More than 72 million Americans are obese.

This is the finding of a new report from Centers for Disease Control.  Obesity was rising, was not a secret ; but what is alarming is the size of the epidemic now.  72 million in a population of 300 million (approx.) gives us a 1 in 4 ratio.  Any epidemic that has effected such a large swath of population, is unlikely to go away  easily.

This will take more than 1 post to cover.  So lets first start with what the CDC report has stated.  The data, the impact, etc.

• More than 72 million U.S. adults are obese.
• $ Persons who are obese have medical costs that are $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.
• Obesity is common, serious, and costly. In 2009, about 2.4 million more adults were obese than in 2007. This epidemic has affected every part
  of the United States. In every state, more than 15% of adults are obese, and in nine states, over 30% of adults are obese.
• The medical care costs of obesity in the United States are staggering.
  Recent estimates of the annual medical costs are as high as $147 billion

Who is classified as obese ?

Obesity is defined by body mass index, or BMI, which is calculated from your height and weight.  BMI greater than or equal to 30 means you ?
are obese.

Who is more effected ?

Non-Hispanic black women and Hispanics have the highest rates of obesity (41.9% and 30.7%).

What other disorders are caused by obesity ?

Obesity is a contributing cause of many other health problems, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. These are some of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Obesity can cause sleep apnea and breathing problems and make activity more difficult. Obesity can also cause problems
during pregnancy or make it more difficult for a woman to become pregnant.

What impact do those effected by obesity have on the health care system ?

Obese persons require more costly medical care.

What is causing this epidemic ?

Diet and Lifestyle

What has changed about American diets ?

Weight gain occurs when people eat too much food and get too little physical activity. Societal and community changes have accompanied the rise in obesity.  People may be eating differently due to the following reasons:-

• Some Americans have less access to stores and markets that provide
  healthy, affordable food such as fruits and vegetables, especially in rural,minority and lower-income neighborhoods.
• Restaurants, snack shops, and vending machines provide food that is often higher in calories and fat than food made at home.
• There is too much sugar in our diet. Six out of 10 adults drink at least 1 sugary drink per day.
• It is often easier and cheaper to get less healthy foods and beverages.
• Foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are frequently advertised and marketed.

What are the lifestyle changes that are causing this epidemic ?

1. Many communities are built in ways that make it difficult or unsafe to be physically active
2. Access to parks and recreation centers  may be difficult or lacking and public
3. transportation may not available.
4. Safe routes for walking or biking to school, work, or play may not exist.
5. Too few students get quality, daily physical education in school.

What are some of the other medical complications of obesity ?

The following disorders have been attributed to obesity by the CDC report.

1. Sleep apnea
2. Lung diseaseS – Asthma, Pulmonary blood clots
3. Liver disease – Fatty liver,  Cirrhosis
4. Gallstones
5. Womens Arthritis
6. Gout
7. Stroke
8. Pancreatitis
9. Inflamed veins,often with blood clots
10. Heart disease – Abnormal lipid profile, High blood pressure
11. Cancer – Breast, Uterus, Colon, Esophagus, Pancreas, Kidney,Prostate
12. Women – Abnormal periods, Infertility
13. Diabetes

Within the United States, what is the state wise breakdown of diseases

The number of people who are obese varies from state to state. For example, 18.6% of Colorado residents are obese, compared with 34.4% of Mississippi residents. In 2009, 9 states had obesity rates of 30% or more compared with no states in 2000.

What are the changes that can be made to have a meanigful impact on obesity ?

CDC’s report clearly identifies the need for different stakeholders to play relevant roles.

The United States government can – Promote change.
First Lady Michelle Obama recently launched the Let’s Move! program which seeks to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation.  The campaign’s main points of action are:
Empowering parents and caregivers.
Providing healthy food in schools.
Improving access to healthy, affordable foods.
Increasing physical activity.
See http://www.letsmove.gov/

States can:-

1. Provide supermarkets and farmers’ markets with incentives to establish their businesses inlow-income areas and to offer healthy foods.
2. Expand programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.
3. Support hospital programs that encourage breastfeeding.
4. Adopt policies that promote bicycling and public transportation.

Communities can

1. Create and maintain safe neighborhoods for physical activity and improve access to parks and playgrounds.
2. Advocate for quality physical education in schools and childcare facilities.
3. Encourage breastfeeding through peer-to- peer support programs.
4. Support programs that bring local fruits and vegetables to schools, businesses, and communities.

