N UTRITIONAL I SSUES

AYURVEDA

IN

N.SRIKANTH
A S S I S TA N T D I R E C TO R

C E N T R A L C O U N C I L F O R R E S E A R C H I N AY U RV E D I C S C I E N C E S

D E PA RT M E N T O F AY U S H
M I N I S T RY O F H E A LT H & F A M I LY W E L FA R E
G OVERNMENT OF I NDIA
1

S CIENCE

OF

N UTRITION

Nutrition : Food and its relation with health

Dietetics : Planning of meal for the well and
sick
Nutraceuticals often referred to as
phytochemicals or functional foods are
Natural bioactive

Chemical compounds
that have

Health Promoting

Disease Preventing

Medicinal Properties

THE PRODUCT OF

N UTRITION

Nutrition forms the Basis

for Etymology of
Human body as indicated in Ayurveda
Kaya: Growth &Development
Deha: Nutrition Dynamics
Sareera

-Nutrition
- Anabolism

: Nutrition Dynamics - Catabolism

Aharasambhavam vastu rogaschaharasambhavah

-Charak Samhita, Su. 28:45

F OOD SUSTAINS THE LIFE OF

LIVING BEINGS

Complexion clarity
Good voice
Longevity
Genuineness
Happiness
Satisfaction
Nourishment
Strength
Intellect

H ISTORICAL P ERSPECTIVE

E VOLUTION
Period

OF

S CIENCE

OF

N UTRITION

Remarks on changes

IN

I NDIA

Literature

3000 BC 1000 BC

Importance of food
Nutrition Discipline and
Conduct
Nutrition dynamics Vs
Pharmacodynamics

Vedic texts

3000 BC 1000 BC

Signifies the universal dietetic

regimen in ancient civilized society

Upanisadas

1500 BC 500 AD

Organized as well
developed science
Dedicated Chapters
Nutrition Vs Dietetics
Nutraceutics
Nutrition dynamics Vs
Pharmacodynamics

Ayurvedic Texts
Charaka Samhita
Sushrut Samhita
Astanga Samgraha

500 AD1900 AD

Separate texts on Nutrition

Prophylactic Nutritional
interventions
Clinical Nutrition
Expansion of Use

16 major Nighantus
(like Dhanvantari
Bhavprakasha, Raja upto
Shaligram)

T HREE FACTORS OF H EALTH

Nutrition -Ahara

Lifestyle -Vihara

Drug intervention -Aushada

R EORGANIZATION O F AYURVEDIC
C ONCEPTS

There is a growing interest in Nutraceuticals

which provide health benefits and alternative
to medicine

The concept of using foods as health

supplements to improve the Quality of life

Prophylactic use

Therapeutic use

is clearly dealt by Ayurvedic scholars vast

information can be traced in classical literatures

S CIENCE OF N UTRITION IN
AYURVEDIC T EXTS

10

Prime importance
Structured Science
Nutrition Dynamics
Nutrition Discipline
Prophylactic Nutritional
interventions
Nutraceuticals
Dietetics
Recipes
Vast description
Separate Texts
Dedicated Chapters
in Major Texts

AYURVEDIC T EXTS ON
N UTRITION

11

Vaidya Jeevanam
Charu carya
Bhava Prakash
Kasyapasamhita
Dedicated Chapters

Charaka Samhita
Susruta Smahita
Astanga Samgraha

B ASICS OF AYURVEDIC
N UTRITION

12

Most health problems

Wrong eating habits
Faulty cooking methods
Ayurveda deals with the Pathyavyavastha (planning of
diet:dietetics) in a scientific and holistic way based on
certain principles
Emphasis on

Processing
Quality
Quantity
Psychological condition
Status of health and digestion
Age
Season
habitat

N UTRITION D YNAMICS

13

Agni

13 Factors of Digestion, Nutrition &

Metabolism

Jathragni
Transformation
GIT Level

Food digestion in stomach & GIT is initiated by

major Jathragni.
This can be equated with enzymes, hormones and
secretions of digestion.(1)

Dhatwagnies
Transportation
Selection
Tissue level

Nutrition & tissue metabolism is carried out by

seven Dhatwagnies at various tissues of body (7)

