In the modern age we live in, people around the world are constantly seeking alternative diets and lifestyles in hopes of preventing serious illness and staying in shape. People seem to be more conscious than ever when it comes to their food intake, with many options now available that cater to the specific wants and needs of the individual. Lifestyle diseases are ailments that are primarily based on the day-to-day habits of people. Habits that detract people from the activity and push them towards a sedentary routine, can cause many health issues that can lead to chronic non-communicable diseases which can have near life-threatening consequences.
Lifestyle diseases include heart disease, obesity, Atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes; and diseases associated with smoking, alcohol & drug abuse, and even cancer. When it comes to preventing lifestyle disease and maintaining one’s weight, there seems to be an evolving and rewarding diet to prevent cancer, diabetes, and lose weight worth paying attention to. Let’s talk about some lifestyle diseases and recommended diets for them.
Cancer is the second important cause of morbidity worldwide accounting for 8.8 million deaths. Globally, nearly 1 in 6 deaths is due to cancer. Approximately 70% of deaths from cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries.
The knowledge of Sartan (cancer) in the Unani (Greco-Arabian) systems of medicine can be traced to ancient times (131-200 A.D.). Like all other diseases, its etiology has also been attributed to the combustion and imbalance of certain humor in the body. According to Unani, cancer is associated with an imbalance of black bile humor (Sauda) which is very hard to be diagnosed at early stages. It suggests the administration of an appropriate purgative remove excess black bile from the body and thereby adopting ways that prevent the generation and accumulation of black bile in blood vessels as far as possible.
A diet high in non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and beans, may protect against stomach and esophageal cancer. Eating oranges, berries, peas, peppers, dark leafy vegetables, and other foods high in Vitamin C may also protect against oesophageal cancer.
Here are some modifications you should do in your diet to prevent cancer:
● Avoid black bile (Sauda) producing diets such as red meat, dried & salted meat, and fish, etc.
● Taking soft and easily digestible diets like Oats, Porridge (Daliya), Khichri.
● Consume turmeric, tomatoes, garlic, flaxseed, spinach, broccoli, pomegranates, walnuts, etc.
● Cruciferous (leafy) vegetables (Pattedar sabziyan) such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale contain beneficial nutrients including manganese, Vit-K it also contains Sulforaphane, a plant compound with anti-cancer properties.
● Berries-study shows that anthocyanin, which is a compound in blackberries, lowers biomarkers for colon cancer.
● Taking a diet rich in fibre (20-30gm/day).
● Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
● Exercising for 30-45 minutes at least five days a week.
● Avoiding mental stress and anxiety.
● Avoiding extreme emotions, e.g. anger, fear, sadness – Leading a spiritual peaceful life.
In 2019, an estimated 1.5 million deaths were directly caused by diabetes. Prevalence has been rising more rapidly in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
In Unani medicine “Ziabetus” is the term which is used generally for diabetes, and “Ziabetus Shakari” for diabetes mellitus. In Unani philosophy, it is a disease in which the consumed water is passed out through the kidney immediately after its intake by an individual without any metabolic change. Due to the hot temperament of the kidneys, the water is absorbed from the blood circulation and sent to the urinary bladder.
As per Unani philosophy of causation of disease, it is based on Mizaji (temperamental) and Saakhti (structural) deviation. Any imbalance between Mizaj (temperament) and Saakht (structure) results in disease.
1. Choose healthier carbohydrates
All carbs affect blood glucose levels so it’s important to know which foods contain carbohydrates. Choose the healthier foods that contain complex carbs and be aware of your portion sizes.
Here are some healthy sources of carbohydrates:
● Whole grains like Brown rice, Buckwheat, and Whole oats.
● Fruits like Jammun, berries, Apple, kiwi, grapes.
● Vegetables like Bitter Gourd (Karela), Bottle Gourd (Lauki), Broccoli, Spinach.
● Pulses such as chickpeas, beans, and lentils.
● Dairies like unsweetened yogurt and low-fat milk.
At the same time, it’s also important to cut down on foods low in fibre such as white bread, white rice, and highly processed cereals. You can check food labels when you’re looking for foods high in fibre if you’re unsure.
