Obesity, or abnormal weight gain, is a common metabolic disorder found in Europe, USA, and in developing countries such as India.  It is one of the oldest documented diseases or conditions.

Definition of Obesity

In simple terms, obesity can be defined as the increased volume of adipose tissue in the thighs, abdomen and chest, where the body vitality decreases and might result in deteriorated health.

Causes

From an Siddha perspective, the key cause is found in incorrect lifestyle and diet choices or habits. When the body’s calorie intake exceeds the number of calories burned, it leads to the storage of excess calories in the form of body fat.

• Absence of physical activity
• Daytime sleep
• High intake of food – especially Kapha-increasing foods, e.g. rich in fat, or foods that take longer to digest such as pork, and sweet, salty or oily foods.

Pathogens of Obesity

From an Siddha perspective, the cause of weight gain is cyclical.  According to Ayurveda, as with any other disease, obesity begins with the intake of incorrect food or the development of improper dietary habits and lifestyle that result in problems with the digestive fire, which in turn increases Ama (bio-toxins).

Increased Ama disturbs metabolic processes to form more fatty tissue (Meda Dhatu Agni) and blocks the formation of the furthermost tissues such as ashti (bones). The poorly formed tissue layers increase unwanted meda dhatu (fats) and cause disturbances in the functions of Kapha.

On the other hand, when Ama blocks the channels of all body tissues, this creates imbalance in Vata.  Vata keeps stimulating the central digestive fire (jatharagni), which causes an increase in appetite so the person eats more and more.  However, due to Meda Dhavagni Mandya (weak fat metabolism), improper or abnormal Meda Dhatu is formed, which is the root cause of obesity.

Obesity Signs and Symptoms

Accumulation of fat in the abdomen, dyspepsia on exertion, lethargy, and increased sweating are early symptoms of the impaired health condition.  Obese people develop excessive hunger and thirst, weakness, loss of vitality, loss of sexual desire and others.

The deposition of excess fat appears on the abdomen and upper body in males and females.

Overweight people suffer from lethargy as body tissues are not properly formed. If symptoms are not adequately treated, various complications occur such as hypertension, increased cholesterol, cardiac disorders, heartburn, kidney infections, diabetes, arthritis, resulting in a decrease in longevity, premature aging, and mental confusion.

Obesity Treatment

In Siddha, obesity is treated not only for weight loss or loss of centimeters, but also in terms of adjusting metabolic processes by reducing Ama and the excess fat to regulate the function of Kapha without vitiating Vata.  To correct metabolism as well as strengthen the digestive and tissue fire and clear body canals, it is important to improve dietary habits and reduce the impact of stress.

Fluid Intake Adjustment

Replace sweet drinks such as carbonated drinks, fruit juices and cold drinks with clean warm water with a temperature of 35-36 degrees. Sipping hot water (at least 48 min) before meals ignites the digestive fire and helps combating pseudo-hunger by allowing the free movement of Vata.  This way hydration can help you break the pathogens.

Fasting with Hot Water

Fasting once a week does wonders for the gut and tones the digestive system.  The breakdown of the harmful leftover un-absorbed food particles begins in the digestive fire. Care should be taken not to raise the batting during fasting. Hot broth of moong dal (a tablespoon of green mung beans boiled in 750 milliliters of water until cooked) can be an alternative to clean hot water.

Conscious Nutrition

When food is eaten carefully, the brain perceives the taste, smell and type of food and sends signals to the stomach to release enzymes and digestive juices to digest the food.  Eating while driving or watching TV, or in meetings, disrupts the digestive process and hinders weight loss efforts.  

Aampachan (Eliminating Ama)

Siddha suggests that it is extremely difficult or perhaps impossible to lose weight in the presence of Ama. Due to this reason people fail to lose weight even when they limit their food intake. Hence, it is important to get rid of Ama first and then work on losing weight.

Herbs that are effective for removing Ama include:

• Turmeric
• Trikatu (Siddha combination of ginger, pepper, and Pippali)
• Triphala (combination of Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki)
• Guggulu (herb for effective purification according to Siddha).