The Problem- Obesity
Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat in the body. It is a condition where the natural energy reserve stored in the fatty tissue increases to a point where it is associated with certain health conditions or increased mortality.
The Causes of obesity
The most obvious cause of obesity is eating more than the body needs or when food energy intake exceeds energy expenses; fat cells all over the body take in the energy and store it as fat. Other factors that contribute to obesity are genetic factors and genetic disorders, eating disorders, a causal illness, consumption of certain medications, leading a sedentary lifestyle, a high glycemic diet (i.e. a diet that shows gives a high post prandial blood sugar reading), stress, etc.
In Ayurveda every human being is a matchless phenomenon of cosmic energy, which exhibits itself by the three crucial elements or the Tridosha which are Vata – Air, Pitta- Fire and Kapha – Water. Each individual’s structure has its own exclusive balance of these three energies. When this “doshic” balanced is disturbed it leads causes damage to normal bodily functions leading to various health disorders and diseases.
Obesity is cause due to difference in Kapha – Water Energy. As per Ayurveda, people with Kapha (Water) constitution are more likely to gain weight through excess fat than a Pitta (Fire) or Vata (Air) person. Person who has an imbalance in their Kapha energy have to take that little extra care to avoid putting on those unwanted pounds
Obesity and Ayurveda
In the Ayurvedic texts, ‘Charakacharya’ has described eight ‘nindya prakruties’ (undesirable constitution) of the body; obesity is one of them and is described as ‘Medoroga’. In an Obese person individual Medas (Fat) is excessively nourished and remaining other Dhatus get underfed. Kapha gets assembled in between. When Kapha grows in irregular fashion, Fat metabolism gets vulnerable and person becomes Obese.
Ayurvedic weight management
Ayurvedic treatment for Obesity is attained through a combination of:
Panchakarma therapy – Includes five types of therapies, which are mostly used for cleansing or elimination of toxins. For weight loss Virechana (Purgation Treatment) or Basti (Medicated Enema) are suggested, lying on the individual health.
Diet management – It is not only the quantity of food that is essential, but also the kind of food one eats. One should eat the correct food, cooked the Ayurvedic way in the right quantity and at the correct time.
Udvartana Massage – Here herbal paste and powders are applied all over the body and deeply massaged with specific movements. This massage tones the skin, loosens fat molecules, removes cellulite and removes them from the subcutaneous level and removes Kapha toxins from the body.
Herbal supplements – Medicines can be of great benefit in weight control without the negative side effects of conventional drugs. These medicines improve fat metabolism in an obese person.
Therapeutic Yoga – Yoga not only helps one lose weight but also enhances the healing potential of Ayurveda.
Pranayamas – Are the Ayurvedic breathing techniques, which brings about tremendous benefits, such as increased energy, increased perception and development of various brain faculties.
The Ayurvedic weight loss program, besides the immediate weight-loss, cleans out toxins from your body and allows it to function more efficiently promoting an overall feeling of health and wellness.
The quick Treatment
The quick Treatment – There is no such thing. Slimming pills, liposuction, Fad diets, surgery, etc. none of them offers a permanent solution. Ayurveda instructs us to create simple and permanent lifestyle changes by helping us understand what our body wants, it instructs us to make a promise to our body and follow through with goals. This helps us grow respect for our bodies enabling us to enjoy every second of life. In reality if maintained, yet weight loss of as little as 10 percent of body weight can improve one’s health