2. Eat less red and processed meat
If you’re cutting down on carbs, you might start to have bigger portions of meat to fill you up. But, it’s not a good idea to do this with red and processed meat, like Ham, Bacon, Sausages, and Lamb. These all have links with heart problems and cancers.
Try swapping red and processed meat for these:
● Pulses such as beans and lentils.
● Eggs.
● Fish.
● Poultry like chicken and turkey- (non-spicy, less salty).
● Unsalted nuts (cashew, pistachio, peanuts).
3. Use fibre in diet
Beans, peas, and lentils are also very high in fibre and don’t affect your blood glucose levels too much. Most of us know that fish is good for us, but oily fish like salmon and mackerel are even better. These are rich in something called omega-3 oil, which helps protect your heart. You should try and aim to eat two portions of oily fish a week.
4. Cut down on added sugar
We know cutting out sugar can be really hard at the beginning, so small practical swaps are a good starting point when you’re trying to cut down on excess sugar. Swapping sugary drinks, energy drinks and fruit juices with water, plain milk, or tea and coffee without sugar can be a good start.
You can always try low or zero-calorie sweeteners (also known as artificial sweeteners) to help you cut back. Cutting out these added sugars can help you control your blood glucose levels and help keep your weight down.
Obesity (Saman-e-Mufrat) has become a serious public health problem nowadays. It is a term used to describe bodyweight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. Obesity and overweight occur due to an imbalance between calories consumed and calories utilized.
The National Family Health Survey (N.F.H.S) in 2016 shows that 12.1% men and 14.8% women in India are either overweight or obese. It reduces life expectancy by 7.1 years in men and 5.8 years in women.
There’s no single rule that applies to everyone, but to lose weight at a safe and sustainable rate of 0.5 to 1 kg a week. Most people are advised to reduce their energy intake by 600 calories a day. For most men, this will mean consuming no more than 1,900 calories a day, and for most women, no more than 1,400 calories a day.
The best way to achieve this is to swap unhealthy and high-energy food choices such as fast food, processed food, and sugary drinks (including alcohol) for healthier choices.
Here are the diet changes one should do to lose weight:
● Plenty of fruit and food rich in vitamin C like oranges, pineapple, grapefruit.
● Skimmed milk (low-fat milk) and dairy foods like paneer which is rich in protein with minimal or no fat.
● Legumes include Mung beans, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, lentils, pulses, and chickpeas.
● Some meat (white meat, fish) eggs, beans, and other non-dairy sources of protein.
● Try to avoid foods containing high levels of salt because they can raise your blood pressure, which can be dangerous for people who are already obese.
● Eat Healthy fats: Coconut milk, Avocado, Coconut oil, Olive oil, Sesame oil, Ghee.
You’ll also need to check the calorie information for each type of food and drink you consume to make sure you don’t go over your daily limit.
Please find below the infographic on “The Diet That Could Starve Cancer, Prevent Diabetes, And Make You Lose Weight”. Feel free to use this infographic but make sure to cite us at www.healthybazar.com
All these three diseases, i.e., cancer, diabetes, and obesity (technically not a disease), are the most widespread global health concern in the present day. You can consider a diet to prevent cancer, diabetes, and weight loss. According to the Unani system of medicine, every patient should observe precaution in the form of diet for health and longevity along with the Unani medicine approach, which offers beneficial effects in the management of this disease to obtain a speedy result. Along with that cancer patients may also consider 5 Ayurvedic Herbs for Cancer Treatment in further conditions.
A graduate from Hamdard University, Dr Asfiya is dedicated to providing natural treatments and comfort to every patient through her extensive knowledge and experience. In addition to medical practice, she has a passion for playing volleyball and chess.
One of the most important elements determining someone’s physical appearance is hair. Men and women worldwide constantly seek the best Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall to enhance the appearance and health of their hair.
However, due to various causes such as a poor diet, environmental factors, hormonal imbalance, or stress, we often suffer from hair issues. These issues include hair fall, premature greying, and thinning. Moreover, many commercial hair care products use many chemicals that damage not only the hair but also, potentially, the body's nervous system and endocrine system too.
