Ayurveda

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE TRADITIONAL

HEALTH SCIENCE OF INDIA

PRESENTED BY KATHY GEHLKEN, MA, RD, CMP

BADA MINI CONFERENCE
FEBRUARY 2, 2013
The science of life

Dates back to the Vedic

period in Northern India

Worlds oldest known

medical text, The
Charaka Samhita, 500-
600 BCE

Focused on balance
within and without

Emphasizes prevention

Ayurveda
through proper diet and
lifestyle
5 Elements
Combine to
Make 3 Doshas
Biological energies

VATA PITTA KAPHA

PRAKRUTI or
PHENOTYPE
 Ayurgenomics

Juyal RC, Negi S, Wakhode P, Bhat S, Bhat B, et al. (2012) Potential of

Ayurgenomics Approach in Complex Trait Research: Leads from a Pilot Study
on Rheumatoid Arthritis. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45752.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045752

N=325 experimental, 356 control

Vata : Inflammatory genes IL1b (C-C-C haplotype, p = 0.0005, OR = 3.09)

CD40 (rs4810485 allelic, p = 0.04, OR = 2.27)
Associate with more pronounced disease characteristics like joint swelling and pain

Pitta: Oxidative stress pathway genes SOD3 (rs699473, p = 0.004, OR = 1.83)

SOD3 (rs2536512, p = 0.005; OR = 1.88)
PON1 rs662, p = 0.04, OR = 1.53)

Kapha: Oxidative stress pathway gene SOD3 (rs2536512, genotypic, p = 0.02, OR = 2.39)
 Ayurgenomics

Prasher, Bhavana, et al. Whole Genome Expression and

Biochemical Correlates of Extreme Constitutional Types Defined in
Ayurveda. Journal of Translational Medicine 6:48 (2008) available
from: http://www.translational-medicine.com/contents/6/1/48

Homogenous North Indian population N=96 (Vata=39, Pitta=29, Kapha=28)

(48 men, 48 women)

Results: Biochemical
Men had 15 parameters with significant differences
Women had 4 parameters with significant differences

Genotyping
Vata men: upregulation of cyclin dependent protein kinase genes
Kapha men: down-regulation of genes involved in fibrinolysis
Pitta men: overexpression of genes involved in immune response
 Eating for Balance

Dosha Vata Pitta Kapha

Key concepts Digestibility Anti-inflammatory and Nutrient dense, low
anti-oxidant calorie
When out of Weight loss, Skin rashes, peptic Overweight, CVD,
balance constipation, ulcers, excessive body asthma, diabetes, and
hypertension, arthritis, heat, heartburn, and depression.
weakness, restlessness, indigestion
and digestive
challenges
Balancing Tastes Sweet, sour and salty Bitter, sweet and Pungent, bitter and
astringent astringent
Diet Characteristics Moist, heavy and warm Cool, bland and Light and warm
vegetarian
Well-cooked with oils Raw foods ok, lots of Low-calorie, low-fat,
for easier absorption, fruits and vegetables, low-refined flour and
more carbohydrate, milk, whole grains and smaller portions
animal protein ok, less beans
gas producing foods
like cabbage family and
beans
 Ayurvedic Nutritional Theory

RasaInitial Taste

Taste (Rasa) Elemental Effect on Effect on Effect on

Composition Vata Pitta Kapha
Sweet Earth & Water

Sour Earth & Fire

Salty Fire & Water

Bitter Air & Fire

Pungent Ether & Air

Astringent Air & Earth

ViryaEnergetic Effect on the Body

Rasa Virya Action

Sweet Cool Strong

Sour Heating Weak

Salty Heating Medium

Pungent Heating Strong

Bitter Cooling Medium

Astringent Cooling Weak

 VipakMetabolic Effect

Rasa Vipak Action Effect on

Doshas
Sweet, salty Sweet Anabolic Increases
Kapha
Sour Sour Metabolic Increases
Pitta
Pungent, Pungent Catabolic Increases
bitter, Vata
astringent
Medical Nutrition Therapy

AMLA PITTA
AKA
GERD
 Nutrition Prescription
A.N.D. Trial of food restriction to reduce gastric acidity by
eliminating the following:
Approach Black and red pepper
Coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated)
Alcohol
Substitute smaller, more frequent meals
Nutrition Therapy for Trial of food restriction to assess effect on lower esophageal
sphincter pressure. Eliminate the following:
Gastroesophageal Chocolate
Reflux Disease Mint
Foods with a high fat content
Initiate weight-reduction program if overweight
Initiate smoking cessation
Improve clearing of materials from esophagus
Remain upright after eating
Avoid eating no later than 3 hours before bedtime
Wear loose-fitting clothing
Raise the head of bed for sleeping
(Kaltenbach, 2006; Nocon, 2007; Shapiro, 2007; Dore,
2007; Fox, 2007)

