Obesity - How Ayurvedic Remedies Can Help?

India is getting fatter & fatter day by day!

Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide with increasing rate in adults & children. Obesity is more common in women than men. Obesity is a major public health problem which is not only confined to developed countries but has now become an important health problem in developing countries.  In India it has reached epidemic proportion with morbid obesity affecting 5 % of country’s population. India has the 2nd highest number of obese children in world. Obesity not only affect physical health of person but also affect mental and social health. Hence its important to look after your weight in time.

According to ayurveda obese person comes under ashtanindit purushas .

Definition :-

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health.

Acc to Ayurveda sthaulya is caused by meda dhatu vikruti.

मेदस्तु चीयते तस्मादशक्तः सर्वकर्मसु |

क्षुद्रश्वासतृषामोहस्वप्नक्रथनसादर्ने: ||

युक्तः क्षुत्स्वेददौर्गन्ध्येरल्पाप्राणोsल्पमैथुनः |

Acharyas have explained the hazards / bad effects of sthaulya on ones life and they are

1. Ayushyabhas – Because of over production of meda dhatu other dhatus quality and quantitative production get hampered and the medo which is produced is also of not optimum quality hence
2. Early jeriatrics
3. Loss of libido
4. Weakness/ fatigue
5. Excessive sweating, hunger, thurst.

The basic cause of obesity is combination of excessive food intake, lack of physical activities.

Symptoms :

• Weight gain - excessive sweating
• Breathless ness - tiredness
• Snoring - joint pain
• Low confindence - depression

It also gives rise to complications like hypertention, high cholesterol, heart problems, diabetes etc. In addition to day -to-day health problems, many people also experience psychological problems.

B.M.I does not directly measure body fat but it is useful tool to assess the health risk associated with being obese. BMI is calculated using formula wt in kg/ height 2 (m).

Along with that other measurements such as waist size, abdominal girth, thigh girth, chest girth, are used.

Treatment and prevention :-

Changing your lifestyle plays important role in treating obese patient. For weight reduction wholestic approach including diet, exercise, medicines plays imp role. Losing weight and keeping it off is very challenging because lifestyle and behavioural changes are required. to maintain a healthy weight requires lifelong chances in eating and exercise habits.

Ayurvedic line of management helps to reduce weight as well as also helps to maintain healthy weight. It breaks down the body’s tendency to regain weight.

Ayurvedic line of treatment :-

1. Diet
2. Exercise – Surya namaskar, asanas , brisk walking etc
3. Internal medications – Sliming solution, Medohar guggulu, Medopachak Etc
4. Panchakarma – Vaman, Virechan, Basti, Udvartan

प्रजागरं व्यवायं च व्यायामं चिन्तनानि च |

स्थौल्यामिच्छन्वरित्यक्तुं क्रमेणाभिप्रवर्धयेत ||

In case of medorogas its very important to keep control on exercise, diet and staying awake for late night and sex (intercourse). But it is necessary to follow these things in particular patter otherwise it can harm oneself.