Also, the products we use to treat our damaged hair often have only a superficial effect and leave the underlying causes unanswered. This is why we should consider home remedies and herbal products to take care of our hair from its roots.
A study on Chennai based population on hair fall with hair related problems among males of age 18-50 revealed the following:
Common symptoms of hair loss can vary in men and women. In women, the primary symptom of hair fall is hair loss in the parting of the head and the mid-frontal area of the scalp. For men, hair thinning on the top of the head, along with noticeable bald spots in the front, are clear indications of male pattern hair loss.
Additionally, if you find more hair than usual on the hairbrush after you brush or after washing your hair and on your pillow in the morning, these are also signs of hair loss. You may consider herbal treatment of hair fall to stop hair fall in the initial level to avoid severe loss.
There are various causes of hair fall that may vary from person to person.
Here are some common causes of hair fall:
These factors can lead to excess toxic substances in the body and cause hair fall.
According to Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall, the hair is a direct by-product of your bone tissue (marrow). It is also linked to the central nervous system and gut. This means any weakness in the bone tissue, nervous system, and digestive system’s health will naturally result in hair loss or diminishing hair growth.
In other words, the imbalance in your unique constituency or ratio (Prakriti) of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas (physical forces) will lead to the underlying issues in bone marrow, nervous and digestive systems. This, in turn, reflects in your scalp and hair.
You can understand your underlying Dosha imbalance or physiological imbalance by assessing your hair texture and the type of hair problems you have.
For example:
The Ayurvedic system is wholly based on balancing the three dosha levels – Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha. According to Ayurveda texts, hair fall occurs when a Dosha imbalance occurs. Thus, it is necessary to know the patient's Prakriti to regrow hair. Diet and lifestyle are also significant factors in promoting hair growth.
There are various home remedies that not only help to control hair fall but also help to keep your hair shiny and beautiful. In addition, these remedies can be performed at home quickly due to the easy availability of the ingredients.
An egg has many ingredients like Sulphur, Phosphorus, Zinc, Iodine, etc., that control hair fall and promote hair growth.
To prepare an egg mask, follow these instructions:
This herb prevents hair loss and maintains hair sustainability. In addition, it helps soothe the scalp and eliminate any dry flakes/dandruff.
The protein and essential fats in coconut milk promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
To prepare the milk, follow these instructions:
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which help boost hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Eating healthy and living a balanced lifestyle is essential to keeping your hair healthy. According to Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall, a wholesome and balanced diet enriched with vitamins and minerals helps grow hair.
Following are some diet and lifestyle changes you should adopt in your life to regain your hair:
Along with diet and lifestyle changes, a few herbs help to prevent and control hair fall. These herbs enhance hair quality and make hair shiny. You can use their extracts or powders as hair masks or add them while washing your hair.
Following are the herbs to prevent hair fall:
Shikakai is a magical herb that is very beneficial for hair. It can be considered a natural hair cleanser or shampoo due to its cleansing properties. In addition, it helps to promote hair growth naturally and nourishes hair with its antioxidant properties.
How to use-
Brahmi is a very powerful herb to promote hair growth and hair quality. It is useful in preparing herbal oil that is beneficial to make your hair strong and efficient to relieve stress hormones called ‘cortisol’ and lighten your mood. It is also effective for dry and damaged scalp.
How to use-
Amla is enriched with Vitamin C, an essential element to keep hair and scalp healthy and refreshing. In addition, it is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that help strengthen hair follicles, and it helps to remove dandruff, dissolve grease and dirt from follicles.
Massaging the scalp with Amla oil can increase blood circulation. It provides essential nutrients to hair follicles to promote hair growth.
How to use-
Also Read: Neem Oil for Hair: Research, Benefits, How to Use it, and Side Effects
In modern medicine, health issues like hair fall, greying hairs, and dandruff are treated symptomatically for months of application. Ayurveda relieves these head disorders in Siraveda at the forehead region to clear obstruction channels. There are various herbs and home remedies available in Ayurveda that help to cleanse the scalp, circulate blood in hair and promote hair growth. Along with Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall, you should also consider healthy diet and lifestyle modifications to ensure speedy hair growth and nourishment. Find lifestyle tips and Ayurvedic products at HealthyBazar. All the products on-site are genuine. To treat hair fall problems and get healthier hair, one can also consult with Dr. Shivani, an Ayurvedic Consultant, and Practitioner with 3 years of experience.
