Ayurvedic Diet for Lifestyle Disorders; Obesity, Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, PCOD & Hypertension

Ayurvedic Diet for Lifestyle Disorders; Obesity, Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, PCOD & Hypertension

1. Obesity (Sthaulya)

Obesity refers to the accumulation of excessive fat within the body that could have negative impacts on health, a decrease in life expectancy and/or a rise in health problems. A significant portion of diabetes, Ischemic Heart Disease, Hypertension, Ischemic Stroke, Osteoarthritis and Cancer burden could be due to excess weight and Obesity.

According to Ayurveda, Atisthaulya (Obesity) is described as an excessive in the accumulation of Meda (fat/adipose tissue) and Mamsa (flesh/muscle tissue) that causes flabbiness of hips as well as the abdomen and breasts. It is considered to be one of the Santarpanottha Vikaras (disease caused by the intake of excessive energy) as per Ayurveda. Medodushti (disorders of metabolism of fat) could constitute one of the risks to Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD).

The Causes

• Increased consumption of energy-dense food items which are rich in fats, carbohydrates and calories.
• Insane eating habits and excessive food intake
• Inactivity and lack of physical activity due to sedentary lifestyle
• Endocrine disorders, genetics, medical reasons or psychiatric illness

Daytime – time to sleep

Signs and symptoms

• Breathlessness can occur even during light exercise or physical exercise.
• Lack of interest in doing work.
• Proud sweating and bad body smell.
• Excessive hunger.
• Tiredness and fatigue.
• Sleeping too much
• Treatment line

(Under strict supervision of a registered Ayurvedic Physician)

Shamana (Palliative) treatment:

• Langhan (Fasting),
• Ama pachan (oral consumption of digestives to increase the metabolism of fat),
• Ruksha Udwartan (Dry massaging with medicated powder),
• Food items that are heavy and not nourishing like salad, honey, etc. are recommended.
• Exercises, mental and physical, are also suggested.

Samshodhana Chikitsa (Purificatory methods):

• Panchakarma
• Vaman (Therapeutic Emesis),
• Virechan (Therapeutic elimination),
• Lekhan vasti (Medicated enema) is recommended for treatment of Sthaulya.
• Single drugs: Guduchi, Vidanga, Musta, Sunthi, Amla, Vaca, Daruharidra, Guggulu, etc.
• Compound Formulations: Trikatu, Navak Guggulu, Triphala Guggulu, Vidangadi Churna, Takrarishta, Navayasa lauha, Arogya Vardhini Vati etc.

Prevention measures

A poor diet can lead to the build of an adipose layer in the body, resulting in weight growth and obesity. Physical exercise reduces the energy gap between calories consumed on the one side, and the calories utilized on the other which results in weight increase and weight. Thus, eating healthy food that is rich in fiber, a vigorous lifestyle, and engaging in Yoga and meditation to reduce fatigue and stress are strongly recommended to avoid obesity and being overweight.

Modifications to your lifestyle, like

• Mild to Moderate exercise based on your individual capabilities.
• Habitual routine of Brisk morning walks for 30 minutes.
• Beware of sedentary lifestyles.
• Avoid excessive sleep.
• Do not watch TV while eating food.
• Beware of Alcohol and Smoking

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Consume low-fat and low-calorie items.
• Consume more protein in order to last more satiated.
• Steamed/boiled and baked vegetables, rather than fried.
• Make sure to eat small portions frequently to prevent food cravings.
• Choose skimmed milk over whole milk.
• Consume healthy food items such as oatmeal, walnuts salads bitter gourd (Karela) and drumstick (Shigru) Barley (Yava ) wheat, green gram (Moong Dal) Honey (Madhu), Indian Gooseberry (Amla) as well as the pomegranate (Anar) along with snake gourd and skimmed buttermilk.
• Include cabbage in your daily diet. It can stop turning sugars into fat.
• Drinking warm water is recommended.
• Include lemon in diet and drinks.

Dont’s

• High carbohydrate vegetables like – potato, rice etc.
• More sweet or sugary foods More dairy products, oily and fried food items fast food, excess salt.
• Salty food items or excess saltiness in meals.

