Ayurveda and Obesity(Ayurvedic weight loss)

Ayurveda is a system of medicine with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. Globalized and modernized practices derived from Ayurveda traditions are a type of alternative medicine. In countries beyond India, Ayurveda therapies and practices have been integrated in general wellness applications and in some cases also in medical use.

Yoga which is a combination of physical exercises, meditation and breathing techniques, when combined with Ayurveda helps not only in curing many ailments but helps in prevention of diseases as well.

Guided by Dr. Tina Dias

In this article, Dr. Tina Dias, a registered and certified doctor of CAM, explains how Ayurveda can treat people with obesity. Dr. Tina is the medical director of Medicia Clinic FZ LLC at Dubai Healthcare City. She brings with her the experience, curative, preventive, rehabilitative and palliative care of Ayurveda adding Yogic disciplines, diet consultations, constitutional diagnostic techniques and pulse diagnosis. Her mission is creating many such clinics that blend health and hospitality, and promoting a healthcare system that treats patients in the natural way.

1] What is Obesity?

Ayurveda terms obesity as Meda Roga, which is a disorder of ‘meda dhatu’, which includes fat tissue and its metabolism.

Obesity has now become an epidemic in many countries, and a cause and risk of metabolic disorders. It is a growing concern globally and now people look forward to Ayurveda in treating obesity and as a choice of lifestyle management.

• Obesity is a condition in which there is accumulation of excessive body fat, leading to 20–25% of higher body weight and a BMI between 25–29.9

As obesity is a base cause of metabolic disorders, Ayurvedic practitioners treat obesity with priority.

2] What is Ayurveda’s concept of obesity?

As per Ayurveda, obesity is a condition which arises from an imbalance of many factors:

1] Imbalance of doshas — Vata, Pitta, Kapha i.e body bio-elements and make-up of the constitution

2] Imbalance of Agni i.e digestive fire

3] Imbalance of Malas i.e waste products4] Imbalance in Srotas i.e microcirculatory channels. Ayurvedic weight loss

Ayurveda functions by balancing the doshas and correcting the Agni, which is responsible for food transformation into essential nutrients and bodily waste products, which if vitiated forms ama or toxins, which through circulation blocks the microcirculatory channels called srotas.

So, the Ayurvedic treatment would be administered after proper evaluation and treating the cause of obesity to manage the condition properly.

3] Can Ayurveda help in weight loss?

Ayurveda treats the factors causing obesity. We look into the person’s diet and caloric consumption on daily basis, by understanding the lifestyle, environment, work culture and other possible factors that can lead to obesity.

Also can lead to obesity. Also we try to understand, whether there are any underlying problems like low thyroid functioning, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or whether the patient is under any medication or suffering from any sleep related disorders. Post pregnancy weight gain is also seen in many women.

4] What are the treatments advised in Ayurveda? (Ayurvedic weight loss)

Ayurveda has external treatments like ‘Udwartanam’ which is deep friction therapy, or wet medicated powder therapy as an anti-cellulite therapy.

The person undergoing this treatment is benefitted in many other ways along with timely weight loss. Also, there are no side-effects from this treatment.

The patient is benefitted as his/her skin gets toned and no signs of obesity will be visible, exfoliation of skin takes place, thus improving lustre and complexion, removes cellulite, loosens the fat molecules and eliminates them from subcutaneous levels and removes kapha toxins from the body.

It is very important that one must not regain the lost fat again. With Ayurvedic therapies, the patient will not gain the weight he/she has lost. Once the therapy is stopped they should follow proper diet and exercise.

Dhanayamla dhara, as the name suggests ‘dhanya’ or cereals cooked together and poured in lukewarm condition as a steady flow all over the body. This is used as a slimming treatment, it also benefits conditions like aches and pains and improves complexion among other things.

5] What treatment model do you follow at Medicia?

We call our slimming treatment BSP or Body Slim and Shape Programme, which includes 4 treatments:

• External therapies designed as per individual requirement

• Internal treatment to treat the cause and excess weight

• Diet, nutrition and lifestyle modification counselling

• Supportive treatment, stress management session and exercise and therapeutic Yoga

6] What kind of weight loss or results have you seen in your practice?

I have seen patients lose 5 kgs weight in a month without regaining it and without any side effects.

Apart from treating obesity, we are able to show results in patients suffering from diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and blood pressure associated with weight gain.

We are able to put back smile on those faces who feel awkward facing the crowd being overweight.

Along with weight loss, it’s important to keep the kilos off and make sure not to regain it. As everyone knows, weight loss varies from person to person. We ensure that the treatment is given only after ascertaining the body constitution of the individual. Some people might show weight loss in kilos while others might lose the inches. Some lose very fast while others face initial difficulties in losing weight.

Obesity Awareness Tips

• Overeating is dangerous to health

• Belly heaviness and burps are a sign of overeating

• Eat right foods with the knowledge and at the right time

• Sleeping immediately after a meal is unhealthy

• Internal digestive power must be given consideration

• Total caloric value of meals in a day must be calculated

• Yes to day and all foods causes obesity — Learn to say NO

7] In the modern times, are people serious in following proper diets?

As per Ayurveda, diet regimens play a very important role. It’s all about eating right kind of foods at right time, understanding the caloric value of the food.

We advise our patients to understand and follow the hunger clock and basically to satisfy the physical hunger and not the mental hunger or cravings. Through this one rule, every person can treat his own obesity.

We must all understand our digestive power and eat accordingly, water also requires its own time for digestion.

I personally follow Ayurveda and go by the concept — Eat and fill half of your stomach with solids, 25% with liquids and leave 25% empty so that you eat and drink can mix well and digest well. Take your next meal after the previous one is digested.

Also, I advise my patients to satisfy their cravings in the form of a small trial at times or else the mental craving will turn so strong that one ends up eating huge quantities.

Do your grocery shopping with proper knowledge of food ingredients and its contents along with nutritional value and calorie understanding. Do not buy what you feel can put you in state of craving and can be harmful to your body and your health.

Cook or order foods that are required to satisfy your hunger and do not overeat. Over-eating leads to toxin formation or ama, which when circulated in body, causes various diseases.

8] How safe is Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic therapies and its medicines have either plant, animal, mineral or metal content in them. They must be used under medical supervision and expert guidance.

One must not try any over-the-counter medicines with little or no knowledge about the medicine as it can give side-effects if wrongly administered.

Ayurvedic doctors do a detailed study about the patient’s constitution, disease and its stage etc, after which medicines are prescribed.

Dr. Tina Dias

Medical Director

Medicia Clinic FZ LLCBuilding No: 40Clinic No: 04, Ground FloorDubai Healthcare City, UAE

📞 Telephone: +971 4 564 6010

📱 Mobile: +971 50 502 7927

🌐 www.mywellnessyoga.com