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, 500600 BCE
Focused on balance
within and without
Emphasizes prevention
through proper diet and
lifestyle

Ayurveda

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
Key concepts

Vata
Digestibility

When out of
balance

Weight loss,
constipation,
hypertension, arthritis,
weakness, restlessness,
and digestive
challenges
Sweet, sour and salty

Balancing Tastes
Diet Characteristics

Pitta
Anti-inflammatory and
anti-oxidant
Skin rashes, peptic
ulcers, excessive body
heat, heartburn, and
indigestion

Bitter, sweet and

astringent
Moist, heavy and warm Cool, bland and
vegetarian
Well-cooked with oils
Raw foods ok, lots of
for easier absorption,
fruits and vegetables,
more carbohydrate,
milk, whole grains and
animal protein ok, less beans
gas producing foods
like cabbage family and
beans

Kapha
Nutrient dense, low
calorie
Overweight, CVD,
asthma, diabetes, and
depression.

Pungent, bitter and

astringent
Light and warm
Low-calorie, low-fat,
low-refined flour and
smaller portions

Ayurvedic Nutritional Theory

RasaInitial Taste
Taste (Rasa)

Elemental

Effect on

Composition Vata

Effect on

Effect on

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

Sour

Sour

Metabolic

Pungent,
bitter,
astringent

Pungent

Catabolic

Increases
Kapha
Increases
Pitta
Increases
Vata

Medical Nutrition Therapy

AMLA PITTA
AKA
GERD

A.N.D.
Approach

Nutrition Prescription

Trial of food restriction to reduce gastric acidity by

eliminating the following:

Nutrition Therapy for

Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease

Black and red pepper

Coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated)
Alcohol

Substitute smaller, more frequent meals

Trial of food restriction to assess effect on lower esophageal
sphincter pressure. Eliminate the following:

Chocolate
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
Approach

Kayachikitsa for Amla

Pitta
Mentioned in oldest
Ayurvedic Medical
Text: Charaka Samhita,
500-600 B.C.E.
Precise pathology
outlined in
Madhavanidana, circa
700 A.D.

Pitta reducing dietsweet, bitter and astringents tastes from

whole grains, beans, dark green leafy vegetables and dairy
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,
fermented foods, pungent spices like chili.
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and chocolate
Reduce meal size and practice mindful eating techniques with
particular attention to adequate chewing and portion sizes
Eat largest meal at lunch with a lighter, smaller dinner. Avoid
eating 3 hours before bedtime and do not lie down after eating
Limit fluids with meals, favoring them in between meals.
Herbs: Aloe vera juice or gel, avipattikar churna (a formulation of
powdered herbs), kama duda (a formulation of powdered herbs
and minerals) and many others
Regular sleep and eating habits
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

Turmeric or
Haridra
Curcuma longa Linn.
Rasa/Taste:
Bitter, Pungent
Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
Vipak/Metabolic Effect:
Pungent

Best for use with

Kapha and Pitta

Ayurvedic Uses:
Externally for skin disorders, wound
cleaning
Internally for skin disorders and
as an expectorant, analgesic, and for
hepatitis, worms, anemia, bleeding
disorders, diabetes
(Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Modern Science:
Possibly Effective for
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)

Cinnamon or
Twak
Cinamonum zeylonica
Rasa/Taste:
Bitter, Pungent and
Sweet
Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
Vipak/Metabolic Effect:
Pungent
Best for use with Vata
and Kapha

Ayurvedic Uses:
Externally for headache and
inflammation
Internally as a digestive and for
cardiac debility, bacterial
infection, diuretic, expectorant,
amenorrhea, infertility
(Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Modern Science:
Possibly Effective for
Premature ejaculation
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database,
http://naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs
=KAISER&s=NDC&sh=21)

Fenugreek or
Methika
Trigonella foenumgraecum
Rasa/Taste:
Pungent
Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
Vipak/Metabolic Effect:
Pungent
Best for use with
Kapha and Vata

Ayurvedic Uses:
Internally: Appetizer,
carminative, rheumatoid arthritis,
galactogogue, hypoglycemic
(Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Modern Science:
Insufficient Evidence to Rate
Diabetes
(Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database,
http://naturaldatabaseconsumer.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=KAISER&s=N
DC&pt=100&id=733&fs=NDC&searchid=39410884)

Ginger or
Shunthi
Zingiber officinale
Rasa/Taste:
Pungent

Ayurvedic uses:
Externally for painful swollen joints and
chills
Internally for pain, to enhance digestion,
and for nausea, vomiting, indigestion, antiinflammatory, arthritis, edema, asthma,
fever with chills
(Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants, Vaidya V.M.Gogte)

Virya/Energetic Effect:
Hot
Vipak/Metabolic Effect:
Sweet
Best for Kapha and
Vata

Modern Science:
Possibly effective for
Nausea and vomiting following surgery
Dizziness
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
2 visits with primary
physician

Diet
Daily routine
Exercise

Thank you!