Abstract

AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF AHARA KALPANA IN VIEW OF UNDERSTANDING NUTRACEUTICALS

Dr. Taniya Thakur*, Dr. Harsha N. M., Dr. Hari G., Dr. Dixit Rattan, Dr. Rachana Thakur, Dr. Gaurav

Abstract

There can be nothing else except ahara (diet) for sustaining life of living beings. Dietary risk factors have raised attention worldwide for Non- Communicable Diseases (NCD). According to a data published in the year 2019, 7.9 million deaths & 187.7 million DALYs (Disability-adjusted life years) were attributable to dietary risk factors and NCDs.[1] This is alarming to the health, community and food sciences, pharmaceuticals and preventive medicine towards adopting a natural diet-based lifestyle. Ayurveda lays great deal of emphasis upon proper pathya for treatment in patients which is evident from the fact that there is specific enlisting of wholesome and unwholesome diet and regimen. If observed keenly, it can be seen that Ayurvedic concept of medicinal foods largely coincides with existing understanding of nutraceuticals. The ideal supplementation of natural foods, antioxidants, dairy products, citrus fruits, vitamins, minerals and cereals which form major chunk of nutraceuticals, are part of Ayurvedic lifestyle. The identification of diet with specific benefits in right proportions is ideal for disease prevention and curative purpose. The changing trends in perception of people and growing commercial importance, it is quite important to understand the basic type of dietary supplement with medicinal value as per Ayurvedic way of life. So, the current review is aimed to discuss the need and requirement of basic Ahara kalpana mentioned in Ayurveda in the perspective of herbal nutraceuticals.

Keywords: Nutraceuticals, Ahara, Ayurveda, Pathya, Anupana, lifestyle.