2. Diabetes in Ayurveda

Diabetes is called ‘Madhumeha’ by Ayurveda it is a condition that causes passing ‘honey-like’ or sweet urine. Very ancient Ayurvedic texts including ‘Charaka Samhita’, ‘Sushruta Samhita’, ‘Ashtanga Sangraha’, ‘Madhava Nidana’, ‘Yoga Ratnakara’, etc. contain authentic descriptions of diabetes, even describing it as being one of 20 different types of ‘Prameha’ or “Urological diseases’. Medically speaking, the presence of excessive blood or urine sugar is a condition known as hyperglycemia’. The cause is a decrease in the production of insulin or an increase in insulin sensitivity. Ayurveda acknowledges that a family history can increase the risk of developing diabetes however, a lifestyle that is unhealthy increases the risk of becoming diabetic regardless of genetic causes.

According to Ayurveda, the causes of diabetes are:

• A lot of sweet, salty food items, sour, heavy to digest
• Wine is frequently consumed, and freshly harvested grains
• Oversleeping
• A reduced level of intellectual or mental activity
• Inactivity and lack of exercise
• Obesity
• A lifestyle that is sedentary
• Stress

Ayurveda Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

Despite all the advancements in medical technology there isn’t a definitive treatment for diabetes. An active lifestyle or changes in your lifestyle could be the most effective way to avoid the condition and decrease its effects. Ayurveda is believed to assist patients with diabetes a lot extent, as :

• Traditional medicine is not limited to treating diseases, but also on living a healthy lifestyle in a way that is scientifically proven to remain healthy naturally and avoid diseases.
• Ayurveda is about keeping healthy and fit by living in accordance with nature. It includes practices such as ‘Ritucharya’, or following the seasons’ changes.
• Ayurveda is a system of treatment that is based on the person’s specific body type according to the “tridosha” system and will provide the most effective outcomes for diseases such as diabetes in which the individual’s physiology plays a significant role.
• Ayurveda believes that health is an ideal balance of the mind, body as well in the spirit. This practice can aid in tackling metabolic diseases such as diabetes, where the mental and emotional health are a significant factor.
• Ayurveda believes that diabetes is an ‘Dhatupaka Janya Vikruti or body condition caused by a metabolic imbalance. Therefore, as stated previously, living an appropriate diet and lifestyle is essential to avoid the onset of diabetes as well as its associated complications.

10 Diet tips for Diabetes

Ayurveda believes that diabetes is an illness that is caused by the an excess of Kapha (Type 2,) as well as Vata (Type 1,) doshas. Thus, it has been advised to avoid eating fatty food and dairy products at the highest level. A strict and less saturated diet that includes skimmed milk, buttermilk, three meals a day , seem to be the ideal.

1. It is most effective to improve digestion and reduce Kapha dosha, which aids in with the prevention and management of diabetes.
2. Effectively incorporating spices like Turmeric, Cinnamon, Mustard and Coriander to your daily diet can aid in the effective management of the condition of diabetes.
3. The hot fenugreek drink is not just nutritious, but also helps balance blood sugar levels. Consuming it in the morning with an empty stomach will yield the most effective results.
4. Include bitter vegetables and fruits like amla, bitter gourd and aloe vera into your every day meals is highly effective in treating the treatment of diabetes.
5. A regular intake of water (2 2 liters per day) will help eliminate excess glucose in urine and ensure that we are well-hydrated.
6. Limit sweets and carbohydrates to their maximum.
7. A healthy diet rich in fibre (including beans, carrots, pulses, broccoli beetroots.) can greatly aid with diabetes as it slows digestion, control of blood sugar levels as well as providing a full stomach and reducing appetite.
8. Curry leaves have been proven to boost insulin production and result in normal blood sugar levels within our bodies. Include them in your diet can greatly assist in stopping or reducing the effects of diabetes.
9. Unsweetened yogurt not only offers nutrients but is also known as a food that can lower the risk of developing diabetes through its low levels of carbs and protein.
10. In assessing the hereditary emotional, physical and environmental factors to suggest the most appropriate method of living and the best therapeutic option for every person, Ayurveda can be considered the most holistic and traditional approach to treating diseases such as diabetes.

