Abstract

CRITICAL STUDY OF ROLE OF REGULAR USE (SHEELAYET) OF WHOLESOME DIET IN PREVENTION OF LIFESTYLE DISEASES

Dr. Mangala Dilip Wange* and Dr. Dilip U. Wange

Abstract

Trayopsthambha (Three sub-pillars), advised by ancient sages, are essential to maintain health. Diet is one of these three sub-pillars, plays important role in maintenance of physical and mental health and thus to get longevity of human being. Many Ayurvedic texts have mentioned wholesome diet with its qualities and functions in detail. Vagabhata mentioned the list of shilayet ahara dravya, i. e., wholesome food for regular use including food items of all tastes. Not following rules of diet mentioned in ayurvedic texts may be the reason for these life style disorders. It is necessary to review the shilayet ahara dravya, i. e., wholesome food for regular use as given in major ayurvedic texts i. e. Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya in detail and to study its role in prevention of life-style disorders. Review of shilayet dravya i. e. wholesome diet according to Vagbhatacharya shows that diet should include all six tastes and sweet is prominent. Guna (quality), Virya (potency), Vipaka (taste at the end of digestion), and Prabhava (special effect) all equally support for maintenance of health and prevention of disease to achieve the life‟s aim. Shilayet dravya i. e. wholesome diet certainly helps in prevention of lifestyle disorders by maintenance of balance of dosha-dhatu-mala.

Keywords: shilayet ahara dravya, wholesome food, life-style disorders.