Ayurveda is a system of holistic health care that originated in India at least 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda seeks to prevent and treat disease by maintaining balance between the mind, body and spirit through diet, herbal remedies and lifestyle changes. Ayurveda treatments for weight loss aim to promote proper digestion, metabolism and elimination so that nutrients are effectively absorbed and that waste and toxins don't build up in the body.
General Ayurvedic Tips for Weight Loss
Basic Ayurveda principles for promoting healthy digestion and weight management include drinking lots of hot water throughout the day and exercising daily. Make lunch your largest meal, and eat a light dinner that's easy to digest. Avoid leftovers, which are hard to digest. Ayurveda also recommends practicing yoga and meditating daily to keep the body and mind balanced.
Doshas
Ayurveda views excess weight as an imbalance in the three doshas, or basic energy types in the body. The three doshas are present in every person, but one or two are usually dominant. Ayurveda recommends eating a diet that's suited to your predominant dosha. Vata types should eat warm, cooked foods and keep a regular meal schedule. Pitta types do best with dry, heavier foods. Kapha types, who typically have a slower metabolism, should eat baked or grilled foods prepared with minimal oils.
Ayurvedic Herbs for Weight Loss
Ayurveda recommends the use of spices such as ginger, cumin, black pepper fenugreek and turmeric to help enhance digestion. Triphala Guggulu is an Ayurvedic herbal formula specially designed for weight loss. Triphala is a mixture of three fruits with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports that human studies involving triphala are lacking, and that it may cause intestinal gas, upset stomach and diarrhea.
Evidence
A small study of obese people conducted by NutriHealth Systems in New Delhi, India, in 2009 found that Ayurvedic diets may be useful in promoting weight loss. Participants were prescribed a diet based on their dominant dosha, which they followed for three months. Researchers reported that abdominal, waist, chest and thigh measurements were smaller after three months, especially in the pitta and kapha groups, but that more controlled studies are necessary to support these results.
Considerations
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that Ayurvedic treatments are unlikely to have side effects. Talk to a medical professional before beginning an herbal treatment program or a new diet, especially if you're taking medications or are already on a specific diet due to a medical condition. Herbal remedies may have undesirable interactions with some prescription medications.
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