Ayurvedic medicine looks at weight gain as the result of an energy imbalance. Although an imbalance in any of the three ayurvedic energies, vata, pitta or kapha, can lead to weight gain, you are most at risk, says Prokerala.com, if your dominant energy is kapha, the earth and water energy. Regardless of its cause, however, an ayurvedic treatment for weight gain centers on natural and healthy weight control methods rather than medications and quick weight loss diet plans
Principles
An ayurvedic treatment for weight gain follows three basic principles that include controlling your eating habits, avoidance of factors that cause you to gain weight and participating in a regular exercise program . To accomplish this, your doctor will design a lifestyle strategy specific to your dominant energy and individual needs. In general, your lifestyle plan includes recommendations that according to HolisticOnline.com help to calm your nervous system, improve digestive efficiency and better regulate energy and fat storage.
General Treatment Guidelines
Eight general treatment guidelines apply to all three energy types. These guidelines mainly focus on ways to improve digestion, help you feel better about yourself and ultimately help you lose weight. They include spacing meals at least four hours apart to make sure you fully digest one meal before eating another and keeping prana, or energy, focused on digestion by closing books, shutting off the television and sitting down during mealtime. Choose as many fresh foods as possible, chew and swallow one bite before taking another and to help you eat less, wait a minimum of five minutes before deciding whether you truly want that second serving. Above all, make mealtime enjoyable.
Dietary Guidelines
Ayurveda stresses healthy weight loss methods and eating foods that are easy to digest. Your treatment plan will include recommendations such eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and avoiding processed foods, foods with added sugars, carbonated drinks, whole milk dairy products and meats. Select one day each week to refrain from solid food and instead consume a liquid diet that includes fruit or vegetable juices, soups or tea. While dietary guidelines discourage drinking water before or after meals, Prokerala.com notes that you should include several glasses of lukewarm water mixed with a teaspoon of fresh honey and the juice of one-half a lime, each day
Exercise Guidelines
The type of exercise your doctor recommends will depend on your dominant energy. For example, if your dominant energy is vata, then tai chi, yoga, dance aerobics and weight training are appropriate. If your dominant energy is pitta, outdoor activities such as hiking or outdoor sports are good and if you are kapha energy, vigorous activities such as running, dancing, hiking, swimming or triathlons are most appropriate.
Scientific Evidence
The results of a study published in the 2009 January-February edition of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" advises that although more research is necessary to confirm findings, energy specific diets provided to 200 participants showed promising results, leading to a tentative conclusion that these types of diets may be useful in promoting weight loss.
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