E-ISSN:2456-3110

Research Article

Prakriti

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 8 August
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

An inclination of Prakriti towards Obesity - An Observational Study

Singh J.1*, Ram M.2, Mishra S.3, Mishra M.4
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.8.7

1* Jagriti Singh, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Samhita Evum Sidddhanta, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

2 Manohar Ram, Associate Professor, Department of Samhita Evum Sidddhanta, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

3 Shweta Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

4 Manish Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Kayachikitsa, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Sthaulya described as notorious disorder is mentioned by Acharya Charaka in Ashtauninditia Purusha. Acharya Charaka and Vagbhatta mentioned that Karshya (thin) is better than Sthaulya Vyadhi, however involvement of Vata and Pitta, cannot be neglected. Kapha Dosha is associated mainly due to its Ashrayashrayi Sambandha to Meda. In this study, we have tried to evaluate the interrelationship between Prakriti and Sthaulyta. More prevalence of Sthaulya in patients having Kapha predominant Prakriti pointed towards involvement of Kapha Dosha in pathophysiology of Sthaulya. Study also shows that people of urban areas are more obese than that of rural areas, because of unsystematic diet, junk food, lake of exercise, disturbed life style etc. Individual with Kaphaj Constitution have smoothness of organs and joints, clarity of complexion, firmness, compactness, and stability of the body.

Keywords: Sthaulya, Ashtauninditia, Kapha, Karshya, Srotas, Medsara

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Jagriti Singh, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Samhita Evum Sidddhanta, Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Email: 		Jagriti Singh, Manohar Ram, Shweta Mishra, Manish Mishra, An inclination of Prakriti towards Obesity - An Observational Study. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(8):49-52.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2582

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-07-01 2023-07-03 2023-07-10 2023-07-17 2023-07-23
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 17%

© 2023by Jagriti Singh, Manohar Ram, Shweta Mishra, Manish Mishraand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2023;8(8)49
Singh J et al:An inclination of Prakriti towards Obesity An Observational Study

Introduction

It was postulated that if treatment was given on Mool (root) of a Srotas of a particular Dhatu given medicines act directly on the disease. Medsara what is the important of Prakriti in handling of Obesity is a big question, whose answer is in front of us, but has never been observed from research point of view.[1]

It is a possibility that people who belong to Kaphaj Prakriti are happier in their skin and energy with well performing Agni. When they are observed and contrast to that Pitta and Vata Pradhan people and specially Pitta (Vata has high chances of leanness) more morbidity and low Agni when they fall into Obese category. The idea was to filter them out based on how much there troubled with their conditions and how many of them feel all the symptoms of Meda Dushti or Sthaulya Dushti. The conclusion was drawn that Pitta Pradhan students were in more morbid state than any other Prakriti and the Kaphaj obese were very happy in their skin, feeling happy, energetic with very less symptoms of Sthaulya Dushti.

Prakriti: The word Prakriti is made up of Pra + Kruti. Pra means the beginning, commencement or source of origin and Kruti means to form or original form or original sources.

Prakriti is built up of genetic and acquired traits. The genetic traits depend upon Shukra and Shonita.[2] Prakriti is of 7 different types: (1) Vataj Prakriti (2) Pittaj Prakriti (3) Kaphaj Prakriti (4) Vataj Pittaj (5) Pittaj Kaphaja (6) Kaphaj Vataja (7) Sam Prakriti.

Obesity: Obesity may be defined as an abnormal growth of the adipose tissue due to an enlargement of fat cell size (hypertrophic obesity) or an increase in fat cell number (hyperplastic obesity) or a combination of both.[3]

For practical purposes and among both children and adults, Body Mass Index (BMI) is now widely used to assess Obesity (Guillaume.M.1999)

Vata in pathogenesis of Obesity

Etiological factors vitiate vat causing disturbed transportation of Vayu which resulted uneasiness, restless, disturbed mood and irregular appetite leading to primary symptoms of Obesity.


Pitta in pathogenesis of Obesity

Vitiation of Pitta due to the etiological factors resulted hunger and also disturbed eating habits. Pitta affects eating sense and increase tendency to eat noxious food such as sugar, coffee, fat, oil, and meat which increases weight and flabbiness

Kaph in pathogenesis of Obesity

Vitiated Kaph slow down metabolic process, enhance weight gain tendency, disturbed hormonal regulation, causes fat deposition, decreases digestive fire therefore vitiated Kaph may be considered responsible for Obesity.

