What
is obesity ?
Obesity
is the carrying of excessive weight, usually in the form of fat. The
amount of weight that is considered excessive often depends upon the
culture. Modern Western culture values thinness (a vata or air type
frame). Many eastern and traditional cultures have valued heaviness
(a Kapha or water type frame), indicating affluence or plenty to eat.
Overweight
may not be a disease, therefore, but a condition of holding more weight
than the cultural standard. It should be noted that attempts to stay
artificially thin may be unhealthy and may aggravate vata, the biological
air humor. Overweight truly becomes a disease when extra weight held
is quite high and leads to other health problems (hypertension, diabetes
or arthritis).
Still,
according to Ayurveda, it is better to be too thin than too heavy.
It is easier to build up a person who is too thin than to reduce one
who is too heavy. A heavy body is a good breeding ground for toxins
(Ama) and may reduce the life expectancy.
Causes
of overweight include overeating, eating too much heavy or cold food,
too frequent meals, excessive sleeping, and lack of exercise. Hormonal
imbalances may exist. Emotional factors include attachment, sentimentality
and clinging. Lack of self-esteem can be an important factor. Sometimes
the extra weight becomes a security factor, put on for greater protection
in dealing with the world. Generally, the digestive fire will be weak
in this disease of low or slow metabolism. It is usually a Kapha (water)
disease in Ayurveda.
Weight-reducing
and appetite-suppressing drugs may also suppress the digestive fire
and, over the long-term, further weaken the metabolism. They will
also increase vata (air) and thereby aggravate nervous-type obesity.
We
offer some classical Indian supportive remedies for this disease which
are supposed to be taken strictly under medical supervision. Kindly
Ask a Doctor
