Obesity – An all round problem

Obesity, which was once viewed as the result of lack of will power, or a lifestyle “choice” – the
choice to overeat and under exercise, is now being considered more appropriately by the modern
world as a chronic disease, which requires effective strategies for its management.
In Ayurveda obesity is referred to as Sthaulya, in fact obesity is recorded as a disease in
Charaka Samhita which is dated back as 1500 BC. Charaka has classified obesity as medho
roga. Medas (fat) is considered to be one of the seven dhaatus (basic tissue elements that
govern the body).
Obese patients have been associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality relative to
those with ideal body weight. Even modest weight reduction in the range of 5-10% of the initial
body weight is associated with significant improvements in a wide range of co-morbid conditions.
Definition of Obesity
WHO used Body mass index, which is body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters
squared to define obesity.

Where BMI 18.5 – 24.9 is considered as normal

24.9 – 29.9 is considered as overweight
29.9 – 39.9 is considered as obese and
More than 40 are considered as morbidly obese.

In Ayurveda the functions of Medas is described as “Medaha sneha swedaudhrudatwam pushtim

asthyancha”
The function of medas is to keep body moisturised, promote sweating, to store energy, and to
nourish the bones.
Typical characteristics of an obese person is described as “Medo
mamsativriddhatvaachalasphigudarastanaha”
There will be increase of medha and mamsa, hips, belly and breasts of obese person sag and
they flap as the person move.Other symptoms mentioned in Ayurveda are the person gets tired
easily, with associated wheezing, palpitation, sweating, and state of lethargy or sluggishness.

Causes of Obesity
Modern medicine attributes a person’s eating habits, level of physical activity, psychological
disturbances, binge eating disorders, and some medications as cause of obesity apart from
genetic predisposition.
According to Ayurveda causes of obesity are Avyayama: ie lack of physical activity or exertion,
Divaswapna: day time sleeping, Shleshmala Ahara Vihara – Food and life style which increases
kapha, and Madhura Ahara: over consumption of sweets.With similar diet and exercise pattern
some become obese whilst others comparably don’t according to Ayurveda this can be attributed
to their prakrithis, which is their doshic nature; there are 3 basic types of doshic nature vata, pitta
and kapha. Though all 3 are susceptible to develop obesity, they develop obesity in different
ways. Vata people are generally nervous, anxious and overactive by nature. They tend to eat
more when they are stressed, this inevitably leads to obesity. One of the distinctive marker in
these people are fluctuating body weight. Pitta people very rarely become obese as they have
high metabolic rate and they have good Agni ie digestive fire. But they may develop ravening
appetite leading to obesity. The people with kapha are most vulnerable to become obese due to
their nature, low metabolic rate, and tendancy to retain water.

Complications of obesity
According to Ayurveda obese people are prone to diabetes, kidney related problems, low libido,
skin disease, liver ailments, hepatitis, and low energy levels.
Ayurvedic Treatments
The treatments in Ayurveda depend on the prakrithi (nature) of the person and the vikrithi (
pathology) of the disease.
Some herbs used in Obesity
Ginger (Adraka), bitter gourd (Karela), Gooseberry (Amlaki), Nut grass (Musta), false
pepper(vidanga) , Belleric Myroblan (Bibhitaki), Tinospora Gulancha(Guluchi), Chebulic Myroblan
(Haritaki) to name a few.

Certain Ayurvedic preparations like Trikatu, Guggulu, Shilajit, Thriphala Guggulu, Amrutaday
Guggulu, Arogya Vardhini, Chandraprabha Vati, Varadi Kashayam, Ayaskriti, Lohabhasmam,
Vilangadi Choornam can be used with good efficacy.
Fasting in considered beneficial but care must be taken to avoid fruit juices while fasting;
replacing this with vegetable juice will be advantageous.

Taking honey with equal quantity of hot water is also advisable.

Udvartana: This is a specialized Ayurvedic herbal massage treatment for effective weight
reduction. An herbal powder prescribed by the physician is applied all over the body and deeply
massaged with specific movements. Apart from weight reduction this also helps to remove
cellulite and toxins from the body, and tones the skin & muscles.
It is prudent to lead a hard life, strain oneself, do exercise, avoid rich food, and get regular bowel
movements.
Though these are all treatment aspects the most important thing to remember is to know what
sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has.
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