Obesity – A Jiva Case Study

The Jiva TeleMedicine Center has successfully treated hundreds of Obesity cases, offering long-term solutions to several patients. One such interesting case is that of Mr. Kishan Chawla (name changed), a 35-year-old Obesity patient from Jodhpur, India.

At a height of 5 foot 5 inches, Mr. Chawla weighed 92 kilos – a Body Mass Index that indicated he was overweight. He had been obese for 10 years, but had not found success with any of the treatments he had tried. He had also enrolled into one of the crash dieting programs, but the result lasted only for about six months and he started acquiring weight again. He also had off and on problems of constipation, gas formation, a feeling of lethargy, and memory loss. And, to top it all, he was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism three years back.

Mr. Chawla’s weight had become a constant source of embarrassment for him and when he called the Jiva TMC, he was all set to go under the knife for a liposuction surgery.

Jiva’s Analysis
One of Jiva’s doctors analyzed his case in detail after taking his complete medical history and symptomatic information. The doctor also helped him understand the difference between losing weight naturally and the unhealthy techniques of crash dieting, etc.

Mr. Chawla’s analysis indicated that his problem was caused by the aggravation of Kapha Dosha (Ayurvedic humor representing Water). The aggravated Kapha had led to the production of ama (toxins), which was heavy and dense in nature. Accumulation of these heavy toxins in the fat carrying channels had resulted in excessive production of fat tissues, which was the primary cause of weight gain in his case. Additionally, his digestive power was also weak, and this was the reason for constipation and gas formation in his body.

The Treatment
Ayurveda works on the root cause of disease by personalizing treatment according to the patient’s body type. In Mr. Chawla’s case, the root cause was aggravated Kapha. So, the treatment focused on pacification of Kapha through customized herbal medicines, dietary guidelines and lifestyle recommendations. Secondly, the treatment worked on cleansing the fat carrying channels by eliminating accumulated toxins. Because the patient had a weak digestion, he was also administered Deepan and Pachan treatment aimed at enhancing his digestive fire. In addition to this, he was given nervine tonics for relaxation of mind.

The Result
Within two months of treatment, Mr. Chawla lost eight kilos of weight. His problem of constipation and gas formation was cured completely. He also started feeling active and confident about himself. He is continuing with the medication to lower his weight further and keep it under control.

“I was ready for a liposuction surgery to cut down my excess fat when someone recommended Jiva to me. The best part about my Ayurvedic treatment was that it was personalized to my specific needs. The medicines, diet and lifestyle recommended to me helped in losing eight kilos in just two months. Today, I can confidently recommend Ayurveda to all Obesity patients.”

Is Obesity weighing you down?

Is Obesity weighing you down?
Get the Perfect Solution with Ayurveda

Why do so many people fail at losing weight? Is it because they are addicted to food? No. Is it because they are lazy? No. Is it because they aren’t good at exercising? No. Failure at weight loss stems primarily from ignorance – about the risks of being overweight and the reasons we actually gain weight.

The condition of being overweight, known as Obesity in medical parlance, is soon becoming an epidemic. With more than 500 million clinically obese people worldwide, incidences of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and high cholesterol associated with Obesity are also on a constant rise. According to global estimates, Obesity is the reason for about 80% of type 2 diabetes, about 70% of cardiovascular diseases, and 42% of breast and colon cancers.

The Alarm Bells are Ringing!

• In 2008, 1.5 billion adults, 20 and older, were overweight. Of these over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.
• 65% of the world's population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight.
• Nearly 43 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2010.
• Unless action is taken, by 2020 there will be 5 million deaths attributable to overweight and obesity, compared to 3 million now.
• According to a 2007 survey, approximately 12% males and 16% females were Obese in India.

What is Obesity?

Obesity or being overweight is a condition characterized by excessive storage of fat in the body. When the body’s calorie intake exceeds the amount of calories burned, it leads to the storage of excess calories in the form of body fat. Some of the common symptoms of this disease include increased body fat, breathlessness on exertion, lethargy, excessive sweating with bad odor, and fatigue.

The Overhyped Solutions

Due to the expanse of the media, there is so much misinformation on fitness and weight loss that it becomes hard for a person to cut through all the junk and find out what really works. Also, what works for one person might not work for another, since everyone's body and lifestyle is different.

