Category: Ayurveda

Weight Loss – 7 Food Items That May Help You Lose Weight Naturally

Overview

These days people are having problems with increased body weight and health conditions due to it. Today nearly 1 out of 5 people in developed countries are overweight.

Weight gain is when the bodyweight increases, it involves an increase in muscle mass, fat deposits and excess fluid such as water, etc.  Weight gain can be the cause of serious medical issue or may be due to wrong lifestyle and diet

weight loss herbal remedies

If a lot of weight is gained due to the accumulation of body fat, one may become overweight or obese. The body mass index measures the body weight in proportion to the square of the height and it defines the ratio in optimal, insufficient and excessive body weight.

Sometimes you may unintentionally increase your weight without increasing your food intake but decreasing the physical activities.

There may either be 3 types of fluctuations.

These are:

1) In some cases, weight fluctuations occur periodically every now and then due to menstrual cycles in most of women.

2) Rapid weight gain is often a side effect of some medications, can also lead to unintentional weight gain.

3) Continuous weight gain is an issue of gaining weight due to varying factors like overeating and advancing age.

Here are some additional factors of gaining weight like hormonal changes, during the time of menopause and other factors also noted in the case of women such as pregnancy and after delivery, they gain weight.

Most people are unsure how to lose weight safely and naturally and at this time, everyone is fighting with body weight.

Ayurveda suggests some home and natural remedies that may help in weight loss but before moving forward we also need to take some extra steps which should be added in weight loss trends to avoid continuous weight gain

  • A person should eat easy to digest food and  take the light evening meal
  • Drink hot water to help cleanse the digestive tract and blockage and flush out the impurities of  the body
  • Avoid eating highly processed, packaged and junk foods
  • Move your body. Indulge in some physical activities and yoga
  • Limit your intake of added sugar

Food Items That May Help You Lose Weight Naturally

7 Food Items That May Help You Lose Weight Naturally

1. Cinnamon Tea and Honey

Like honey, cinnamon has many medicinal properties; it contains antioxidants which help to improve health in various forms. It can help to improve metabolism and improve insulin function, thereby helps in weight loss

  • Boil a cup of water,
  • Add1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and let it cool.
  • Now add a teaspoon of raw and organic honey in it

2. Avocados

This fruit is high in carbohydrates and rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, and potassium. People who eat avocados on a daily basis tend to have low BMI and avocados can be the perfect addition to vegetable salad. It is a good appetite suppressant.

3. Herbal Green Tea

It is considered to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. One of the most recommended beverages which help in weight loss. Green tea is full of antioxidants. These antioxidants boost metabolism and beneficial in weight loss. These days’ people more rely on Green tea among all the healthier beverages which have also been proven effective.

4. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

It helps to boost our metabolism and helps to lose weight by burning more calories in a day. It has also found to satiate the hunger for longer period of time. Consuming coconut oil every day can burn fat especially belly fat but it is also a fact that finding organic, un refined and virgin coconut oil is difficult

b: It can be considered the alternative of olive and margarine oil for cooking food; and can be added to the salads as well. Adding a teaspoon of coconut oil in the boiling water for every half cup of rice helps to reduce calories if you eat it on daily basis.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is produced through 2 steps of the fermentation process.

The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar may promote weight loss in several ways:

  • It lowers the level of blood sugar
  • Reduces fat storage like fat stored in belly or liver fat
  • Burns fat
  • Improves metabolism so it helps to decrease fat and sugar production in the liver
  • Suppresses appetite. Acetic present in it may suppress centers in the brain to control appetite so the food intake is relatively reduced.

6. Oatmeal

Oatmeal itself can help you lose weight.  After eating oatmeal, people feel fuller and less hungry in comparison to other cereals. The fibers and loads of nutrients contained in it are also beneficial for the digestive system.

  • The snack bar is also to be made by oats which is nutritious but at the same time void of carbohydrates and calories.
  • Homemade bread and pancake made up of oatmeal flour add to the taste as well as help in weight loss

7. Nuts

Nuts are extremely healthy, they are full of nutrients and antioxidants, may prevent weight gain. Mid day craving can be managed by some of the nuts:

  • Almonds are considered to be as a pre-workout meal, those who’re looking to shed some weight, almonds can be beneficial for them. They contain the amino acid, which helps you to burn more carbs and calories during the workout.
  • Walnuts are high in unsaturated fat which is healthier for the heart. It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, magnesium and antioxidants. It suppresses your unnecessary craving and stimulates your body to lose weight faster.
  • Pistachios have fewer calories as compared to most of the nuts. Their high fiber content allows you to feel full without overeating.

Eating all these above foods can help to shed your body weight. But nature has given us many more organic food items as well.

In Ayurveda, piperine present in pepper enhances the metabolism. Taking a pinch of pepper along with honey and lemon in hot water can help in quick weight loss by boosting the process.

There are more such remedies taken from ancient Ayurvedic science that are herbal and natural and helpful for those who are searching for weight loss techniques in modern science which might give some sort of side effects to your body

How to Treat Cervical Spondylosis with Ayurveda

What is CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS TREATMENT IN AYURVEDA

It is the disorder related to aging which involves discs, vertebrae, and ligaments in the neck or cervical spine.

It is also known as Arthritis of the Neck, Cervical osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Osteoarthritis.

In cervical spondylosis, edges of the vertebrae start developing osteophytes. After some time the disc becomes thinner and loses its ability to absorb the shock that increases the risk of spondylosis.

