole wheat products are preferred to white flour or refined flour products. Dairy products and sweets made with sugar and milk are to be avoided. Deep fried food, alcohol and cold drinks are also on the not to consume list.
- Vegetables which are bitter and pungent in taste are included in the diet like bitter gourd, bitter variety of snake gourds etc. Full or partial fasting is introduced which includes vegetable and fruit juices in moderate quantity.
- In cooking ghee is replaced with mustard oil or sesame oil and spices like turmeric , ginger, rock salt, black pepper are used.
- More physical and mental activity to be done, too much rest is forbidden.
Homemade Therapies
- Drinking of 4 to 5 cups of green tea is very good in fighting with obesity.
- Taking honey and lemon with warm water and consuming it as the first thing in the morning works wonders.
- Sipping hot water after every meals helps in melting the fat deposits which are accumulated in the body, but there should be a gap of around 30 minutes between the food and the water.
- Mint leaves are very helpful in digestion, adding mint juice in a glass of warm water and consuming it after 30 minutes of food intake helps in digestion and also boost metabolism.
- Boiling fennel seeds for a few minutes and then drinking that water reduces the urge to eat and aids in weight loss.
- Taking a spoon of apple cider vinegar before going to sleep helps in burning body fat while sleeping.
- Chewing curry leaves in the morning every day for a few months’ works wonders.
- Brisk walking for 45 minutes a day helps in reducing weight faster than just depending on the low calorie diet.
- Boiling jujube leaves and drinking that water aids in Obesity treatment.
- Joining a gym for faster weight loss also helps for people who are active and want to get fit faster.