Frustrated because of their inability to lose weight, most people end up opting for the overhyped solutions – slimming programs, crash diet courses, weight loss instruments, surgical operations, etc. that ‘assure’ you will lose a certain number of kilos in a certain number of days. These programs have been designed to help you lose weight fast. However, in the long-term, they cause health complications such as weakening of the immune system, heart palpitations and cardiac stress, overexertion, loss of heart muscles, and damage to blood vessels, among other problems. These unhealthy ways of losing weight are short-term solutions that ultimately end up weakening the body from inside.

So, what do you do? Where do you turn for help? Well… Ayurveda presents the perfect solution to your problem.

The Ayurvedic View

In Ayurveda, Obesity is known as Medorog, a disease caused by the aggravation of Kapha. Kapha is an Ayurvedic humor representing Water and Earth; it is dense, heavy, slow, sticky, wet and cold in nature. It governs all structure and lubrication in the mind and body apart from controlling weight and formation of all the seven tissues - nutritive fluids, blood, fat, muscles, bones, marrow and reproductive tissues.

In a balanced state, Kapha gives nourishment to these tissues through various micro channels. However, when it is aggravated, Kapha leads to production of toxins in the body. These toxins are heavy and dense in nature and accumulate in weaker channels of the body, causing their blockage. In the case of an obese person, toxins accumulate in Medovahi Srotas (fat channels), thereby leading to an increase in the production of fat tissue (Medo Dhatu). When the body produces more fat tissues, it leads to an increase in weight.

According to Ayurveda, the treatment of Obesity cannot be generalized for every patient. The identification of the root cause of disease is paramount to providing a long-term solution.

Know your Obesity Better – Prakriti or Vikriti

Ayurveda says, Obesity can be the result of Prakriti (your nature) or Vikriti (an imbalance). Once you understand the real cause behind your problem, you will be in a better position to deal with it.

Prakriti

There are two distinct, yet inter-related, classifications of a person in Ayurveda. The first relates to the body, and the second to the mind. Your nature is determined by this combination of body and mind types, and is known as your Prakriti. Knowing your Prakriti helps you to tailor a personal diet and lifestyle that can prevent disease and physical disorders, and obtain peace of mind. It provides you with an understanding of your basic physical and psychological nature, and how to keep it in balance with your surroundings. This is the key to maintaining health.

Every human has varying degrees of the three doshas or Ayurvedic humors – Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water). People with a predominant Kapha Dosha tend to have a heavy or large build. They are often overweight, gain weight easily and have high muscle development (a plump and round structure). These people have a tendency to put on weight easily; in fact, they can put on weight simply by drinking excess water! People of the Kapha type can never be skinny, as opposed to Vata people, who are lean and fit by nature. Even if a Vata person eats six meals in a day, he will not put on too much weight.

Before you jump onto conclusions about your excess weight gain, it is important for you to know your predominant dosha. You can do so simply by taking the VPK Test. Once you know you have Kapha prakriti, you can be sure that Obesity is not a disease for you. Never forget that it is not possible for you to change your elemental nature, and so there is no point of being so worried about your weight. People with a Kapha body type can easily keep their weight under control by taking care of their diet (eating more of fresh food items, fruits and vegetables, etc.) and exercising regularly. Read more about dietary guidelines for Kapha.

Vikriti

In this case, Obesity is caused due to Vikriti or an imbalance in the body. A common myth amongst people is that this disease is the result of excessive consumption of heavy foods or sweets. In reality, a balanced intake of heavy or sweet foods is absolutely acceptable to the body when your digestion is healthy. On the contrary, if your digestive power is weak, your body will not be able to digest even light foods. These undigested food particles lead to creation of ama (toxins) in the body. Accumulation of these toxins in the fat carrying channels finally results in Obesity. In patients suffering from this disease, any food that is consumed eventually converts into fat, aggravating the problem even further.

At the Mind Level

According to Ayurveda, in certain individuals, Obesity can also be the result of disturbances at the mind level. Depression, anxiety, emotional trauma and stress often prompt people to eat more than they need (referred to as ‘comfort eating’). Eating more leads to indigestion and formation of ama. It also increases Tamas (ignorance) in the mind, making the person lazy, sleepy and inactive, and reducing the ability to think clearly and take intelligent decisions.

