"Lifestyle diseases and Ayurveda"

What ?

The Lifestyle diseases are driving attention worldwide, resulting in major cause of death. Most common of them are: Hypertension, Diabetes and Obesity. Heading towards modernization is the main cause leading to this dreadful disease.

How ?

The major causes includes:

1. Eating unhealthy food (junk, processed, canned) and overuse of carbonated and energy drinks.

2. Smoking.

3. Excessive alcohol.

4. Sedentary Lifestyle.

5. Poor sleeping habits.

6. Lack of physical exercise.

7. Suppression of natural urges.

Solution ?

Ayurveda provides better preventive measures from proper dietary management to lifestyle advice's. It specifies the lifestyle diseases as 'Prajnaparada' (willful indulgence in unhealthy practices). Suppression of natural urges accounts to 50% of diseases as there is accumulation of toxins in the body.

Ahara(Food): Ayurveda gives at most importance to the consumption of food. Improper combination of food which leads to most of the diseases is well explained as 'Virudha Ahara' (wrong combination of food). Excessive eating, not eating and improper food habits are the main causes of most of the diseases.

Dinacharya(Daily routine): Ayurveda gives more importance to daily routine as accumulation of toxins gradually occurs.

Physical exercise, which is totally neglected in the present era is also given prime importance in 'Dinacharya'. 45 min of regular exercise plays a major role in preventing lifestyle diseases. Improper sleeping habits of the present generation is also a leading cause for the above.

Rtucharya(Seasonal regimens): Seasonal variations has its own impact on the human body. Hence seasonal regimens are mentioned in Ayurveda to prevent the negative impact of the changes in the external environment.

Panchakarma: This is one of the widely practiced Ayurvedic treatment. Five major detoxification methods have been explained for the removal of accumulated toxins. Periodic detoxification helps in preventing lifestyle diseases. This also helps in rejuvenation of the body.

As Ayurveda plays a major role in prevention of diseases than cure, healthy food and lifestyle is given prime importance. Anything in excess is harmful, hence moving towards modernization should not have negative impact on us. As we all know that, "Prevention is better than cure", lets be healthy and not become a victim of lifestyle diseases.