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Ayurgenomics- Tailoring your information

for personalized medicine

K. Dinesh Kumar, DAAD

Research fellow,
Institute of Developmental
Genetics,
Helmholtz Zentrum, Munchen

Sanskrit and the treasures of

Knowledge of Ancient India
Whatever sphere of human mind you may select for your special
study, whether it be language, or religion, or mythology or
philosophy, whether it be laws or customs, primitive art or primitive
science, every where you have to go to India. Whether you like it or
not because some of the most valuable and most instructive materials
in the history of man are treasured up in India and in India only

Max Muller
(ref: A short History of Sanskrit Literature)T. K. Ramachandra Iyer, R.S. Vadhyar
& sons, 1984

Introduction to Ayurveda
Comprehensive system that places equal emphasis on

the body, mind and spirit, and it strives to restore the

innate harmony of the individual
Ayurveda is the combination of two Sanskrit words
ayu meaning long life
ved meaning knowledge
Knowledge or science of life

Body- Mind Approach

Mind and body were integrally

considered in ayurveda.
Diseases of mind were linked to the
body and vice versa
Aushadhi or Medicines were
identified for the wellness of the body
Mantras were identified for the
wellness of the Mind.

Mantras for the mind

Mantra is defined in Sanskrit as

Manah
Trayate iti or that which protects the mind
Repetition of mantras is known to release
tension and reduce anxiety, hypertension etc
and is followed in many Indian households.
Sanskrit language is called the language of
Mantras where every alphabet is itself a
Mantra.
Aum is called the First Mantra or
Pranava.

Tridosha Theory
Three energies/doshas
Pitta digestion, metabolism, emotions
Kapha lubrication, structure, synthesis
Vata movement, physical and mental function,

degeneration
Individualized combination/ratio of the three doshas

The Ayurvedic approach

Doshas Chart
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DOSHAS = BODY TYPES

Energetic forces that influence nature &

human beings = Tridoshas

Each person is unique and individually made
up of different portions of the five primary
elements: ether (space), air, fire, water, and
earth

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o Light body weight

o Talk & walk quickly
o Creative and imaginative
o Anxiety
o Irregular schedule &
appetite
o Gas, bloating &
constipation
o Dry skin
o Colon disorders including
constipation
o Dryness including dry skin
o Underweight
o Arthritis
o Nervous system disorders,
worry, anxiety and stress.
o And many others...

o Go to bed before 10pm

o Increase bitter, astringent or
sweet taste.
o Avoid heat, intensity &
overexertion.
o Take time off to enjoy life
o Take a break from mental activity
o Avoid self-criticism, criticism of
others

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o Sharp, intelligent mind

o Bright, colourful eyes
o Rosy cheeks

o
o
o
o
o

Judgmental, Critical
Ambitious, Workaholic
Yellow or Red Eyes
Body Odour, Acid Reflux
Hair Loss

o Ulcer or acid reflux

o Bleeds or bruises easily
o Near sighted, sensitive to light,
migraines
o Judgemental, critical
o Any inflammation or sharp pain.
o High Blood Pressure

o Go to bed before 10pm

o Increase bitter, astringent or
sweet taste.
o Avoid heat, intensity &
overexertion.
o Take time off to enjoy life
o Take a break from mental activity
o Avoid self-criticism, criticism of
others

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o Heavier, likes comfort and

food.
o Steady, calm, healthy, strong
o Sweet, loving, kind, loyal,
supportive
o Lack of motivation, bored,
tired
o Slow to change, difficulty
learning but good memory
o Food cravings, possessive
o Overweight, diabetes,
enema
o High cholesterol, blood
pressure
o Depression
o Congestion, colds, heavy
Fever

o Wake up early & exercise

o Avoid meat, wheat and dairy
after sundown
o Avoid salty & sweet taste
o Avoid fatty, fried foods

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Knowing your Dosha

Taking a questionnaire based simple

test will help you determine whether

youre considered a vata, kapha, or
pitta. This will help you take steps
on your own to bring balance back
to the body and mind by cooking
the right foods for your dosha, doing
the right exercises, and calming the
mind through meditation.

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Dosha sample test questions

Body Frame
A. Thin and slender, petite
B. Medium build and good muscle tone
C. Large, stocky, broad
Weight
A. Low body weight with a tendency to lose weight easily or forget to eat
B. Average weight with the ability to gain or lose weight easily
C. Heavier body weight, with difficulty losing weight and finding it easy to gain weight
Hair
A. Dry, frizzy, brittle
B. Fine hair that tends to gray or thin easily
C. A lot of hair thats thick and oily
Complexion
A. Dry, thin, rough
B. Reddish complexion, easily irritated, sensitive
C. Smooth, moisturized, thick

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Eyes
A. Active eyes that are small in size
B. Intense eyes and gaze
C. Large eyes that are soft and pleasant
Joints
A. Pop or crack easily, thin, noticeable
B. Flexible, loose
C. Large in size and padded
Temperature
A. Cold feet and hands and a preference towards warm weather
B. Warm body temperature, with a preference for cooler weather
C. Adaptable, but with an avoidance of wet, cold weather
Temperament
A. Enthusiastic, welcoming of change
B. Intense with a lot of purpose and drive
C. Easy-going and supportive

 Sleep

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A. Light sleeper
B. Sound sleeper without requiring a lot of sleep
C. Deep sleeper who needs a lot of sleep
Under Stress
A. Anxiety and nervousness build up easily
B. Aggressive, easy to anger, argumentative
C. Withdrawing and not wanting to deal with it
Keep in mind that this is a basic quiz and there are more detailed tests Ayurvedic

specialists use, as well as other methods they employ in order to determine what
doshas are out of balance. For example, they may look into your eyes to see how
white or red they are, examine the tongue for colour and texture, and feel your pulse.
Beyond these physical characteristics, your dosha will also affect your mind and
emotions, so an Ayurvedic doctor would also ask you about stress in your life and
how you deal with it, what your childhood was like, what your job is like, and other
questions that can help you figure out whats imbalanced.

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Calculating Your Results

If you answered mostly A, you have a predominance of

Vata

If you answered mostly B, youre a

Pitta

If you answered mostly C, youre a

Kapha

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Ayurgenomics, tailoring ur information.

Towards personalized medicine
Combining

Ayurveda and genomics

Looking for variations in your genetic
material (DNA) that is specific for each
body type, which would be a key to
identify susceptibility for particular
diseases.

Treating Your Dosha

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Vata To balance vata, stick to a routine of waking and sleeping at the same time

every day. Meditate, practice yoga, and indulge in relaxing fragrances. Stick with
sweet, salty, and sour foods, making sure to eat three meals a day. Drink relaxing
herbal teas. Enjoy a daily relaxing massage.
Pitta - If pitta is imbalanced, take time to retreat to nature and spend more time
outside. Meditate and make sure you spend quiet time each day to yourself just to
relax and recharge. Stick with foods that are bitter, astringent, and sweet that help
cool your body. Choose soothing fragrances, indulge in relaxing massages, and
drink herbal teas. Surround yourself in cool colors, such as white, green, and blue.
Kapha - Kaphas should wake up very early in the day and look for opportunities to
change and let go of what no longer serves them. Bitter, astringent, and pungent
foods should be consumed only when hungry. A clean environment and exercise
are necessary. A kapha should also stick with invigorating fragrances and herbal
teas, as well as colors that inspire passion and spontaneity, such as red, yellow, and
orange. And, like the other doshas, meditation and massage are also healing.

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