The Perfect Solution

Ayurveda provides the perfect solution to the problem of Obesity. The treatment starts with cleansing of fat accumulated in the body’s channels using herbal medicines. It then focuses on maintaining the body’s digestive fire. Regular exercises are recommended to keep the body fit and mobile. Ayurvedic treatment therapies, known as Panchakarma, can also be quite effective in eliminating toxins from the body. At the mind level, the solution to this problem lies in enhancing Sattva (purity) by eating fresh foods and thinking positive. Additionally, the patient should try to remove the cause of depression by having a personal counseling session with a doctor.

Certain Ayurvedic products, such as the Jiva Sattva Obesity Healthcare Pack, have been specifically created for Obesity patients. The pack contains herbal powders, tablets and teas that not only clean the fat carrying channels, but also work at the mind level to provide long-term relief to the patient.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Avoid high carbohydrates like polished rice and potato.
• Avoid oily and fried foods, processed foods, fatty foods like butter, cheese, whole-milk yogurt, cream, chocolate, etc.
• Have more bitter vegetables like bitter gourd and the bitter variety of drumsticks
• Replace refined flour with whole-wheat flour and rice with brown rice or parboiled rice
• Increase intake of fruits, salads and vegetables.
• It is very important to engage in daily exercise in the form of walking, jogging, swimming or any other physical activity that is not competitive.
• Try to take a walk in the morning and again in the early evening, working up to 30 minutes or more each time. Increase physical activity by doing more physical chores during the day.

Some Home Remedies

• Take 1 cup of warm water with 1 teaspoon each of lime juice and honey and a pinch of black pepper. Have this on an empty stomach twice a day.
• Mix powdered long pepper, black pepper and dried ginger root in equal quantities. Have ½ teaspoon of this twice a day with lukewarm water.
• Boil 7-8 mint leaves in 1 cup of water for five minutes, and let it cool. Add 1 teaspoon honey and a pinch of black pepper to the cooled mint water and drink it. You can have this preparation 2-3 times a day.

Want to treat your Obesity? Contact Jiva Today!

Are you looking for a long-term solution to Obesity? Call the Jiva TeleMedicine Center at 0129-4088152 (only for patients in India) or write to us at info@jiva.com for a free health consultation from a Jiva Ayurveda doctor.

Ayurveda – In Sync with Nature

We hear about the need for ‘saving the environment’ all the time. Despite knowing everything, what do we really do about it – plant trees, use non-polluting gases for transportation, and organize campaigns like Save Water or Protect Forests? But is that enough? On this World Environment Day, I urge our readers to follow Ayurveda, the world’s oldest science of healing, which helps individuals get in sync with nature to lead a balanced, happy and productive lives.

According to Ayurveda, everything in this universe is the product of different combinations of the five basic elements: Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Agni), Air (Vayu), and Space (Akash). The human body too is physically made up of exactly the same elements that form all of the other entities that inhabit the earth. Ayurveda propounds the principle of natural balance within the body and harmony with the environment. People are seen as an integral part of their habitat – not as a separate entity from the natural world. Obtaining and maintaining balance within the body and mind, and with the external environment, is one of the goals of this knowledge. Living in harmony with nature and according to natural principles ensures complete physical health and peace of mind.

The basic elemental compatibility between the universe and humans tells us why substances found in the natural world (plants, herbs, foods) are usually harmonious with the human system. They can be easily absorbed and cause no adverse reactions or side-effects (if consumed in appropriate quantities) because they are fundamentally the same in character and composition. Foods and herbs are able to repair and restructure humans because they share a common elemental basis.

The nature gives us ample resources to maintain the balance in our bodies and in the environment. However, we seldom make use of them due to our own ignorance. Because we are forever short of time, we prefer to opt for quick-fix solutions instead of giving nature a chance to help us. At Jiva, it is our mission to propagate an Ayurvedic way of life that helps in maintaining health and benefiting the environment. We believe, if every human being adopts Ayurveda as part of his life – eats fresh, natural food, leads an active lifestyle by exercising regularly, practices Yoga and meditation, and uses herbal medicines and products – we can together make a big contribution to the world around us.