Dr. Shivani Nautiyal is a renowned Ayurvedic physician, Panchakarma therapies specialist, and detox expert who has made significant contributions to the field of natural holistic healing and wellness. With her profound knowledge, expertise, and compassionate approach, she has transformed the lives of countless individuals seeking holistic health solutions. She is a Panchakarma expert, which are ancient detoxification and rejuvenation techniques. She believes in the power of Ayurveda to restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
Pregnancy is the most important and critical part of every woman’s life. So, systematic examination and Pregnancy Care Tips, dietary and other advice are very important during this precious period of time. This systematic supervision is called Garbhini Paricharya (Antenatal Care) in Ayurveda. According to Garbhini Paricharya, the need for Garbhini (ANC Mother) food to be the best source of nourishment for the pregnant woman. It is divided into a nine-monthly diet that is singularly unique to Ayurveda. It changes according to the growth of the fetus in the womb and at the same time ensures the mother’s health.
As per the classical medical tradition, the Vaidyas followed a detailed and comprehensive diet plan. Pregnancy Care in Ayurveda provides a broad expanse of the month-wise diet. This diet may change according to the age, season, place, body constitution, and digestive fire of the pregnant woman. So, the Garbhini should follow a careful regimen of food and behavior during pregnancy for smooth and stress-free delivery.
According to ‘Charaka Samhita’, the pregnancy care Tips in Ayurveda changes every month which is dependent upon the growth pattern, which marks the growth of the fetus. Thus, in the 5th month, there is a predominant growth of Mamsa (flesh) and Rakta (blood) Dhatus. In the 6th month, Bala, Varna, Nails, Hair, Ligaments, Bones, etc. take shape.
Since every month of pregnancy is critical for the growth and development of both the mother and the fetus, Ayurveda curated a healthy pregnancy diet for every single month of the pregnancy. This diet recommendation will help you in taking care of the fetus and mother throughout the pregnancy period. Here are the pregnancy care tips for every month of pregnancy as per Ayurveda:
Diet: One should consume cold milk in small quantities but frequently. Also, mothers should consume Madhur (sweet), Sheeta (cooling to the body), and liquid diet in the 1st month to maintain the fetus.
Medicine: As per Pregnancy Care Tips in Ayurveda, you should consume Jeshthamadhu with white sandalwood powder or red sandalwood powder in cow’s milk is recommended for the first month of pregnancy.
Diet: In the second month of pregnancy, women should have cold milk in small quantities but frequently along with Madhur (sweet), Sheeta (cold) and liquid diet like Milk, Coconut water, Fruit juices, Peya, Kanji (not sour), etc. All these should be in small quantities but taken frequently. Fruits that you should avoid are Pineapple, Papaya, and Sugarcane.
Medicine: In the second month, women should take Ashmantaka (Apta), Til, Pippali (Piper longum), Manjishtha (Rubia cardifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) in small quantities. Also, one should consume Kashaya (decoction) along with milk and sugar. You can also prefer Lotus stem, Nagkeshar milk, or Buttermilk, Lotus, Bell fruit, Camphor, and Goat milk to maintain good health.
Diet: In this month, you can consume rice with milk or ghee and honey (in unequal quantities) along with the same type of fruit juices as mentioned in the 2nd month.
Medicine: Ayurvedic medicines beneficial are Vrikshadani, Ksheerkakolki, Priyangu, Sariva, Sugar, and Nagkeshar milk. You can also consume Sandalwood powder, khus, lotus, and cold water with milk.
Diet: In the fourth month, Butter taken out of milk, rice with curd, fruit juice, and Coconut water should be taken by pregnant women. Along with that, you can take Hridya Fruits viz. Mango, Watermelon, White pumpkin, Yellow pumpkin, Snake gourd (Chichinda), Berry (Badar), Pomegranate, and Amratak (Ambala) in this month.
