Obesity - Causes and Treatment

Obesity is due to

 1) An increase in the number of fat cells, or

 2) An increase in the size of fat cells, or

        3) Both.

When we examine a fat cell, it contains something known as a vesicle. This vescicle is like an elastic bag that holds water in it. As the vesicle is extremely elastic in nature the size of the vesicle can increase dramatically due to excess water. The increase in the size of the fat cell is called water retention.

The other cause is obviously the increase in the number of fat cells.

How do you know if you are obese?

Being fat or weighing more does not classify you as an obese person. In fact, in the ayurvedic definition a lean person could also be classified as obese. Anyone whose stomach, buttocks and breasts move independently on activity are termed as obese and they do not posses vigor in proportion to their bodily bulk.

The interesting thing about the treatment of obesity is the identification of the cause, as treatment of both types are opposite. Also there is sometimes just plain bloating of the abdomen due to gas and improper digestion, in which case the treatment is different. Considering that there are multiple and contradictory reasons of obesity, the key to solving obesity is in identifying the type of obesity.

Ayurveda considers obesity as a lifestyle disorder. Depending on the intensity of the problem and the need for treatment, there are multi-pronged approaches. The mildest to the strongest treatment range from Home Remedies, Diets, Regimen to Medicines and Panchakarma (severe most).

1) Home Remedies - Refer to this video

2) Diet -  A generalized diet would be to avoid - sour, fermented, maida-based, raw and non-veg food. Detailed diet will can only be given by examining the patient. Also some misconceptions are present regarding diet, for eg. ghee and rice should not be taken. Many-a-times I find that obesity increases by not taking enough ghee in your diet. Being in a subcontinental and a tropical climate, ghee is a must in our diet but provided that the ghee is "Cow's ghee". This ghee will not increase your weight but will help form a bi-lipid layer to help lose weight if taken correctly. Ayurveda says that by taking more of ghee, all the secretions will increase. Hence bile will be secreted more for digestion of fat and more of HDL(Good cholesterol) will be formed. Rice, in-fact, should be taken more by the individual who wishes to lose weight but the catch is that this rice should be open-cooked (without being covered or not in a pressure cooker) and the water should be drained off before consumption.

3) Regimen - Exercise should be done regularly for weight loss without a doubt, but the important aspect to remember is to sweat. I have seen cases wherein exercise is done throughout the day in an air-conditioned room where there is hardly any sweating. This does not help lose weight at all.

4) Medicines - You will need to visit an ayurvedic doctor for this. Please do not try to self medicate yourself.

5) Panchakarma - Ayurveda says that heat breaks down the fat cells and produces sweat. Due to this "Udawartan" followed by full body steaming is recommended to people who wish to lose weight. "Vaman" is also a recommendation for people who won't lose weight no matter what they do.

The top four of these or in some cases all of these are used to cure this disease and a strict adherence and discipline is required.