Not all fats are BAD...!!!

Ghee is a good fat...!

Ghee (clarified butter), which is known as ‘ghrita’ in Ayurveda, is described as ‘the best’ among lipid media due to its quality of inheriting and enhancing the drug potency. It is given foremost importance for internal usage in diet or as an adjuvant medicine. It is extensively used in Ayurvedic practice, especially in degenerative, chronic and deep-seated diseases.

Ghee is used as medicine by itself or as media for extraction, absorption and assimilation of any medicine. It is used as medicine when qualities of lipids and fats are required for treatment. It is used as solvent or base for extraction of herbomineral active principles. It is used as media for absorption of lipid soluble vitamins or other active principles in the food or medicine. It is also used as a carrier media in certain medicines to facilitate the transport of active principles across the cell membrane, which is permeable only to lipid molecules, e.g., the blood-brain barrier where transport of ‘medhya’ (which promote intellect and memory) medicines is possible if the drug is processed in lipid media.

Ghee is used in different doses for different purposes at different timings in Ayurvedic treatment. It is given in larger doses in empty stomach without food for the purpose of cleansing the body by panchakarma procedures. Where as, if it is to increase the bulk of the body, then it is given in small quantities mixed with food. Similarly, if it is used as medicine to alleviate some disease process, then it is given in moderate doses in empty stomach.

The relevance of such usage of ghee in this era of ‘Cholesterol Threat’ can be explained as follows:
Even though ghee is an animal fat, studies have shown that the larger doses given for cleansing purpose do not increase the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol, LDL. Instead, this increased the ‘good’ cholesterol HDL or sometimes did not alter the lipid profile at all.

Alleviating doses of medicated ghee is helpful in absorption and transport of lipid soluble active principles across cell membranes, which are permeable only to lipid media. Also, ghee has the ability to increase the levels of fat soluble vitamins, especially Vitamin E in the blood which is an important antioxidant in preventing oxidation of LDL in the sub-endothelial space of arteries and thus, preventing atherosclerosis and the consequent heart attack or stroke.

Bulk promoting doses of ghee are used where there is indication for that, especially in a lean and emaciated person. In such cases, there will be deficiency of fats and fat-soluble principles. Moreover, even though LDL is depicted as ‘bad’ cholesterol, it is required in its non-oxidized form to build and repair the cell wall and hence, for all structural units in the body. So, administration of ghee in such persons will fulfill the deficient principles to build, maintain and repair those structural units.

Many enzymes and hormones are also released and activated by lipids in GI tract and blood. Ghee stimulates biliary secretion and contraction of gall bladder. It nourishes GI mucosa, lubricates it, enhances the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and strengthens the colonic flora of useful microbes.

Thus, usage of Ghee in suitable conditions with suitable doses of suitable preparations will render thousands of benefits due to nullification of toxins and toxic effects of drugs; increased absorption, transportation and bio-availability of the drugs used and also by acting as a media to dissolve and enhance the efficacy of the active principles in the drugs used. Hence, usage of ghee explained in Ayurveda is very appropriate, if it is used judiciously by considering the indications and contra-indications properly.

Pleasant Ayurveda?

Comfort may cause you discomfort...!

Health problems these days are becoming more difficult to tackle due to their multidimensional causes, onset, progression and treatment options. The world, hence, is looking for more holistic and ‘wholistic’ approach to healthcare. In addition, people are concentrating towards more of preventive healthcare and promotional ways to positive health. This is evident by the increasing number of Health & Wellness centers, websites, information pages and professionals in various such fields. We can see increasing number of fitness centers, fitness programs, popularity of Yoga and such other modalities as well.

Ayurveda is one among such health and wellness sciences recommended these days worldwide. Its history dates back to more than 5000 years. It was originated in the Himalayas of Northern India and was the only medical science available during those days. It was not only a medical science to be practiced in hospitals or clinics but an art of living healthy and fit in the most natural way. Somewhere in the period in between, it was out of practice for various reasons and hence, lost various valuable information and links of practical knowledge. Now, again the signs of ‘reincarnation’ of Ayurveda are being observed not only in India but worldwide.

Ayurveda is being practiced in different forms in different set ups for different purposes. Basically they can be classified as Ayurvedic Spas & Beauty Centers, Ayurveda Clinics & Hospitals, Ayurveda Villages & Resorts and Ayurveda Education & Training Institutes, keeping research centers & institutes in a different list. These can exist all together in a same center or some combinations of them in a center or alone as a unit.

Among the people looking for Ayurveda, there are two basic differences. One group will be looking for a pleasant and luxurious experience and the other for more authentic, therapeutic and classical remedies. Even though there is no harm in making the experience luxurious and pleasant, this alone should not play a major role so that the genuine concept, methods and products are compromised. In such situations, it is better to have something effective, natural and beneficial even though it is a little unpleasant and uncomfortable. It is like taking a bitter medicine to control the elevated blood sugar. Sugar may be pleasant but not healthy or good in such condition.

Ayurveda is like ‘mother’. It cares for the health and happiness of living beings. Do we change our mother if she is not beautiful or pleasing? (Of course, mothers always look beautiful to their kids). Similarly, we don’t have to change the concept, methods or products which are proven to be effective and good, just for the reason that it is not pleasing to the mind or sense organs. Major reasons for our health problems are our efforts to please our mind, body and sense organs by unhealthy eating habits and life style including increasing comforts. Do we still need something comfortable and pleasing if it is of no use or adverse in effects?

My suggestion before ending is, look for a center or professional of Ayurveda where commercialization is not compromising the authenticity of concepts, methods or products in preventive or curative measures of Ayurveda, in the name of making it comfortable or pleasant. It hurts more, when such compromises are done by so called ‘Ayurveda propagators’ and ‘qualified’ Ayurveda professionals as well. It does not mean that all centers with comfortable facilities have compromised but it depends on the extent of such modifications made and the reasoning behind them.

That’s all for now…“Wish you a healthy & peaceful life”