Time to stem the tide of obesity

When your weight is in a healthy range,Your body circulates blood more efficiently .Your fluid levels are more easily managed .You are less likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and other critical ailments. The fundamental cause of obesity and overweight is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health. Globally, there has been an increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and an decrease in physical activity due to the increasingly sedentary nature of work, lifestyle alterations, eating patterns , etc . “Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, progressive disease” which results in increase blood pressure, induce diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It is also a major cause of gallstones, osteoarthritis and respiratory problems.

CAUSES

• A diet high in carbohydrates.
• The frequency of eating.
• Physical inactivity.
• Psychological factors.
• Diseases such as hypothyroidism, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome, and Cushing’s syndrome are also contributors to obesity
• Poor sleep and sleep deprivation.

RISK FACTORS

A complex mix of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors such as Depression, Quitting smoking, Medications ,etc can increase a person’s risk for obesity.

Pathogenesis

In Obese fellow Meda is excessively nourished and remaining other Dhatus get malnourished. Kapha gets accumulated in between. Roll of medicines with dietary correction is to remove obstructed Kapha and let all Dhatus nourish equally. When Kapha increases in abnormal fashion, Fat metabolism gets hampered and person be comes Obese. Ayurveda explains the pathology of obesity as –

1. Increase of Agni – digestion strength, leading to increase of appetite and food intake.
2. Hampered conversion of Medo dhatu to Asthi dhatu, leading to increased production of Medo Dhatu.
3. Imbalance / VItiation of Vata Dosha – leading to increased digestion strength
4. Increase of Kapha Dosha, which is caused by excess sweets, fried food, excess rest etc.

Lifestyle and Behavior Changes

Behavioral strategies may include monitoring weight, setting goals, tracking food and calorie intake and creating an environment at home and work that discourages overeating. Counseling also helps people shore up their ability to deal with temptations and other challenges to their weight-loss plan. Patients are more likely to follow a weight loss routine when guided by a registered dietitian, behavioral psychologist or other trained professional in a healthcare setting, according to the guidelines. Telephone- and web-based weight loss programs also work,

Excersie – Perform 20-30 minutes of moderate exercise five to seven days a week, preferably daily. Types of exercise include bicycling, walking or jogging on a treadmill, stair climbing machines, jogging, and swimming..

FOODS –  Take balanced, nutritious foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meat, fish, grains, and beans.Avoid include red meat, egg yolks, fried foods, high fat/sugar fast foods, sweets, pastries, butter, and high-fat salad dressings, alcohol, soft drinks, and packaged snack foods.

SIMPLE TECHNIQUES

        1. Natural home remedy using lemon juice, black pepper and honey

            1. Take 1 cup of water

            2. Add 3 tsp of lemon juice

            3. Add a pinch of powdered black pepper

            4. Add 1 tsp of honey

            5. Mix well

            6. Drink 2 times everyday for 1-2 months

       2. Natural home remedy using triphala powder

            1. Take 2 tbsp of triphala powder, a commonly available ayurvedic herb

            2. Mix it in 500 ml water

            3. Heat for 5 min

            4. Strain the liquid

            5. You may add honey to taste

            6. Drink this 2 times everyday

Obesity Treatment at Ayurvedagram:

There are remedies in Ayurveda for weight loss and to maintain health for people who are obese or overweight. Deep, dry massages with herbal powders and pastes (Udwarthanam), synchronized massage with specific oils (Abhyanga), and herbal steam bath helps mobilize the accumulated fat; whereas specially designed diet and yoga programs prevent its further accumulation. Appropriate Panchakarma therapies are also administered based on the requirement of the individual. These are carried out based on the practitioner’s recommendations and in the presence of experts. Dhanurasana, bhujangasana, shalabasana, ardhamatsyendrasana, trikonasana and vakrasana are few of the asanas or yoga postures for losing extra fat. This will be more effective when practiced with pranayama and proper diet. Walking and regular exercise helps in maintaining good health. Brisk walk for about half an hour during morning helps in burning excess fat and keeps fresh too. Ayurvedagram has walking/jogging track and gym for this purpose. Concerned practitioner helps to overcome stress, if the cause is stress or depression. Conscious eating habits is very important. Drink a glass of lukewarm water with lime juice and honey daily morning on empty stomach. Eat smaller meals and eat after every three hours. Increase the quantity of fruits and vegetables and low calorie foods. A glass of orange, pineapple or carrot juice and, consuming green gram sprouts is recommended. Salad of raw vegetables such as carrot, cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes and, fruits like papaya and pineapple are good. Use powdered cumin seeds, green coriander leaves, a little salt and some grated ginger mixed in the buttermilk.

Ayurvedic Remedies

Following are the prescriptions to reduce overcorpulence:

Diets and drinks that alleviate vaata and kapha and which can reduce fat. Vasthi karma (ayurvedic special procedure resembling enema) with drugs that are sharp, ununctuous and hot. Intake of Gudoochee (Tinospora cordifolia), Mustaa (Cyperus rotundsa) Hareetakee (Terminalia Chebula), Bibhitaka (Terminalia belerica) and Aamalaka (Embica officinalis). Administration of Takraarishta and pure honey. Intake of Vidanga (Embelia riba), Naagara (Zingiber officinale), Yavakshaara (a preparation of barley containing sodium and potassium bicarbonate), powder of black iron along with honey and powder of Yava (Hardeum vulgarae) and Aamlakee (Emblica officinalsis). Administration of Silaajatu and the juice of Agnimantha(Clerodendrum phlomidis). The ayurvedic method to treat obesity is to go on a heavy and non-nourishing diet and drugs