ayurvedic treatment for weight loss in kerala

Being in shape enhances your physical appearance and also improves your health significantly. Due to unhealthy lifestyle and other factors, obesity has become a serious health concern nowadays.

Obesity can be treated through proper diagnosis and effective weight management.

Overweight and Obesity

The terms 'Overweight and Obesity' refer to body weight that is greater than what is healthy.

Overweight can be due to extra body fat, extra muscle, bone or water whereas obesity is due to excessive fat accumulation.

Overweight if not controlled, leads to obesity.

Diagnosis

Your Medical History

Your doctor will review your eating patterns, physical activity, weight history, weight-loss efforts, medicines and other health issues.

Calculation of BMI

Body mass index (BMI) is obtained by dividing your weight in kilograms by the square of height in metres.

BMI Values:

Ideal weight: 18.5 - < 25

Overweight: 25 - 29.9

Obese: 30 and above

BMI does not measure body fat directly. So it is not reliable in all cases. Many muscular athletes with low body fat have high BMI.

Precise Measure of Body Fat

Women with waist measurement over 35 inches and men with that over 40 inches are considered obese. Waist-to-hip ratios, skinfold thickness, ultrasound techniques etc. are also used to measure body fat.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are done to rule out certain medical conditions like Hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS) etc. which cause weight gain.

Symptoms

High BMI

Excess fat accumulation around the waist

Shortness of breath

Excessive sweating

Trouble sleeping

Snoring

Skin problems

Back and joint pain

Psychological impact like negative self-esteem

Fatigue

Causes

Energy Imbalance

When energy IN does not equal energy OUT, overweight and obesity develop over time.

Diseases

Diseases that are characterised by hormonal imbalance tend to cause obesity. Hormones help to balance energy levels. Hypothyroidism, PCOS, Cushing's syndrome are examples of such diseases. Some genetic disorders also cause obesity. Osteoarthritis leads to low physical activity and a consequent weight gain.

Medications

Antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiepileptics, birth control pills etc. cause weight gain.

Risk Factors

Unhealthy Lifestyle

Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyle are major risk factors.

Overeating and Unhealthy eating

Eating more calories than you use, food items with high added sugar, too much of saturated and trans fats contribute to weight increase.

Lack of Sleep

Not having enough sleep affects hormones that control hunger.

Acute and Chronic stress

Excessive and continuous stress influences the levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, as a result of which, you eat more. People suffering from depression may overeat to derive emotional comfort.

Age

With age, risk of unhealthy weight gain increases. A slower metabolic rate and less muscle mass are the reasons.

Genetics

Obesity and overweight can run in families.

Unhealthy Environment

Limited healthy food options, inability to afford healthier food, easy access to unhealthy fast-food, limited access to recreational activities also increase the risk of obesity.

Gender

Belly fat is seen more commonly in men than in women. Women with PCOS are prone to obesity.

Treatment for Obesity in Ayurveda

The first goal of Ayurveda is to maintain balance. According to Ayurveda, the root cause of overweight and underweight is the imbalance in the constitution of tridoshas (Kapha, Vata and Pitta- the three forces of the body). Improper digestion or improper metabolism due to excessive kapha and ama (toxins in the body) is the underlying cause of the problem.

How does it work

In Ayurveda, weight management is more about the manner in which food is processed by our digestive system and the impact of liver on anabolic metabolism. Anabolic metabolism leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body (kapha and ama). Catabolic metabolism has to be improved.

First, your doctor diagnoses your body type(prakrithi) and dosha imbalances to decide upon the type and duration of the treatment.

Treatments

Abhyanga

It involves vigorous massage with a specific combination of oils and weight loss herbs. Blood circulation improves and your body is rejuvenated.

Swedana

It is a herbal steam therapy. Toxins are released.

Kizhi

This therapy is carried out with the help of hot medicated pouches. It helps to reduce excess fat.

Udwarthanam

It is a dry powder massage which helps in the removal of cellulite (dimpled skin) and toning of muscles.

Pizhichil

It is an oil bath for muscle tone balancing.

Oral Herbal Medications

They convert excessive fat into energy and improve the metabolism.

Panchakarma

Panchakarma therapies are also administered based on individual requirements.

Exercise

Yoga asanas and pranayama sessions help to lose extra fat.Brisk walking is recommended.

Diet

Well balanced meals in moderate amounts contribute to wellness.

Meditation

Meditation and mantras help in reducing stress.

Treatment for Weight Loss at Jeevess

Jeevess Lekhaneeyam is an effective treatment program for the management of obesity.

The treatment aims at deep body cleansing by which toxins are eliminated out of the body. The doshas are balanced. Excess fat is removed and the fat metabolism is corrected. Wholesome diet, proper exercise and meditation supplement the treatment.

Panchakarma which is one of the proven and effective ways for weight loss is used for the complete cleansing of the body.

Vamana ( therapeutic emetic) and Virechana (therapeutic purgative) therapies involve administering oral medications as a result of which toxins get accumulated in the upper and lower parts of the body.

Vasti is the therapy that ensures the cleaning of all the toxins.

In Nasya, medicated drugs are given through the nasal cavity to detoxify it and balance the doshas.

Raktamokshana cleanses the blood.

Other treatments are also provided as per individual requirement. The duration of the program is two weeks onwards as advised by the doctor.

Ayurvedic treatment for weight loss is realistic and long-lasting. Moreover, it is an extraordinary experience to get revitalized in the lap of Mother Nature.