Metabolic
Phenomenon

Bhutagnis
Therefore from gross to subtle level,
Micro-digestion and bio-transformation at cellular,
Regulation of
subatomic and elemental levels is carried out by

The status
and nutrition
Micro Nutrition
Bhutagnis
at geneoflevelhealth
(5)
depends upon the status of Agni
Organ level
Highly Selective

14

N UTRITION D YNAMICS
Ayurvedic Principles

Comparison

Ksheera Dadhi Nyaya

Transformative process
GIT and Tissue level

Kedarakulyaa Nyaya

Transportation process
Tissue and Organ level

Khale kapotha Nyaya

Selective process
Organ Level

Ekakala dhatu poshana

Siddhantha

Regulation of Metabolism
Molecular /Gene level

15

F OR

N UTRITION D YNAMICS
R ASAYANA A PPROACH
O PTIMUM N OURISHMENT

Rasayana Effect :Clinical Nutrition

Rasayana
Rasa
(Nutrient Value
of plasma)

Agni
(DIGESTION
Metabolism)

Srotas
(Microcirculation
and Bio availability)

Improved Nourishment
Improved quality of Tissues

Longevity
(Jaranasa)

Immunity
(Vyadhi Nasa)

Rejuvenation

Mental Competence
(Medha Vriddhi)

16

C ATEGORIZATION OF B ASIC
F OODS IN AYURVEDA (12)
1. Sukandhanya (corns with bristles)
2. Samidhanya (pulses)
3. Mamsa (meat)
4. Saka (vegetables)
5. Phala (fruits)
6. Harita (salads)
7. Madya (wines)
8. Ambu (water)
9. Gorasa (milk and milk products)
10. Iksuvikara (products of sugar-cane)
11. Krtanna (food preparations)
12. Aharayogi (accessory food articles)

F ORMS OF D IET

17

4-FORMS
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

6- FORMS
i. Cusya (chewables) as
Asita (eatable)
sugarcane, pomegranate and
oranges
Lidha (lickables)
ii. Peya (drinkables) as mild and
other beverages
Pita (beverages)
iii. Lehya (lickables) as Honey
Khadita
iv. Bhojya (partially masticables)
(masticables)
as rice etc.
-Charaka samhita v. Bhaksya as Ladukam (sweet)
vi. Carvya (masticables) as dried
fram (Canaka) as other fruits
-Bhavaprakasa

18

PATHYA -P ROPHYLACTIC AND

T HERAPEUTIC ASPECTS OF AYURVEDIC
D IETETICS
Prophylactic and Promotive Nutrition

If wholesome diet is given in a planned way then

what is the need for separate medicinal treatment

Clinical Nutrition

if unwholesome diet is being permitted, the

advantage of treatment becomes questionable
Pathye sati gadartasya komaushadhanishevanaih;
Pathye-asati gadartasya kimaushadhanishevanaih.
(Vaidyajivanam 1:10)

PATHYA -W HOLESOME
N UTRITION

19

Congenial to the body tissues

Relished by the person

Keeps healthy
Homoeostasis of Physiology
Conducive for mind and intellect
Prevents diseases

Pathyam patho-anapetam yadyachchoktam manasah priyam;

Yachchpriyamapathyam cha niyatam tanna lakshyet.
-Charak Samhita, Su. 25:45

20

PATHYA -W HOLESOME N UTRITION

A DVOCACY ON CONDUCIVE FOOD FOR
REGULAR CONSUMPTION

21

PATHYA -W HOLESOME
N UTRITION

T HREE F ORBIDDEN F OODS

22

S. No. Food Article

1
Pippali
2

Impact of excessive use

Derangement of
Piper longum homoeostasis of Physiology
Lavana
Premature greying of hair
Salt
Hair fall
Alopecia
Wrinkles of the skin
Kshara
Harmful to Heart
Alkaline Food Diminished vision
Premature greying of hair
Hair fall

A CCEPTABILITY OF W HOLESOME
D IET : PATHYA

23

Ayurvedic Advocacy Interpretation

Matra

Quantity

Kala

Time or season

Kriya

Mode of preparation or cooking

Bhumi

Habitat or place/climate

Deha

Constitution of person

Desha

Body (Microcosm)
Environment
Climate (macrocosm)

