Obesity: Information in Indian System of Medicine

                                                              AYURVEDA
Definition
Ayurvedic Name: Sthaulya
Excess deposition of fat on the body causing discomfort in routine activities and/or adverse effects on health is called sthaulya (obesity).

CausesThe lifestyle, mainly food habits contribute. Heredity is also an important factor in causing obesity.
Dietary habits:
• Over eating
• Intake of heavy, sweets, cold & unctuous food
Life style causes:• Lack of exercise
• Day sleep
• Purposeless cheerfulness & lack of seriousness
• Lack of mental exercise

Preventive Measures

Don’ts (Apathya)
Dietary:
• Over eating
• Heavy, sweet, cold, unctuous food, milk products etc.
• Fried Food
• Preserved, canned food
Lifestyle:• Day sleep
• Physical rest
• Mental rest
• Sluggish routine, lack of exercise

Health Promoting Tips

Do’s (Pathya)
Dietary:• Fresh healthy food at regular intervals
• Low fat diet
• High fiber diet
• Plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits
• Yava (barley), chana (black gram) etc.
Lifestyle:• Gradual increase in night awakening i.e. vigil
• Physical exercise (regular & moderate)
• Mental exercise
• Strong motivation and will to loose weight
Curative Herbs/Animal Product/Mineral
• Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
• Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
• Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica)
• Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica)
• Takrarishta
• Honey
• Shilajatu
• Vidangadi Lauha
 
                                                              UNANI
Definition
Siman-e-Mufrit (Obesity) is condition in which excess body fat accumulates to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and increased health problems.

Causes• Kasrat-e-Ghiza (overeating): Overeating leads to weight gain, especially if the diet happens to be Kaseer-ush-Shahm (high in fat).
• Ghair Mtaharrik Tarz-e-hayat (Sedentary lifestyle) results in Qillat-e-Ihteraq-e- Ghiza (fewer calories’ burn) which leads to accumulation of Shahm (fat) in the body.
• Istehala-e-Bati (slow metabolism).
• Soo-e-Mizaj-e-Barid (cold temperament).

Preventive Measures• Taqleel-e-gGhiza (diet restriction) is most important measure. Ghiza-e-Lateef qaleel-ut-taghziayah (light and low calorie diet) is to be used and Ghiza-e-Kaseef Kaseer-ut-taghziayah (heavy and high calorie diet) is to be avoided.
• Motadil Badani wa Nafsani sukoon (normal physical and psychic rest).
• Motadil Naum-o-Yaqzah
• Keep a balance in Harkat wa Sukoon Badani Wa Nafsaani (body and psychic movement & repose).
• Take Hammam-e-Haar (Hot bath).
• Practice Kasrat-e-Saum (frequent fasting)
• Fasd (venesection)
• Ishaal – As per the individual requirement.

Health Promoting Tips• Riyazat-e-Motadil (physical exercise) is the second most important measure for Tahzeel (weight loss). Physical activity and exercise help burn calories, regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle to maintain a healthy weight for the long term.
• Avoid oily & fatty diets.
• Adopt healthy lifestyle.
• Hot bath at empty stomach
• Diaphoresis
Curative herbs/Animal product• Luke-e-Maghsool Laakh/Luk (Coccus lacca)
• Utraj Lemon (Citrus limon (Linn.) Burm.f.)
• Zeera Siyah Caraway (Carum carvi Linn.)
• Kalongi Black cumin (Nigella sativa Linn.)
• Ajwain Khurasani Henbane (Hyoscyamus alba Linn.)
• Seer Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.)

Regimens• Idrar-e-Arq (Diaphoresis)
• Idraar-e-Baul (Diuresis)
• Hammam-e-yabis (Hot and Dry Bath)
• Riyazaat (Exercise)