Wholesome ayurvedic diet and lifestyle for Sthaulya (Obesity): A review article

Abstract

Objective: Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary habit such as excessive intake of fast foods, cold-drinks, liquors, smoking, irregularity of diet intake are the major causative factors for many lifestyle diseases such as obesity, which disturbs physical, mental as well as social health of an individual. The drugs used to treat obesity in modern medical science have several side effects and have a chance of weight gain again after the certain time limit of medication stoppage. The drug therapy is incomplete in itself, so Pathya Ahara (Wholesome diet) and Pathya Vihara (Lifestyle) need to be properly followed to manage obesity. The study aimed to review and categorize the wholesome (Pathya) food articles and lifestyle for Sthaulya (obesity) mentioned in Ayurveda Classics. Data Source: Ayurveda classics (mainly Brihattrayi Classics) were referred to review the wholesome (Pathya) food articles and lifestyle for Sthaulya (Obesity). Review Methods: The food articles and lifestyle mentioned in classics as Pathya (Wholesome) for Sthaulya were reviewed and organized as per various categories of food articles mentioned in Ayurveda. Results: In Ayurveda, obesity has been described as Sthaulya or Medoroga. It is described under the caption of Santarpanottha Vikara. Acharya Charaka has described the use of the Guru and Atarpana diet as a special regimen for Sthaulya. Various categories of diet like fruits, cereals, pulses, vegetables, sugarcane products, alcoholic and fermented food items, salt, oil, and spices, used to prepare food along with lifestyle such as proper sleep, exercise, Yogasana and Pranayama have been advised to manage the obesity. Conclusion: Wholesome diet from various categories of afore mentioned food articles as well as a lifestyle like proper sleep, regular exercise, and practice of Yoga can help to reduce the weight to obese persons.

Keywords

• lifestyle
• obesity
• pathya
• sthaulya
• wholesome diet