OBESITY is a dreaded word, and for good reason. It is associated with serious diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer. The health consequences range from increased risk of premature death, to serious chronic conditions that reduce the overall quality of life.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is commonly assessed by using body mass index (BMI), defined as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2).

The obesity-energy link

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is the principal acid of the fruit rinds of Vrikshamla (Garcinia cambogia), and it has been found to limit the synthesis of fatty acids in the muscles and liver.
Overweight and obesity are a result of energy imbalance over a long period of time, which results from extra calorie consumption, decreased calories used (reduced physical activity) or both.

Personal choices concerning calorie consumption and physical activity can lead to energy imbalance. Energy imbalances are also seen in cases of increased cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia).

The causes of energy imbalance may be due to a combination of several factors. Individual behaviours, environmental factors, and genetics all contribute to the complexity of the obesity epidemic.

Obesity – the Ayurvedic perspective

Obesity is one of the eight undesirable physical conditions described in Charaka Samhita, one of the Ayurvedic texts. It is known as Athisthaulya in Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda, the causative factors in obesity are bad lifestyle habits, which include excessive intake of food rich in proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and food that is not freshly cooked, lack of physical activity and increased sleep during daytime. Obesity also can be inherited.

Ayurveda advises therapies aimed at reducing body weight such as dry powder massage and intake of food that is free from fat and spice.

Intake of foods such as honey and ginger, which are low in fat and reduce fat accumulation in the body, are encouraged. Other foods that are recommended in the treatment of obesity are barley, green gram, horse gram, snake gourd and hydromel (honey mixed with water).

Changes in lifestyle habits such as reducing sleep during daytime, increasing physical activity, indulging in mental calisthenics, all of which are to be undertaken in a gradual manner, are recommended.

Various herbs such as Vrikshamla (Garcinia cambogia), Guggulu (Commiphora wightii), Meshashringi (Gymnema sylvestre), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), and Medhika (Trigonella foenum-graecum) are also recommended for the treatment of obesity.

Vrikshamla

Garcinia cambogia is a yellowish pumpkin-shaped tropical fruit tree native to the country of India.

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is the principal acid of fruit rinds of Vrikshamla, and has been found to limit the synthesis of fatty acids in the muscles and liver and thus arrests fat production by inhibiting the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase. With no further synthesis, the existing fatty acids are gradually used up, resulting in reduction of body weight1.

Guggulu

This is a small tree or shrub with spinescent branches. Its gum resin is used in Ayurvedic medicine and is considered to have astringent, antiseptic and antisuppurative (reducing the formation of pus) properties. In various studies, Guggulu has been shown to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, factors concerned with the management of obesity. It also assists in burning fat2.

Meshashringi

Gymnema sylvestre is a woody climbing plant that grows in the tropical forests of central and southern India. Its active constituents include two resins (one soluble in alcohol), gymnemic acids, saponins, stigmasterol, quercitol, and the amino acid derivatives betaine, choline and trimethylamine.

The active principle of this plant is gymnemic acid. It is a mild diuretic and has the property of abolishing the taste of sugar and neutralising the excess sugar present in the body3.

Haritaki

Terminalia chebula is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb. Numerous studies have documented the potent cholesterol lowering activity of Terminalia chebula4.

Medhika

Trigonella foenum-graecum is much used in herbal medicine, especially in North Africa, the Middle East and India.

In Ayurveda, the seed and leaves are known for their cholesterol-reducing, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, carminative, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, galactogogue (milk producing), hypoglycaemic, laxative, parasiticidal, restorative and uterine tonic effects.

Medhika has potent anti-diabetic activity. Various studies have documented the anti-hyperglycaemic activity and the herb has been shown to reduce plasma glucose levels and increase muscle glycogen resynthesis, thereby normalising the energy metabolism in the physiological milieu5. Treatment with Medhika was also found to lower serum and tissue cholesterol levels in experimental studies6.

Obesity is surely a cause for concern. Nevertheless, the weight gained can be shed by following simple lifestyle measures and supplementing with medicines and herbs.

References:

1. Berkhout A., Havekes LM, Pearce NJ and Groot PHE. The effect of (-)-hydroxycitrate on the activity of the low-density-lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase levels in the human hepatoma cell Hep G2. Biochem. J. (1990): (272), 181

2. Nadkarni, KM. Indian Materia Medica, Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, (1992): (2), 970.

3. Nadkarni, KM. Indian Materia Medica, Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, (1992): (1), 596.) (Nadkarni, KM. Indian Materia Medica, Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, (1996): (1), 598.

4. Shaila HP, Udupa, SL, Udupa, AL. Hypolipidemic activity of three indigenous drugs in experimentally induced atherosclerosis. Int. J. Cardiol. 1998; 67(2):119-124.

5. Grover, JK, Vats, V, Yadav, SS. Pterocarpus marsupium extract (Vijayasar) prevented the alteration in metabolic patterns induced in the normal rat by feeding an adequate diet containing fructose as sole carbohydrate. Diabetes. Obes. Metab. 2005; 7(4): 414-420.

6. Annida, B, Stanely Mainzen Prince P. Supplementation of fenugreek leaves lower lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. J. Med. Food. 2004;7(2):153-156.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, November 19th, 2005 @ 10:21 pm on the category Uncategorized .,