3. What is the role of the thyroid?

The primary function of your thyroid is to regulate your metabolism by regulating the release and production of hormones that regulate metabolism. In Ayurveda hormones and metabolism are part of the realm of pitta dosha. The function of the thyroid in metabolism is in line with the Ayurvedic notion of Agni or digestive fire.

Thyroid glands are among the most sensitive and important glands in the endocrine system. It responds quickly to stress, which is why the prevalence of hypothyroidism worldwide is increasing rapidly.

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid that is underactive (also known as Hypothyroidism can be described as the second most prevalent thyroid condition and is believed to affect between six and 10 percent of women. The most frequent source of hypothyroidism primary is an autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s Disease.

From an Ayurvedic standpoint the thyroid that is underactive is a kapha disorder. Kapha’s symptoms are slow and heavy that are in line with the signs that indicate an inactive thyroid. Manda agni, or slow metabolism is common among people with kapha as well as those who suffer from an imbalance of kapha.

The signs of Hypothyroidism

• Vertigo
• Weakness and fatigue
• Weight gain is a challenge and it’s hard to shed weight
• Tendency to constipation
• The tendency to feel depressed
• Intolerance to cold
• Hair that is coarse, brittle or dull hair
• Dry, flaking, scaling skin cracked heels
• Split, brittle, curved or nail with ridges
• The puffy, round face
• Puffy eyelids or baggy or droopy eyelids
• Loss or thinning of the upper third of eyebrows, or a lack of hair growth on the lower legs
• Redness of the skin on the front of neck
• Legs and ankles are swelling or puffy.
• Heart rate that is slow at rest (less than 65)

What causes Hypothyroidism

As previously mentioned, autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto’s could cause hypothyroidism. Additionally damage to the thyroid due to thyroiditis, radiation or surgical procedures may contribute. Inadequate iodine content in the diet could cause hypothyroidism or in some instances goiter. There’s also a fascinating connection between thyroid function with the chakra of the fifth, or throat chakra. It is a sign of inability to be honest due to the fact that it’s repressed or blocked.

One of the main causes of thyroid disorders is stress. From an Ayurvedic view, stress leads to an imbalance in vata dosha, which is implicated in the process of all diseases. If stress is caused by excessive tejas or work the body burns ojas and vitality and immunity, leading to auto-immune disorders to develop.

From an Ayurvedic standpoint the three doshas are at play, but hypothyroidism is considered to be an imbalance of kapha. The signs of slow metabolism and weight gain, as well as heaviness depression, coldness and depression are all kapha characteristics. The weight, or the layer of Kapha dosha as well as excess the meda Dhatu (fat tissue) blocks pitta dosha’s ability to perform functioning at a cellular level and thereby affecting the ability to agni.

How to Treat

Every treatment in Ayurveda is customized and based on the primary reason for the disease. The first step is to get rid of the root cause of the disease (diet lifestyle, stressors, lifestyle etc.) then we treat kapha as well as vata doshas.

Everyone can benefit from strengthening their digestion or agni, and taking advantage of the kapha-balancing methods. Focusing on nutrition, exercise in reducing exposure to toxic chemicals and reducing anxiety (vata dosha) is highly beneficial.

Alongside Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle, herbs can also be extremely beneficial. In a research study where patients were given Ayurvedic herbs, every patient improved. In actual fact, 33.3% showed excellent improvements, while significant improvement was observed by 53.33 percent of patients. Moderate improvement was seen in 6.66 percent of patients, and the same percentage of patients. In addition, 6.66% showed mild improvement. It is essential to speak with an Ayurvedic practitioner prior to using herbs.

Your practitioner might also suggest treatments such as panchakarma (Ayurvedic cleansing) as well as meditation, pranayama and yoga to aid in your healing.

A beacon of hope in the Sea of Pharmaceuticals

Although thyroid disorders are increasing in prevalence, Ayurveda offers solutions beyond using synthetic thyroid medication. Ayurveda’s holistic approach can address the root of the problem and restore your body, mind and soul.