All people can

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables and fewer foods high in fat and sugar.
2. See http://www.mypyramid.gov/
3. Drink more water instead of sugary drinks.
4. Limit TV watching in kids to less than 2 hours a day and don’t put one in their room at all.
5. Support breastfeeding.
6. Promote policies and programs at school, at work, and in the community that make the healthy choice the easy choice.
7. Try going for a 10-minute brisk walk, 3 times a day, 5 days a week.
   See http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html.

A great report from CDC indeed.  Some clear stat points, further threats identified, and solutions provided too !

In the coming posts, Ayurveda Group will talk about the role Ayurveda can play in the fight against obesity.

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In my latest experience with weight loss treatments, I have experienced that along with exercise, Yoga, Pranayaam and some herbal supplements, there is one more simple yet very effective trick.

The trick is to take real hot water with half lemon squeezed in it after each meal helps wash out all lipids away from our stomach.   Compare this to a pot with oil in it and how you wash it with hot water and lemon; the oil washes away easily. Similarly, washing away unwanted oil and fat from our food is essential in weight loss treatment at every stage. So try it and see how it works !!!

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Go Veg – Trim excess weight, prevent diabetes, cut cholesterol, lower blood pressure, prevent + reverse heart disease, & reduce cancer risk.

In Ayurveda, the treatment for Diabetes is extremely effective and in 85 % of the cases, it can be completely treated. There are two major medications that are used in the treatment of Diabetes – Cow urine and herbs.

Karela, Neem, Jamun, Amla, Haldi and many other ingredients are giving fabulous results. However, cow urine actually makes the pancreas active and gets natural insulin secretion so effective that the patient feels better much faster.

What does these herbs and cowurnie actually do?

The actual effect of these herbs are as below:

- Balancing the metabolism

- Reducing glucose level from urine and blood

- Controlling frequency of urination and strengthening bladder muscles.

- Balancing the digestive enzymes in such a way that it reduces the desire for water and food comparatively and helps absorb the nutrients of the food taken in timely manner.

- Providing strength to the muscles in the extremities.

What does allopathy medicines do in Diabetes?

- Control glucose levels by inducing external insulin

It does have severe and slow side effect on liver, kidneys and eyes, which causes damages in the inner cells over the period and never provides strength to the other organs which get weaker due to weak metabolism.

For more information, please feel free to email us at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com.

On this day,14th November,  when the founder of  “Insulin”, Frederick Banting, was born, let us educate ourselves about Diabetes a bit more.  Today, approximately 220 million people are suffering from Diabetes around the world. Observing the type of lifestyle that we have nowadays, this number is estimated to be double by 2030.

Diabetes is of two types. Type 1 is Diabetes Insipidus and Type 2 is Diabetes Mellitus. The Type 2 is most common amongst us.

Simple causes for us to consider:

- Heriditory – if anyone in family, such as parents, grandparents, brother or sister has it, you are more likely to have it.

- Diet – High calorie diet on regular basis with high frequency in a day causes obesity and in turn Diabetes

- Luxurious lifestyle – No physical exercise on daily basis causes obesity and diabetes

- Intake of high sugar drinks under stress – Taking more cups of coffee, cappuchino, espresso or tea or soft drinks and carbonated drinks in a day with high sugar in it causes diabetes. This is found in office class working people.

- Tobacco use under stress also causes diabetes.

Simple signs to identify Diabetes:

- Frequent urination with sweet smell

- Increased thirst and hunger

- Sudden weight loss

- Giddiness or heavy head feeling

- Frequent tingling numbness in hands and feet

Simple treatment methods:

- Diet control

- Physical exercise with Yoga and Pranayaam

- Appropriate medications of Ayurveda only.

Let us talk about it more as we go on.

The act of eating is life-giving. The process of eating is important for development of consciousness as well as our physical health.

First of all, sit down to ear. Do not stand, walk or drive through the meal. Enjoy the meal for good digestion. Do not talk much to someone or on the phone, read or watch television while eating. These activities take away the enjoyment of eating and digestion. Slow eating habits also create indigestion. These additional activities may result in weak stimulation of Pachak Agni and hence forth creates fatigue after eating.

Second and most important, eat only one third of your stomach need. Wheit is time for meal, one should fill the stomach with one third water, one third food and one third must be kept empty for proper movements and absorption of food.

In diabetic conditions, pregnancy, hypertension and obesity, one should take smaller meals in every four hours. This brings better Pachak Agni into action and helps in proper nutrient absorption.

