Topic of the Month

Obesity

Obesity is a condition in which individual is significantly overweight. Excessive bodyfat is accumulated on the belly, buttocks, breasts and thighs. An individual is considered obese when weight is 20% (25% in women) or more over the maximum desirable for their height. When an adult is more than 100 pounds overweight, it is considered morbid obesity.

In ayurveda, Charak Samhita describes eight different types of bodies that are disease prone. Out of these, the obese body is described as ‘Medoroga’ the one afflicted with the most diseases and troubles. Obesity is the condition or physical state of the body when excessive deposition of fat takes place in the adipose tissue.
Extra fat puts a strain on the heart, kidneys, liver and the joints such as the hips, knees and ankles and thus, overweight people are susceptible to several diseases like coronary thrombosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, gout, liver and gall bladder disorders. Chief cause of obesity is overeating, irregular eating habits and not following the rules of eating or mixing non-compatible food items in one meal.

Common causes

• Consumption of more food (specially heavy, sweet, cooling food) than the body can use
• Excess alcohol intake
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Genetic Factors
• Some diseases like, Hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, depression and certain neurological problems

Pathogenesis/ How the disease is created: - (in Ayurvedic Principles)

Body is made of 7- Dhatus {Rasa (Lymph), Rakta (Blood), Maans (Muscle), Meda( Fat), Asthi (Bones), Majja (Nervous System) Shukra (Reproductive System)}. But in Obese fellow Meda is excessively nourished and remaining other Dhatus get malnourished. Kapha gets accumulated in between. Roll of medicines with dietary correction is to remove obstructed Kapha and let all Dhatus nourish equally. When Kapha increases in abnormal fashion, Fat metabolism gets hampered and person becomes Obese.

Important points for loosing weight :

• Controlling eating habits
• Regular exercise
• Avoiding excess consumption of alcohol
• Avoid sedentary lifestyle

Health risks associated with obesity :

• Bone and cartilage degeneration (Osteoarthritis
• Coronary heart disease
• Gallbladder disease
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• High total cholesterol, high levels of triglycerides (Dyslipidemia)
• Respiratory problems
• Several cancers
• Sleep apnea
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes

Definitions of Obesity for Adults :

For adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by using weight and height to calculate a number called the "body mass index" (BMI). BMI is used because, for most people, it correlates with their amount of body fat.

• An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight.
• An adult who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Definitions for Children and Teens :

For children and teens, BMI ranges above a normal weight have different labels (overweight and obese). Additionally, BMI ranges for children and teens are defined so that they take into account normal differences in body fat between boys and girls and differences in body fat at various ages.

Herbs which is useful :

Garlic / Lasun (Allium Sativum):

Garlic acts as an appetite suppressant as it gives the brain signals of satiety when it is eaten. Hence, a person would be less inclined to eat. Garlic also increases the body’s metabolism. Garlic is supposed to stimulate the nervous system to release the adrenalin hormone – thereby increasing the metabolism. High metabolism can in turn help you to burn calories and lose weight.

Since garlic helps in weight loss, it can be used in cooking or can also be used on salads. Eating garlic bread and other garlic products can also be helpful for losing weight.

Buy Garlic / Lasun Capsule - 60 capsules pack size

• Early morning - A glass of hot water mixed with the juice of half a lemon. 
• Breakfast - Moong (green beans) sprouts and one cup skimmed milk.
• Mid morning- A glass of orange, pineapple or carrot juice.
• Lunch - Salad of raw vegetables such as carrot, beet, cucumber, cabbage, tomatoes. In case you can not digest raw vegetables, either steam or boil them. Whole grain bread or whole wheat chapatis and a cup of yogert. 
• Mid afternoon - Coconut water or dry fruits or lemon tea or vegetable soup.
• Dinner - Whole grain bread or chapatis, steamed vegetables and any seasonal fruit.
  
  It is adviseable that obese people to reduce their total daily calorie intake and to consume more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. It is important that your diet is varied - you still need to feed yourself, and should continue to enjoy the tastes of different foods. The consumption of sugar, certain refined carbohydrates and some fats should be reduced significantly.

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