Abstract

PATHYA & APATHYA AHARA IN STHOULYA (OBESITY)

*Dr. Hiteshwar Lonare and Dr. Minakshi Randive

Abstract

Scientific and technological progress has made man highly sensitive and critical; there by giving rise to many health problems. The advancement of industrialization and communication is contributing towards sedimentary life styles, in turn causing chronic noncommunicable diseases like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, ischemic heart disease, cerebro-vascular accidents, atherosclerosis, varicose veins etc. Obesity is the risk factor for these diseases and hence prevention of obesity will decrease the chances of such diseases. Like other diseases, obesity is mostly the result of factors like heredity, environment or food, but it is difficult to decide the involvement of main factor. It is immpossible to change heredity; it is difficult to change environment, but relatively easy to change food habits and life styles. Sthoulya is the nearest clinical entity for obesity in Ayurveda. For causation of Sthoulya, excessive intake of calories with a decreased expenditure is the main reason. In Ayurveda, obese persons are included under AstaNinditapurusha. The reason for difficult nature is the involvement of Tridosha and of Saptadhatu. Pathya recommended in Sthoulya are Purana Shali, Shasthika, Yava, Ardraka, Kulatta, Takra. Apathya recommended in Sthoulya are Ksheera, Dadhi, Masha.

Keywords: Sthoulya, Ahara, Pathya, Apathya.