If joints in the neck are swollen it is called FACET JOINTS. It makes pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerve roots that create a tingling or pricking sensation and pain in limbs. In some cases, there is a loss of sensation and coordination. Some people develop difficulty in walking.

ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

Cervical spondylosis in Ayurveda is described under “GRIVA SANDHIGATA VATA “or also called as “MANYASATAMBH” means stiffness in the neck. The abnormality in Vata doshas is caused by two procedure, in which one is Kapha and Pitta is not functioning properly.

Herbal Remedies for Cervical Spondylosis

The shalok describes that MANYA SATAMBH is a vataj dosha. When abnormal Vayu dosha entered into the nerves of neck, then MANYA SATAMBH develop. In this roga(disease) neck is contracted and stiffened inside.  Neck become stiff, watering from the mouth, teeth chattering is present, the body becomes rigid type. Back part is stretched, yawning or giddiness is present. They are the symptoms of MANYA SATAMBH.

CAUSES OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

  • OVERGROWTH OF BONES: The body trying to grow extra bones for making a stronger spine. This overgrowth of bones is called BONE SPURS or OSTEOPHYTES. This overgrowth of bones creates pressure on the delicate or soft area of the spine, like on spinal cord and nerves, which starts causing pain.
  • DRYING OF GEL-LIKE MATERIAL IN THE DISCS: In our spinal bones, discs are present between there is thick, pad-like cushions. This material protects from shock, injury, lifting, twisting, and other physical activities. This gel-like material start drying gradually and spinal discs become dehydrated bones rubbing with each other, so this is painful.
  • CRACKS IN THE DISCS:  The spinal discs start because of which gel-like material starts leaking. This leakage material puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that results in pain and numbness.
  • INJURY OR ANY TRAUMA: Any trauma to your neck, like during road accident, falling, fighting, etc. damage the spinal discs.
  • STIFFNESS IN THE LIGAMENT: The ligaments of the spinal cord start stiffening that makes your neck stiffed or tight and create restrictions in the movement of the neck.
  • MORE USING OF NECK: In some occupations or professional works and in some hobbies forceful and continues movements of the neck region,  this put the pressure on the spine.
  • Some genetical factors are also responsible for spondylosis.
  • As previously present in the family.
  • Smoking and any drug addiction are also responsible.
  • Overweight and lazy, inactive persons become primary for cervical spondylosis.
  • Any hormonal imbalance.

SYMPTOMS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Normally patients of cervical spondylosis, do not have any symptoms.

The range of clinical features occur from mild to severe or sometimes develop suddenly.

Common symptom is PAIN. Sometimes the pain radiates to the arm and fingers.

The pain mostly accelerates during

  • Person is in standing position
  • During the sitting position
  • While sneezing
  • At the time of coughing
  • When you are tilting your neck backward

Another symptom that is common is the weakness of the muscle. Due to weakening of muscles, it is difficult to grasps the objects and it is harder to lift the objects in arms.

Other common signs are:

  • The neck becomes stiffed
  • Headache mostly occurs
  • On the shoulder& leg region and arm, there is tingling sensation and numbness also occur in legs.

COMPLICATIONS OF CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

Cervical myelopathy can create other disabilities at different grading.

  • Tetraplegia
  • A chest infection can occur recurrently
  • Paraplegia
  • Pressure on the sores

Best Exercise for Cervical Spondylitis

EXERCISE FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

  • Try to keep your body in a straight position. Make your posture straight during sitting and standing, don’t create a C-type curve shape posture of the spinal area. It is also called NECK STRETCH exercise. Hold this step for at least 5 seconds, and do the 5 repetitions.
  • NECK TILT sideways and also forwardly tilt your neck so that it touches the chest area. Do this for about 5 seconds and repeat this exercise 5 times.
  • NECK TURNING EXERCISE: Just turn your head at one side in a comfortable manner, stretch your neck muscle softly. Repeat this process, in the opposite direction.
  • SHOULDER EXERCISE: Move your shoulder in a round or circular manner, this process stretches your neck and spinal muscle.

LIFESTYLE ADVICE

  • Yoga like Tadasana, bhujangaasan, etc. and other physical activities such as swimming, cycling, light dumbbell, pushups are useful in cervical spondylosis.
  • PHYSIOTHERAPY is also another option for treating cervical spondylosis.
  • Painkiller can be used in severe condition.
  • Avoid physical or mental efforts, try to stay free from mental stress.
  • Take a good hour of sleep during night time. At least 6-7 hours of sleep is necessary.
  • Have a soothing massage with lukewarm oil.
  • Intake of easily digested food should be increased, vegetable soups, dairy products and nuts like almond, cashew nuts are added to your daily life.
  • Start taking of protein, calcium-rich diet.
  • Take a sunbath which is a good source of vitamin D, makes your bones stronger.

HOME REMEDIES FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS

  • Take two cloves of garlic and crush them. Add this paste to one glass of milk. Put it on a low flame for boiling, when one-fourth part is left, then strain it and divide it into two equal parts. Drink one part in the morning and another one at night time.
  • Take one tablespoon of castor oil before sleeping time.
  • Massage with almond oil or sesame oil on the back give a soothing effect.
  • During pain, you can take one glass of hot milk and add a pinch of turmeric in it. This remedy act as a natural analgesic.
  • An ice pack can be used during pain or stiffness.
  • Heat therapy also is used.
  • Take some cloves of garlic and one tablespoon of ajwain and roasts them until they become reddish brown, now add this material into the warm mustard oil or sesame oil. Massage with this oil mixture.