Medicine: In this month you can consume Sariva, Rasna, Bharani, or Jeshthamadhu decoction. If a pregnant woman feel she should have thirst, burning, and pain in the abdomen, then milk boiled with banana root, lotus, and khusin the same quantity.
Diet: In this month, you should consume rice, milk, ghee from butter, Mamsa Vardhak (foods which promote bulk in the fetus) such as meat soup, black gram, etc, and Rakta Vardhak (food items that increase the blood and its flow) such as Pomegranate, Chikoo, Apple, Spinach, Beetroot, amalaki, guava, etc.
Medicine – Medicines includes for this month are Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Laghu Kantakari (Gmelina Arborea), Plaksha powder with milk, ground blue lotus, Nagkeshar, and Pumpkin with water. You can also consume Ground pomegranate leaves, sandalwood paste mixed with curd and honey, leaves of Ksheeri trees, Banyan, and Udumbar (Ficus Glomerata).
Diet: In the sixth month consume Ghee, Rice, Gokharu (Tribulus Terrestris), Siddha Ghee (processed Ghee), and Yavagu (Rice kanji). It nourishes the tissues of the child and keeps the mother healthy.
Medicine: The following medicines are beneficial in the sixth month as per Ayurveda:
Also Read: Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstrual Cycles
In the 7th month, all organs of the fetus grow significantly due to which women usually face itching on their lower abdomen, thighs, or breasts. During this time, they should consume the same food as previous month.
Medicine: The following medications can helps to reduce itching:-
Diet – This month is crucial because some women face extreme weakness in this month compared to the previous ones. So during this month, one should consume Yavagu (Solid rice and liquid portion) in milk to maintain the health of the child and mother.
Medicine: Medicines recommended during this month are:
Diet: As recommended in the previous month
Medicine: In the 8th and 9th month, there is a slight pain in the abdomen and sometimes bleeding through the vagina. So, one should use painkillers and Stambhana (a drug to stop bleeding) medicine. Along with that, one should consider Sariva, Jeshthamadha, Ksheerkakoli Kashaya medicines.
Note: If the pregnancy continues up to the 10th month, then only take – Shunthi, Ksheer Vidari Kashaya, or only Shunthi Siddha milk.
Along with the diet, Ayurveda lists certain factors that can cause disturbances or harm to the pregnant woman and fetus. One should avoid these factors to ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy fetus. These factors are as follows:-
Please find below the infographic on “A guide to Ayurvedic care in pregnancy & childbirth”. Feel free to use this infographic but make sure to cite us at www.healthybazar.com.
Garbhini Paricharya was advised thousands of years ago in classical texts of Ayurveda for pregnant women. It can be proven on scientific parameters as well. In Garbhini Paricharya, normal daily activities, therapeutic procedures, and modifications in psychological behavior are advised. During the first trimester, by considering the physiology of pregnant women, the ancient Acharyas have emphasized using highly nutritious household milk products that are easy to assimilate.
In this period, the dietary regimen and treatment protocol is concentrated on providing nourishment and Vata Anulomana. In the 2nd trimester, Garbhini Paricharya helps stabilize Garbha. It is useful in meeting energy and protein requirements. In the 3rd trimester, drugs and practices which relieve Oedema, constipation, backache, etc, are employed. The pregnancy care in Ayurveda aims at excellence in the formation of the fetus, its development without anomalies, secure full-term delivery, and maintenance of the mother’s health. The regimen explained is specific to fetus and mother, helps in easy delivery, and helps in lactation; hence completely fulfills the objectives of prenatal care.
Dr. Shivani Nautiyal is a renowned Ayurvedic physician, Panchakarma therapies specialist, and detox expert who has made significant contributions to the field of natural holistic healing and wellness. With her profound knowledge, expertise, and compassionate approach, she has transformed the lives of countless individuals seeking holistic health solutions. She is a Panchakarma expert, which are ancient detoxification and rejuvenation techniques. She believes in the power of Ayurveda to restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.