Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old medical philosophy from India. The word Ayurveda means "science of life" in Sanskrit. This is representative of the holistic nature of the medicine -- it treats a person's emotional, physical and spiritual life, not only the body, as in Western medicine. Ayurvedic nutritionists apply the principles of Ayurveda to treat illnesses with food choices appropriate for a person's specific constitution
Basics
Ayurvedic nutritionists interview a patient and determine her constitution, or prakruti. A constitution is the nature of a person's energy balance based on the three energies, or doshas: Vata, or air; pitta, or fire; and kapha, or water. The therapy involves choosing foods that counteract the dominant energy causing the health disorder. For example, for a case of chest congestion that represents kapha dominance, an Ayurvedic practitioner might prescribe spicy foods to combat kapha's cold nature with heat.
Principles
The principles of the Ayurvedic philosophy include the following: Food should balance the doshas; the time of day food is consumed has a significant impact on health; and your attitude and the pace at which you eat are as significant as the types of foods you eat. An Ayurvedic nutritionist adheres to these edicts when prescribing a diet.
Foods
The foods Ayurvedic nutritionists prescribe are whole and unrefined, fresh, seasonal and preferably, local. The diet consists of a large quantity of vegetables -- approximately 20 to 40 percent, according to the "Yoga Journal." The foods Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe prevent and treat a wide range of illnesses. For example, Ayurvedic food choices prevent and improve cases of food allergies, according to a 2003 study by researchers from the Universal College of Medical Science in Nepal.
Certification
The certification for an Ayurvedic nutritionist involves supplementing an existing health practitioner license with a continuing education course. A licensed massage therapist, yoga instructor, nutritionist, physician or nurse can take a course in Ayurvedic nutrition and clinically treat patients. Another option is becoming a holistic health practitioner or Ayurvedic health practitioner, certifications that include nutritional counseling training.
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