We all knows those people who can eat junk food, sugary food, and whatever else they want and still not gain weight. Overweight and obesity have become significant public health challenges worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity has nearly tripled since 1975, and more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight in 2016. Understanding the multifaceted reasons behind weight gain can help in developing effective strategies to combat this epidemic. Let's delve into some of the known and lesser-known factors contributing to overweight and obesity.
Genetics play a crucial role in determining body weight. Research indicates that genetics can influence how the body stores and processes fat. Certain genes control appetite, satiety, metabolism, and fat distribution. For instance, the FTO gene has been associated with obesity. Individuals with certain variants of this gene are more likely to gain weight. However, genetics is not destiny. Lifestyle and environmental factors can modulate genetic predispositions.
Interesting Fact:
Epigenetics: Emerging research in epigenetic suggests that lifestyle and environmental factors can modify gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. This means that diet, physical activity, and even stress levels can impact how genes associated with obesity are expressed.
2. Dietary Habits: Beyond Calories
While calorie intake is a fundamental factor in weight gain, the type of food consumed also matters significantly. Diets high in processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats are linked to weight gain. However, the timing of food intake and meal frequency can also influence weight.
Interesting Fact:
Chrononutrition: This field studies the interaction between nutrition and the body's circadian rhythms. Eating at irregular times or late at night can disrupt the body's internal clock, leading to metabolic issues and weight gain. Research suggests that eating larger meals earlier in the day and minimizing late-night eating can help manage weight.
3. Physical Inactivity: The Sedentary Lifestyle
Modern lifestyles often involve long hours of sitting, whether at a desk, in a car, or on the couch. Physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for weight gain. Regular physical activity helps to burn calories, improve metabolic health, and maintain muscle mass.
Interesting Fact:
NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis): NEAT encompasses all the calories burned through non-exercise activities like walking, fidgeting, and even maintaining posture. People with higher NEAT levels tend to have better weight management. Simple changes like taking the stairs, standing desks, or short walking breaks can boost NEAT and contribute to weight control.
4. Psychological Factors: The Mind-Body Connection
Emotional and psychological factors can significantly impact eating behaviors and weight. Stress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem can lead to emotional eating, where individuals consume food for comfort rather than hunger.
Interesting Fact:
Stress Hormones: Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that can increase appetite and promote fat storage, particularly in the abdominal area. Mindfulness practices, therapy, and stress management techniques can help mitigate these effects.
5. Sleep Patterns: The Overlooked Factor
Sleep is often overlooked in discussions about weight management. Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can disrupt hormonal balances that regulate hunger and satiety, leading to increased appetite and weight gain.
Interesting Fact:
Leptin and Ghrelin: These are hormones that play crucial roles in appetite regulation. Leptin signals fullness, while ghrelin stimulates hunger. Lack of sleep reduces leptin levels and increases ghrelin levels, leading to increased hunger and potential weight gain.
6. Gut Microbiota: The Hidden Ecosystem
The human gut hosts trillions of bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiota. Recent research has revealed that these microorganisms play a crucial role in metabolism and weight regulation. An imbalance in gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, can contribute to obesity.
Interesting Fact:
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Incorporating probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (food for these bacteria) into the diet can improve gut health and potentially aid in weight management. Foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and dietary fibers from fruits and vegetables are beneficial.
7. Medications and Medical Conditions
Certain medications and medical conditions can contribute to weight gain. For example, medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and corticosteroids are known to cause weight gain. Medical conditions like hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and Cushing's syndrome can also lead to weight gain.
Interesting Fact:
Metabolic Adaptation: Some individuals may experience a reduced metabolic rate after significant weight loss, making it easier to regain weight. This phenomenon is a survival mechanism from times when food scarcity was common, but it can complicate modern weight management efforts.
8. Environmental and Societal Factors
The environment we live in significantly impacts our lifestyle choices. Easy access to high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, food marketing, urbanization, and a lack of safe spaces for physical activity contribute to the obesity epidemic.
Interesting Fact:
Food Deserts and Food Swamps: Food deserts are areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious food, while food swamps are areas with an abundance of fast food and junk food options. Both contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns and increased obesity rates.
9. Behavioral and Cultural Influences
Cultural norms and societal expectations can shape eating habits and attitudes toward body weight. For example, in some cultures, larger body sizes are associated with prosperity and health, while in others, thinness is idealized.
Interesting Fact:
Social Networks: Studies have shown that obesity can spread through social networks. If a person has friends or family members who are obese, their likelihood of becoming obese increases. This phenomenon underscores the influence of social and cultural factors on weight.
10. Hormonal Imbalances
Hormonal imbalances can significantly impact weight. Conditions like insulin resistance, where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, can lead to weight gain and type 2 diabetes.
Interesting Fact:
Estrogen and Menopause: Women may experience weight gain during menopause due to decreased estrogen levels. Estrogen influences where fat is stored, and lower levels can lead to an increase in abdominal fat.
Weight gain and obesity result from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, psychological, and lifestyle factors. Understanding these diverse influences can help in developing comprehensive strategies for prevention and treatment. It's crucial to approach weight management with a holistic perspective, considering all aspects of an individual's life, from their diet and physical activity to their mental health and social environment. By addressing the root causes and promoting sustainable, healthy habits, it is possible to combat the obesity epidemic and improve overall well-being. visit www.healthybazar.com and take one on one consultation with expert for personalised diet and lifestyle changes that will help you loose weight faster.
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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.