Obesity - Ayurvedic Remedies For It!

Obesity is the condition in which body fat is accumulated in excess quantity. It may create negative impact on health. BMI is Body Mass Index. It is calculated as the subject's weight in kilograms divided by square of height in meters. 18.5 to 24.9 is the normal range. Obesity is commonly caused by excessive food intake, wrong habits of eating, Lack of exercise and genetic susceptibility.

Impact of obesity on Reproductive System in females:

Because of the complexity and cyclicity of the female reproductive system, and it's complex relationship with obesity; Obesity is more complicated in women than in men.

Obesity in childhood causes:

• Early onset of puberty.

• Menstrual Irregularities like scanty periods, irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding etc.

• Polycystic Ovarian disease

• Dermatological problems like Acne, Hirsutism

• Increased insulin resistance.

Obesity in Reproductive age:

• Menstrual disturbance, hormonal imbalance.

• PCOS

• Anovulatory cycles

• Infertility

• Poor response to fertility treatments and IUI and IVF

Obesity in Pregnancy:

• Risk of misscarriage

• increased chances of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

• Gestational Diabetes

• Caesarian section

Obesity in Perimenopausal age:

• Pelvic organ prolapse

• Stress urinary/ Urge Incontinence

• Joint pain, arthritis

• Some kinds of cancer

The influence of female hormones on Obesity:

• Hormonal fluctuations across female lifespan may explain the increased risk for obesity in women. Hormonal changes during menstrual cycle affect calorie and macronutrient intake and 24 hr energy expenditure. Hormaonal medicines have varying impact on body weight and fat distribution.

• Pregnancy is significant factor in developing obesity.

• Menopause is also a high risk time for weight gain in women. There is also hormonally driven shift in body fat distribution from peripheral to abdominal at menopause.

• Abdominal fat is an endocrine organ producing adipokines and inflammatory factors that impact particularly on liver metabolism altering levels of triglycerides and increasing insulin resistance, this may lead to development of metabolic abnormalities, hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes, increased cholesterol level, abnormal fat distribution, and cardiovascular diseases.

Obesity in Ayurveda

• The Charak Samhita states that Obesity is the most challenging out of eight undesirable physical constitutional elements.

• It is difficult condition to balance because it must be treated with reduction therapies, which become challenging due to increased appetite.

• Our modern diet and lifestyle is showing obesity numbers to rise, ris and rise.

There are 8 particular challenges for Obese persons

• Deficient Longevity

• Slowness in Movements

• Excessive sweating

• May emit bad, fleshy smell

• Excessive hunger

• Excessive thirst 

• Weakness

• Difficulty in sexual intercourse.

Obesity Progression according to Ayurveda

• Excessive intake of sweet, salty, cool food, meat, low quality food, fried food, sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, day sleeping, excessive eating etc cause obstruction. This obstruction of kapha dosha blocks movements in digestive system and vata dosha is trapped in abdomen. This results in increased digestive power (Agni), creating more and more hunger.

• Low quality Dhatus (Body elements) and excessive fat that is raw and unprocessed is therefore produced; hence Obesity.

Overview of Ayurvedic Treatment

Restoration, rebuilding and balancing Agni (Digestive Power) with rejuvenation of body and mind form the basis of Ayurvedic Treatment of Obesity.

• Langhan Chikitsa (Reduction Therapy): This is detoxification and removal of Ama (toxins created due to undigested food), which can be done through ayurvedic medicines and Panchkarma. According to severity ayurvedic medicines and Panchkarma can be advised.

• Establishing A Balanced Long Term Diet Plan: A diet plan is given according to indivisual constitution and seasonal variations.

• Medicines: Intake of medicines that are pungent, bitter, and astringent can be helpful. Medicines such as guggulu, cinamon, trikatu, triphala, shilajit, turmeric, garlic, vrikshmla, tulsi, neem, senna, gokshur, chitrak, fennel, gurmar etc. Ayurvedic classical medicines such as Medohar Guggul, chandraprabha vati,  arogyavardhini, mahayograj guggul etc ara helpful when taken under proper guidance.

• Other Therapies: Udvartan, massage, steam, pind/patraswed are helpful when performed under guidance.

• Exercise & Pranayam 

If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an Ayurveda.