Proposed Samprapti

Hetu

↓

Vitiation of Dhatu, Dosha and Meda

↓

Meda obstructed Srotas (Margavarodha)

↓

More vitiation of Vata Dosha

↓

Sustained release of Vayu

↓

Appetite increase

↓

Disproportion of intake and output of energy

↓

Obesity[4]

Aim and Objectives

1. To understand relationship between Obesity and Prakriti.

2. To understand sobriety in morbidity in individual Prakriti.

Materials and Methods

  • An observational proforma had been prepared based on Ayurveda. we have surveyed around 800 students of 5 different schools and filtered out 200 students who fell into Obese category.

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2023;8(8)50
Singh J et al:An inclination of Prakriti towards Obesity An Observational Study
  • A questionnaire including BMI, Prakriti assessment (AyuRythm and Prakriti chart), symptoms of Obesity as mentioned in Samhitas.[5]

BMI Categories: The following table shows the standard weight status categories associated with BMI ranges for adults-[6]

Below 18.5 Underweight
18.5-24.9 Healthy
25-29.9 Overweight
30 and above Obese

Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the study

Inclusion Criteria

1. Age - 30-35 years

2. BMI - 30-35 Kg/m2

3. Stable body weight for at least 3 months before study.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patients with any amount of smoking or using any form of tobacco or any other type of addiction.

2. Patients with history of stroke or Chronic liver disease.

3. Any history of alcohol consumption.

4. Pregnancy, lactation.

Observation

During the health checkup camp in 5 different school, we came across 3 schools and 2 Post graduate teaching Institutes. We came across 800 students out of which 500 students fell into healthy overweight category, out of which 200 cases with help of BMI card fell into obese category. Among which we found 120 patients fell into Kaphaj Prakriti, 60 patients fell into Pittaj Prakriti, 5 patients fell into Vataj Prakriti and rest of all were Sam Prakriti.

Symptoms Prakriti
Ayushohrasa (Diminution of life span) Pittaj
Daurbalya (General debility) Pittaj
Excessive thirst Pittaj
Kriccha Vyavaya (Difficulty in sexual act) Kaphaj
Javoparodha (Lack of enthusiasm) Kaphaj
Daurgandhya (Foul smelling of body) Pittaj
Swedabadha (Distressful sweating) Pittaj
Kshudhatimatra (Excessive hunger) Pittaj
Pipasatiyoga (Excessive thirst) Pittaj
Symptoms No. of cases
Ayushohrasa (Diminution of life span) 25
Javoparodha (Lack of enthusiasm 40
Kriccha Vyavaya (Difficulty in sexual act) 20
Daurbalya (General debility) 80
Daurgandhya (Foul smelling of body) 10
Swedabadha (Distressful sweating) 15
Kshudhatimatra (Excessive hunger) 11
Pipasatiyoga (Excessive thirst) 8

Discussion

Obesity is the most menacing lifestyle disorder in Ayurveda, and it is equated to Sthoulya. Concept of Prakriti can be applied for manifestation and prognosis of diseases. Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha dominant Prakriti were analysed according to characteristics found in subjects.

Conclusion

Through this article, we have tried to evaluate the interrelationship between Prakriti and Sthaulyta. Individual with Kaphaj constitution have smoothness of organs and joints, clarity of complexion, firmness, compactness, and stability of the body.

Reference

1. K.R. Srikantha Murthy, Sharangdhara Samhita Purvakhand Reprint Edition-2017 Chaukambha Orientalia Varanasi, Page No-107 (Sh. Pu 7/65).

2. K.R. Srikanth Murthy, Susruta Samhita Vol-1, Reprint Edition-2017, Chaukambha Orientalia Varanasi, Page No-78 (Su. Sha.4/36).

3. Hedge Gajanana, Kumar Prajwal, Bhat Priya. Sthoulya and its prevention in Ayurved”. Journal of Biological and Scientific Opinion. Volume 2

4. Priyavat Sharma, Charaka Samhita Vol-1 first Edition 2014 Chaukambha Oreintalia Varanasi, Page No-145 (Ch. Su. 21/5-6)

5. @ayurthym.com.

6. Google Search, http/www. WHO Obesity and overweight html.


Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences 2023;8(8)51