12- CONSIDERATIONS DURING FOOD INTAKE

D VA D A S H A A S A N A V IC H A R A

24

P ROPHYLACTIC N UTRITIONAL ADVOCACY

Food Profile
1

Food with cold property

(Shita guna ahara)

Food with warm property

(Ushna guna ahara)

Food with unctuous property

(Snigdha ahara)

Indications
Pitta prakriti
excessive thirst
burning syndrome
alcoholism
bleeding diathesis
emaciated persons
Kapha prakriti
Parkinsons diseases s
bio-purification therapy
vata prakriti
emaciated
excessive physical acts

25

TWELVE CONSIDERATIONS DURING

FOOD INTAKE

D VA D A S H A A S A N A V IC H A R A

P ROPHYLACTIC N UTRITIONAL ADVOCACY

Food Profile
4

Ruksha ahara
(Rough and coarse food)

Drava ahara
(Liquid diet)

Shuska ahara
(Dry diet)

Single diet in a day

Diet twice a day

Indications
diabetes
obesity
kaphaja constitution.
dehydrated
excessive thirst
emaciated
diabetes
wounded
skin diseases
weak digestive capacity
normal digestive capacity

26

TWELVE CONSIDERATIONS DURING

FOOD INTAKE

D VA D A S H A A S A N A V IC H A R A

P ROPHYLACTIC N UTRITIONAL ADVOCACY

Food Profile
9

10
11

12

Aushdhiyukta ahara
(Diet
containing
medicines)
Mitahara
(Diet in small quantity)
Shamana ahara
(Palliative diet)
Samanya ahara
(Average normal diet)

Indications
who do not want to take
medicines alone
those who are unable to do so
decreased digestive capacity
tridoshika considerations
season (ritu)
climate (desha)
perfectly healthy
whose doshas are in the state
of equilibrium

N UTRITIONAL A DVOCACY
IN D IFFERENT S EASONS

27

Season

Nutritional
Advocacy

Other Practices

January-February
(Sisira)
March-April
(Vasanta)
Grisma (May-Jun)

Salty, Nutritious diet

Woolen blankets, protection

against cold
Massage exercise fomentations

Sweet, Light and Oily

July-August
(Varsa)

Astringent, Sweet,
Sour, Salty and Oily

September- October
(Sarada)

Light and Dry food

Sweet, Astringent,
Oily -specially ghee,
milk sweets, rice and
its preparations
November-December Sweet and Sour
(Hemant)

Seasonal fruits like amra ( Mango),

Jambu (Jammu) and cold air
Avoid stagnant water in
surrounding area and sleeping on
ground
To sit in moon light in the first
quarter of night

Massage Exercise

N UTRITIONAL

28

S. No. Taste
1

Sweet
(Madhura)

Sour (Amla)

Astringent
(Kashaya)

D IFFERENT
TASTES OF F OOD

IMPACT OF

Metabolic Impacts

Tissue nourishing Nourishing/

bulk promoting
Hair tonic
Nourishing
Wound healing
Galactogogue
Nourishing/ bulk promoting
Cardio-protective
Wound healing

N UTRITION D ISCIPLINE
29

Q UALITATIVE AND Q UANTITIES

D IETETICS

N UTRITION D ISCIPLINE
30

Q UALITATIVE AND Q UANTITIES

D IETETICS

N UTRITION D ISCIPLINE
31

Q UALITATIVE AND Q UANTITIES

D IETETICS

P ROPHYLACTIC N UTRITIONAL
(R ASAYANA ) INTERVENTIONS AT
D IFFERENT A GES

32

Age and desired Effect

Nutritional /Rasayana
intervention to combat
Sequential loss

Balya(0-10)

Convolvulus pluricaulis
Celastrus panniculatus willd)

Growth(11-20)

Withania somnifera
Sida cordifolia Linn.

Beauty(21-30)

Emblica officinalis Gaertn.)

Intellect(31-40)

Celastrus panniculatus willd

Convolvulus pluricaulis

Skin health(41-50)

Eclipta alba Hassk

Vision (51-60)

Cassia absus Linn.

33

I NDIVIDUALIZED N UTRITION A DVOCACY

VATA C ONSTITUTION

Nutritive, strengthening

Sweet, salty taste

Fresh, warn moist and soothing.