To help people adopt an Ayurvedic way of life, I have developed the Jivananda (Jiva means ‘soul’ and Ananda means ‘bliss’) program – a lifestyle regimen that includes simple routines and practices to usher in perpetual happiness into our lives. It uses a balanced and holistic approach that is easy, comfortable and entirely convenient. It teaches people in the busy life of today to lead a natural life. While living a natural life one can experience all the benefits of flowing with the powerfully creative energy force, rather than resisting it, which many do, unconsciously. When one lives a life in accord with natural laws, so much more can be achieved by doing less. This is the supreme style of living.

Let’s take a pledge that we will not just ‘plant trees’ or ‘save water’; we will also do something real and long-lasting to help the environment. Start leading an Ayurvedic way of life with Jivananda and see the difference it makes to the environment you live in.

Wishing you Health and Happiness

Psoriasis – A Jiva TeleMedicine Center Case Study

Monsoon is one of the worst seasons as far as the skin is concerned. Whether you have a seasonal infection or a chronic skin disease, Ayurveda offers the right natural solution for your problem. Through this case study of Psoriasis – a common skin disorder – we would like to highlight how Ayurveda helps treat skin ailments.

The Case

Mr. Kushal Singh (name changed), a 67-year-old retired government official from Kanpur, India, had the problem of cracking of heels from the age of twelve. For the last ten years, he has had red patches of thickened, raised and dry skin on his hands and legs. This skin flaked off sporadically and he even experienced swelling in winters. The patient had additional complaints of constipation, flatulence and anorexia.

History of Treatment

For ten years, Mr. Singh had been taking medicines for his condition. The patient was administered bath solutions and moisturizers, mineral oils, and petroleum jelly to soothe affected skin and reduce the dryness which accompanies the build-up of skin on psoriatic plaques. He was also taking strong medication on a daily basis to keep the problem in control.

On someone's recommendation, the patient called the Jiva TeleMedicine Center to try Ayurveda as an option in addition to his ongoing treatment.

What is Psoriasis?

The Modern View

Psoriasis is a chronic (long-lasting) skin disorder that causes scaling and inflammation. It is suspected to be autoimmune in origin. The scaly patches caused by Psoriasis, called psoriatic plaques, are areas of inflammation and excessive skin production.

The Ayurvedic View

According to Ayurveda, Psoriasis or Mandal can be caused by an imbalance of any of the three Doshas or Ayurvedic humors in the body. In Mr. Singh’s case, the prime doshas involved are Vata and Pitta. Vata symbolizes air or wind and is cold, dry, mobile, and light in nature; Pitta symbolizes fire and is heating in nature. Vata and Pitta manifest in the skin and cause accumulation of ama or toxins. These toxins accumulate in body tissues such as rasa (nutrient plasma),rakta (blood), mansa (muscles) and lasika (lymph). These toxins cause further contamination of deeper tissues, leading to skin conditions like Psoriasis.

Jiva’s Treatment Plan

According to Ayurveda, most skin problems have deep-rooted causes that are often ignored. Use of local creams or antibiotics can only mask the symptoms; they do not provide long-term relief. Therefore, Jiva recommended a customized treatment plan to Mr. Singh that included right diet, lifestyle and some specialized herbal combinations.

The Ayurvedic medicines worked on pacifying the aggravated Vata and Pittadoshas. They also helped in purifying the blood, cleaning the channels of toxins, and rejuvenating the skin cells. This resulted in an improvement in digestion levels and ultimately helped in healing the skin rashes and inflammation.

The Result

Mr. Singh took Jiva’s medicines and adhered to our diet and lifestyle guidelines for ten months. After the treatment, there were no new eruptions in his skin and the subsequent winter passed off very calmly. The patient is continuing with the medicines in order to get long-term relief from his problem.

“Skin disease can be really painful and embarassing. In my case, despite applying creams and taking antibiotics on a daily basis, I could not get a sustainable solution to my problem. I tried Jiva Ayurveda on someone’s recommendation and I would say it’s been like a boon for me. In ten months of treatment, my skin eruptions had stopped completely – something that had not happened in ten years! I am continuing with the medication in the belief that a permanent cure is near.”