https://nutritioncaremanual.org/content.cfm?ncm_content_id=82395
Ayurvedic Pitta reducing dietsweet, bitter and astringents tastes from
whole grains, beans, dark green leafy vegetables and dairy
Approach Emphasize the bitter taste with food and herbs
Low-fat diet, avoiding all fatty and fried foods
Avoid foods with the sour and pungent taste: acidic foods,
Kayachikitsa for Amla fermented foods, pungent spices like chili.
Pitta Avoid alcohol, caffeine and chocolate
Reduce meal size and practice mindful eating techniques with
Mentioned in oldest particular attention to adequate chewing and portion sizes
Ayurvedic Medical Eat largest meal at lunch with a lighter, smaller dinner. Avoid
Text: Charaka Samhita, eating 3 hours before bedtime and do not lie down after eating
500-600 B.C.E. Limit fluids with meals, favoring them in between meals.
Herbs: Aloe vera juice or gel, avipattikar churna (a formulation of
Precise pathology powdered herbs), kama duda (a formulation of powdered herbs
outlined in and minerals) and many others
Madhavanidana, circa Regular sleep and eating habits
700 A.D. Stress reduction
Exercise according to Prakriti
Science and Ayurveda
 Spice Science

Used as functional foods in Ayurveda

Modern science has determined that spices contain

bioactive compounds
Phenolic compounds
Essential oils

And that spices act as

Anti-oxidants
Anti-bacterials
Anti-inflammatories
Anti-virals
Anti-carcinogenics

Viuda-Martos, M., Ruiz-Navajas, Y., Fernndez-Lpez , J. & Prez-lvarez, J.A. (2010) Spices as Functional Foods. Critical Reviews in Food
Science and Nutrition. 51:1, 13-28
 Ayurvedic Uses:
Turmeric or Externally for skin disorders, wound
Haridra cleaning
Curcuma longa Linn.
Internally for skin disorders and
Rasa/Taste: as an expectorant, analgesic, and for
Bitter, Pungent
hepatitis, worms, anemia, bleeding
Virya/Energetic Effect: disorders, diabetes
Hot (Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Vipak/Metabolic Effect: Modern Science:

Pungent
Possibly Effective for
Best for use with
Kapha and Pitta
Stomach upset (dyspepsia)
Pain of Osteoarthritis.
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database,
http://naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs
=kaiser&s=NDC&pt=100&id=662&fs=NDC&searchid=39410884)
 Ayurvedic Uses:
Cinnamon or
Twak Externally for headache and
Cinamonum zeylonica inflammation
Rasa/Taste: Internally as a digestive and for
Bitter, Pungent and
Sweet
cardiac debility, bacterial
infection, diuretic, expectorant,
Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
amenorrhea, infertility
(Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Vipak/Metabolic Effect:
Pungent Modern Science:
Best for use with Vata Possibly Effective for
and Kapha Premature ejaculation
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database,
http://naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs
=KAISER&s=NDC&sh=21)
 Ayurvedic Uses:
Fenugreek or
Methika Internally: Appetizer,
Trigonella foenum- carminative, rheumatoid arthritis,
graecum
galactogogue, hypoglycemic
Rasa/Taste: (Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)
Pungent

Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
Modern Science:
Vipak/Metabolic Effect:
Pungent Insufficient Evidence to Rate
Best for use with Diabetes
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database,
Kapha and Vata http://naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=KAISER&s=N
DC&pt=100&id=733&fs=NDC&searchid=39410884)
 Ayurvedic uses:
Ginger or Externally for painful swollen joints and
Shunthi chills
Zingiber officinale Internally for pain, to enhance digestion,
and for nausea, vomiting, indigestion, anti-
Rasa/Taste: inflammatory, arthritis, edema, asthma,
Pungent fever with chills
(Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
Modern Science:
Vipak/Metabolic Effect: Possibly effective for
Sweet
Nausea and vomiting following surgery
Best for Kapha and Dizziness
Vata Menstrual pain
Arthritis
Preventing morning sickness
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database,
http://naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=KAIS
ER&s=NDC&pt=100&id=961&fs=NDC&searchid=39410884)
 Does It Work?

Elder, C., Aickin, M., Bauer, V., Cairns, J. Vuckovic, N. (2006)

Randomized Trial of A Whole-System Ayurvedic Protocol for Type 2
Diabetes. Alternative Therapies. 12(5): 24-30
n=60
No significant differences for clinical outcomes at 6 months
However, patients with higher baseline HbA1c measurements in the Ayurvedic
group showed
Statistically significant improvements in
HbA1c (P=.006)
Fasting glucose (P=.001),
Total cholesterol (P=.05),
LDL cholesterol (P=.04)
Weight (P=.035).
 During the Six Month Study

Ayurvedic Protocol Kaiser Protocol

Herbs 4 sessions of Diabetes

Meditation patient education
Diet 2 visits with primary
Daily routine
physician
Exercise
Thank you!