Frequent and regular meals

Avoid fasting or dieting

Creamy soups, hot cereals, bread, pasta with rich

sauce containing butter or cream

34

I NDIVIDUALIZED N UTRITION A DVOCACY

P ITTA C ONSTITUTION

Sweet biter and astringent

Prefer cool foods and drinks

Vegetarian diet

Adequate intake of raw food and juices

avoid pickles, vinegar, chilies, vegetable oils,

bakery product, canned foods, instant foods and
hybrid grains etc.

Avoid fasts.

35

I NDIVIDUALIZED N UTRITION A DVOCACY

K APHA C ONSTITUTION

Light, with pungent, bitter and astringent taste

Warm, light, dry and with hot spices.

Low fat, high carbohydrate diets

Occasional fating

Avoid frequent eating

Avoid Cold water and frozen edibles

36

P ROPHYLACTIC AYURVEDIC N UTRITIONAL

I NTERVENTION IN P REGNANCY
Antenatal
Prophylactic Nutritional Intervention
Period
1st Month teaspoonful of Yastimadhu(Glycyrrhiza glabra) powder
2nd Month (Liquorice powder) boiled in a Glass of Milk by adding sugar
3rd Month A Glass of Milk with 2 teaspoonfuls of Honey and Ghee
4th Month Old rice &with Curd.

Glass of milk with 1 teaspoonful of butter and Sugar

5th Month 1 teaspoonful of butter and Sugar in a Glass of Milk .Desired
food taken along with sufficient quantity of Milk and Ghee.
6th -7
2 gms. Powder of Gokshura (Tribulas Terristris), boiled in a Glass
Month
of Milk, and with 2 teaspoonful of Sugar
8th Month Khichadi prepared from old rice and green gram with Ghee and
Milk. Use adequate quantity of Milk .
9th Month teaspoonful of Yastimadhu(Glycyrrhiza glabra) powder boiled
in a Glass of Milk.

P ROPHYLACTIC N UTRITIONAL
I NTERVENTIONS IN PAEDIATRICS

37

1
2
3

Age

Nutritional Interventions

Rationale

Immediately
after birth
Immediately
after birth
Immediately
after birth

Jata karma Chanting the mixture honey

and ghee
Swarna prashana Oral consumption of
fine paste of gold
Bacopa monnieri
Acorus calamus,Convolvulus pluricaulis
Sida cordifolia,Saussurea lappa
Asparagus racemosus
Honey + Butter + Hemidesmus
indicus,Cynadon dactylon)/Gold

Immune mechanism

1st day

2nd day

Ghee medicated with herbs

3rd day

Colostrum of breast milk + ghee + honey

1st month or
3rd month

Surya Chandra Darshana :Exposure to

external environment

8
9

6th month
10th month

Phalaprashana: Introduce different fruits

Annaprashana: Introduce different
cereals and pulses in the diet of the child

immunity, intelligence
Immunity, intelligence,
energy etc.
Promote Higher Mental
Functions and CNS
Promote Higher Mental
Functions and CNS
Promote Higher Mental
Functions and CNS
Vitamin - D3
Nutritional Demand
Nutritional Demand

N UTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY D ISORDERS IN

I NFANTS & AYURVEDIC A DVOCACY

38

Condition
1 Marasmus

(Bala sosha)
Protein Energy
Malnutrition: PEM

Kwashiorker

(Parigarbhika)

3 Osteomalacia
(Phakka roga)

Nutritional Management
Nutritional intervention to Mother
Panchakarma : Abhyanga (massage) with Vaca taila
Drug intervention:
Improve the appetite
Sneha pana to improve weight and strength
Symptomatic management
Whole some nutritive food
Drug intervention:
Improve the appetite
Whole some nutritive food
Shodhana (bio- cleansing) of Mother
Snehana (oleation) for a week followed by
Virecana (purgation)
Oil massage
Drug intervention
Medicated milk and ghee along with Whole
some nutritive food
Supportive therapy
Practice of walking with the help of tricycle
(Tripada rad ha cakra)

N UTRITIONAL CAUSES OF
M ETABOLIC D ISORDERS

39

Diseases

Nutritional Causes

Nutrition Advocacy

Diabetes
( Madhumeha)