4. Ayurveda and PCOD/PCOS

Today 4 out of 7 women experience PCOS, PCOD, infertility , or menstrual issues. Thus, women should adopt a the diet of plants. They should incorporate Carrot, Beetroot and Spinach in their diet. It is possible to make broth and consume it daily at evening for 28 days. It aids in the purification of the blood and corrects the damage on the uterus.

Spices such as Fenugreek, Carom seed in your soups or dals are a great way to help these women.

Chia seeds, flax seeds and pumpkin seeds Sunflower seeds along with Sesame seeds are an excellent sources proteins for those on a an all-plant diet. Cumin Seeds and Fennel seeds can help women avoid UTI. Coriander seeds as well as Cardamom seeds have been found to be the best remedy for cramps during menstrual cycles.

Fruits like Pomegranate and Black grapes can also aid in the purification of blood which transports oxygen and nutrients to the uterus aiding in the repair of injured muscles, tissues, and nerves.

You can also drink the saptashayam-kasayam Sukhumarum Kasayam for 3 to four months. It has been proven to provide excellent results in all gynaecological health concerns. It is recommended to practice it by combining yoga and exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the uterus and pelvic. Asanas, such as Camel Pose, Boat Pose and Butterfly are also helpful in building muscles around the core.

5.  Ayurvedic Treatment for Hypertension

The Ayurvedic approach to Hypertension treatment focuses on finding the cause of the issue and using herbs to eradicate the issue from its root. In order to achieve this it is crucial that digestion improves as well as the digestion fire increased. The toxins in the heart channels must be removed. Relaxation helps keep the mind and body at peace and steady. It is suggested that you do pranayama, meditation, and yoga to soothe your body and mind.

Solutions to decrease hypertension

• It is possible to drink the juice of 3-4 cloves of garlic as well as wheatgrass. Incorporate 10-12 basil leaves into the juice.
• It is suggested that you consume the juice of 1 teaspoon onion with honey. Each day, do this for a week. If you notice improvements in your health then continue for several more days.
• Make sure to keep clean water potable in a copper bottle overnight. Drink three to four glasses in the morning.
• Take a couple of garlic cloves raw each daily. Garlic slows down the heart rate and regulates blood flow.
• Make a paste of 4 leaves from basil as well as 2 margosa (neem) leaves with 4 teaspoons of water. Consume this mixture with an empty stomach the next morning with one glass of water.
• Have a papaya breakfast, and then eat nothing else for at most 2 hours. You must do this for one month.
• Take a glass of juice composed out of beetroot, carrots papaya and cucumber in the early morning.
• Drink one glass of buttermilk two times each day. You can also add 1 teaspoon of garlic paste into it.
• Add 10 grams of watermelon seeds that have been roasted to 2 cups water. Boil the mixture over 15 mins. Drink the water strained every day , both in the morning and at night.
• Herbs that help calm your body and mind and help relieve anxiety

Brahmi: Tea is made by adding a few Brahmi leaves added to it to relieve stress. Brahmi is famous for its stress relieving properties and can also boost concentration.

Bhringaraj: Massage the head using Bhringaraj oil can help to relax the body and mind. Drink Bhringaraj tea to detoxify the body. Bhringaraj can also increase the flow of oxygen to the brain, helping to stimulate the brain.

Jatamasi: The herb is well-known for its ability to cleanse. The herb’s roots can be used to break any blockage that is in the body. Jatamasi is also believed to help bring peace to the mind. The herb is also thought to treat depression. If you have a depressive patient it is recommended to consume 1 tbsp Jatamasi powder and 1/2 tsp Hing. A small amount of loha bhasma could be included to enhance this.

Ashwagandha: The herb is known to be an excellent treatment for insomnia. Ashwagandha is also known to promote sleep that is restorative. The daily intake of 1 teaspoons of dried ashwagandha root powder can help to regulate the energy levels in the body and help reduce anxiety and stress.

Vacha: A thick layer of Vacha powder, mixed with water can be applied to the forehead to ease tension. This can be done one or 2 hours following eating for an effect of relaxation for the entire body. Vacha root is known to have properties to calm, which aid in helping people get a better night’s sleep.