And of course, last but not the least, eat healthy food. Boiled, baked and stir fried food is better than deep fried, overcooked and broiled food. Marinated salads, sprouts, yoghurt and variety of drinks at the time of food can bring in great salivatary fluids, which will help digest the food and further down for absorption as well.

We also had question as to whether to drink water in between the meal. There are quite a few different opinions in this matter. However, you can take good amount fo water before meal, in between the meal, but must avoid water immediately after the meal. One should not take water for one to two hours after the meal.  This calms the Pachak agni for a long time and having such habit creates bulging of stomach.

For more questions or information, please feel free to email us at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com

The one and only heart that a human body is given must be taken good care. Simple and daily practices help us to remain keep our heart healthy and simultanously body as well.  Feel free to use the following tips in your daily life and remain happy…

- Smile !!!!

- Pranayaam – AnulomVilom Pranayaam is a basic necessity for a heart to get good and sufficient amount of Oxygen every day in the early morning hours. However, anytime, when your stomach is not full, you can practice this Pranayaam and it will energize you in minutes.

- Drink lots of fluids in day time.

- Eat little less than necessary. It will prevent you from indigestion, belching and will keep you active. In such a case, you can also eat smaller meals 4-6 times a day depending on your constitution.

- Walk 20 minutes t least after each meal.

And folks, eat healthy, live wealthy and smile to everyone that you meet…

A thrombus is a blood clot formed when there is an imbalance in the blood coagulation system. A thrombus can block the flow of blood through a vein or artery, and can detach from the vessel wall to become a life-threatening embolus when it lodges in the lungs or other vital organs, such as brain, or heart.

Deep vein thrombosis is a common symptom in persons travelling in long distance flights, which sometimes leads to pulmonary embolism as well. It is life threatening. To avoid Pulmonary Embolism, Pranayam is the ultimate practice. In general also, doing Anulom Vilom Pranayam and Sheetali Pranayam helps keep the lungs breathe enough oxygen in every breath and it is extremely effective in avoiding many cardiovascular disorders.

To avoid DVT, brisk walking in fresh air is the best practice one should perform irrespective of your age and profession.

However, in certain chronic conditions, we have excellent remedies depending on the symptoms. Treatment with appropriate diagnosis helps better in Thrombosis. General treatments may not be as effective as it should be. So please feel free to contact us at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com for a free consultation.

Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity.  It is commonly seen in following types of people;

- People doing more brain straining activities,  such as white color jobs

- Lonely living individual with no friends or relatives close by.

- Single parent taking care of kid/s

- Retired persons

- Children pressurised too much for success

- Females suffering from Menstrual problems

- Obesity

There are ways to avoid this situation by avoiding above factors in life and there are ways to overcome it, if you are already suffering from it.  In most of the cases, it is overcome by Yoga and physical activities such as jogging, dancing on soft tunes or even fast pop songs. In some cases, listening to jokes, fantastic music and watching comedy shows are also considered as easy treatments. However, in some chronic conditions, following medications and diets are also useful;

- Chocolates

- Cold sweet fresh juices, such as carrot juice, beetroot juice, sweet lime juice

- Blood prufiying agents such as Arjuna, Ashoka, Aloe Vera churnas or Syrups.

- Yogaasans.

For specific cases with complications, please contact us for free consultation at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com.

There are quite a few ratios such as age and weight, height and weight etc, which makes one realize about overweight symptom. Obesity is a metabolic disorder, which causes simply because of the luxurious lifestyle and wrong food habits. However, this metabolic imbalance causes many other disorders such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Arthritis etc.

Many advertisements and flyers that we come across everyday tell us about the help that is available for obesity problem. Yes, regular exercise, yoga aasans, Pranayam, diet control and quite a few medications are helpful giving good results in short time.  However, most of the time, it is seen that once you leave the efforts of  weight loss, you tend to gain the same weight back.

Reduction in the weight loss efforts must be followed by some routine habits, if not all.  Such as if you are going to gym and doing aerobics for 45 minutes and now gained satisfactory weight, you still need to keep at least 20 minutes of walk after every meal, which will help the metabolism. If you have been on diet control and gained the loss of weight as much as you expected, you tend to eat all high calorie food again. You may do so once in a while and drink hot water with lime in it immediately after you finished that high calorie lovely meal of yours.

And of course, Yoga aasans and Pranayam that you were doing to reduce weight,even if not Yoga aasans, you must practice Kapaalbhanti Pranayam on daily basis for at least 5 minutes.

For proper diet, medication and planning advice, please feel free to email us at doctor@ayurvedagroup.com