Excessive use of
Milk & milk
products
Fresh grains
Jaggery/
sugar/
sugar cane

Dyslipidaemia/
Obesity
(Medo roga)

Pre diabetics may include in their diet the

articles like
Barley, old wheat, horse
gram, green gram, red gram
sesame seeds, peas, bitter
gourd, garlic, ginger, piper
longum
Unripe banana, ,butter milk,
dates, Water melon, lotus
root, drum stick
Dry food articles
Red variety of rice
Horse gram
Green gram
Barley

Excessive use of
Milk & milk
products
Fresh grains
Jaggery/
sugar/
sugar cane
Salty and
Nutritional Anaemia
pungent
(Pandu)
food
Alcohol

Unripe Banana
Ash Gourd
Mango
Goose Berry
Iron Supplements

C LINICAL NUTRITION
PATHYA K ALPANA

40

Recipes

Uses

Manda

Health promotion

Peya

Prophylaxis

Vilapi

Therapeutic

Yavagu

Krisara

Post Bio-Cleansing
Regimen

C LINICAL N UTRITION
PATHYA K ALPANA

41

Clinical Nutrition
1

Manda (Liquid Form)

Uses

Carminative
The filtered liquid portion Digestive
obtained after boiling 1 part of
Rice and 14 part of water
Quickly digestible
Peya (Semisolid)
One part of rice and 14 parts of Stops loose motions,
water
boil
into
watery Nourishes the tissues
consistency
Nourishing
Vilepi(Solid)
One part of rice and four parts Conducive for Heart
of water cooked into thick paste Delicious
Diuretic

C LINICAL N UTRITION
PATHYA K ALPANA

42

Clinical Nutrition
4

Uses

Yavagu (Solid)

One part of grain rice etc. and Strengthening

six part of water cooked into Nourishing
thick paste

Krishara (Solid)

Prepared by adding
green gram

Quickly digestible
rice and Supplements
Carbohydrate
Protein

43

TAKRA /B UTTER

MILK

Method
Prepared by Churning one part of curd mixed with 1/2
part of the water till butter gets separated
Lose of appetite
Diarrhoea
Anaemia
Piles
Vomiting
Dehydration
Oedema
Sprue
Abdominal diseases
Obesity
Urinary disorders

44

R ATIONAL USE OF H OT WATER

S. No. Form of warm water

Uses & Indications

Reduction of water by Appetiser

boiling to 1/8,1/4 and 1/2 Diuretic
Rheumatoid
of its original quantity
Arthritis
Lipid disorder
Cough
Dyspnoea
Fever
Dysentery
Water boiled and
After Excessive
subsequently cooled
Thirst
Fever

F OOD I NCOMPATIBILITY

45

Well defined scientific basis of immune mechanism

Physiological basis of food incompatibility and
allergy (Charaka 2000 Bc.)
Antigen(Dehadathupratyanikanbhuta dravya)
Deha dhatu bhi virodha (Production of Antibodies)

Food incompatibility and

manifestation of
different diseases
Mutually contradictory biological or chemical
qualities
Incompatibility due to prakriti or constitution
Nature and Conduciveness
Incompatibility with contemporary place and time

F OOD I NCOMPATIBILITY

46

Incompatible food

Fish and milk

ACUTE

Meat of Domestic Animals

honey jaggery milk, radish
DELAYED

Possible Conditions

Serum
sickness
Constipation
Death
with Deafness
Blindness
Tremors
Voice
problems (Neurotoxin)

F OOD I NCOMPATIBILITY

47

Psychic aversion (Hrit rudham) of food and neuro immune

machanisms

Management of food
incompatibility

Emotions
Autonomic nervous system
Sympathetic (&B) para sympathetic ()

Inter cellular levels of cyclic nucleotide AMP andGMP

Mast cells-mediator release

25

Purgation (Virechana)

Fasting (Upavasa)

Bloodletting
(Raktamokshana)

Emesis (Vamana)

Satmya ahara( Compatable

food )

48

N UTRITIONAL P ROBLEMS
C OUNTRY S CENARIO
Malnutrition *
Decline
Inter state differences

*Underweight children relative to an internationally accepted

reference population (0-3 years ); Source : www. mohfw.inc.in

AYUSH I NITIATIVES F OR P REVENTION

N UTRITIONAL P ROBLEMS

49

** WWW. INDIANMEDICINE . NIC . IN

* WWW. MOHFW. NIC . IN / NRHM / HTM

Introduction of PunarnavamandoorAyurvedic
Medicine
for
management of pregnancy Anemia
under NRHM and ASHA Kit*

Introduction of 5 Ayurvedic and 7

Unani
medicines in National
Reproductive and Health Program *

Initiated National campaigns on**

Anemia
Control
Ayurveda and Siddha

through

Mother and Child care through

Ayurveda and Siddha

AYUSH R ESEARCH S TUDIES

ON N UTRITIONAL I SSUES

50

Drug development : Development of

Nutracaeuticals based on Ayurveda Leads

Clinical Studies : Validation of Medicinal Plants

in Nutritional Deficiency and Health promotion

Operational Studies :Feasibility Studies on

integration of Ayurveda in National Reproductive
and Child Health(RCH) program

51

AYURVEDIC N UTRACAEUTICALS
D RUG D EVELOPMENT
Controlled Study *
Standardized Product
Clinically safe
significant (p<0.05) anti-stress effect
Activity against stress related changes in
immunoglobulin
Physical endurance
Combat battery of stresses encountered
at Antarctica
*P. Bansal, R. Sannd, N. Srikanth and
G.S.Lavekar:Effect
of
traditionally
designed nutraceutical on stress induced
immunoglobulin changes at Antarctica;
African Journal of Biochemistry Research
Vol.3 (4), pp. 084-088, April, 2009

AYURVEDIC N UTRACAEUTICALS
D RUG D EVELOPMENT

52

Fig. 1: Effect of APY and APP on Catalase

65

35
20
5
0

Duration in weeks
Control

Treated

Fig. 4: Effect of APY and APP on

Superoxidedismutase (SOD)

SOD
(U/ml)

Catalase (U/ml)

50

5.5
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
0

Duration in weeks
Control

Treated

AYURVEDIC D RUG IN
I RON D EFICIENCY A NAEMIA

53

Reverse Pharmacology: Multicentre Clinical Study on

Iron Deficiency Anaemia with an Ayurvedic interventionDhatri Lauha (n=391)

Quality assurance
Experimental
Safety
Biological activity
Clinical Safety
Efficacy

54

A SHWAGANDHA (W ITHANIA SOMNIFERA ) ON THE

PROCESS OF AGEING IN H UMAN VOLUNTEERS
Type

Placebo controlled

Drug & Dosage

Ashwagandha Vs Placebo (Starch)

Root of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) powdered and

tableted in strength of .5 gms. administered in dosage of two
tablets three times daily with milk
Results :

Statistically significant increase in

Hemoglobin, RBC in treated group.
Decreased in serum cholesterol and ESR
higher in treated group.

T HE

COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF
WITH

55

Type

M ILK

FORTIFIED

A SHWAGANDHA , A SHWAGANDHA AND

P UNARNAVA IN CHILDREN
A DOUBLE BLIND CLINICAL STUDY
Placebo controlled

Drug & Dosage and Interventions in 5 groups

Group-1

Powdered, purified Ashwagandha in dose of 2

gm per day

Group-2

Ashwagandha and Punarnava in equal quantity

in dose of 2 gm
per day

Group-3

Ferrous fumrate with Lactose powder in dose of

5 mg.
per day with 2 gm. of lactose

Group-4

Ferrous fumrate with Lactose powder in dose of

30mg per day with 2 gm. of lactose

Group-5

Placebo (Lactose powder) in dose of 2 gm. per

day.

Results :Ashwagandha increases body weight, total proteins, mean

corpuscular hemoglobin and MCHC significantly while the
combination increases Hb & MCHC significantly

O PERATIONAL S TUDY ON RCH

56

ICMR C OLLABORATION

Feasibility of introducing Indian systems of medicine

(Ayurveda & Siddha) in the National RCH at the primary
health care (PHC) Level: An Operational Study *

17 drugs developed through R&D

Integration with the Reproductive & Child Health

program

Prevention & Management of morbidity & mortality

Extent for integration and efficacy of interventions

*CCRAS-ICMR Collaborative Project

57

Thank You