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Ayurvedic Approach in Chronic Disease Management

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Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy

Abstract

Dating back more than 5000 years, Ayurveda is a complete system of healing originating from India. Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit words: ayur, meaning life, and veda, meaning science or knowledge. It focuses not only on disease management but also on prevention and continued wellness. Its approach is unique in that it focuses on the root causes of diseases and offers an individualized plan for the client, based on his or her body constitution or Prakruti. Prakruti consists of three types of energetic bodies or humors called doshas, comprised of the five great elements as found in nature. Doshas are therefore affected not only by the diet we eat but also by the outside forces of nature. For that reason, lifestyle management regimens such as a daily routine (Dinacharya) based on the circadian rhythm and a seasonal routine (Ritucharya) are advocated. Treatment in Ayurveda, in general, involves improving the digestive fire (Agni) to increase metabolism and eliminating toxins (Ama). Regular detoxification therapies called Panchakarma help with balancing doshas, which is then followed by rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana) with specific herbs. Integrating Ayurveda with modern medicine can offer a more holistic approach in combating the current epidemic of obesity and chronic metabolic diseases.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Irvine, CA, USA

    Sangeeta Shrivastava

  2. Private Practice, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Willowbrook, IL, USA

    Pushpa Soundararajan

  3. Private Practice, Rancho Mission Viejo, CA, USA

    Anjula Agrawal

Authors
  1. Sangeeta Shrivastava
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  2. Pushpa Soundararajan
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  3. Anjula Agrawal
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Noland Nutrition, Burbank, CA, USA

    Diana Noland

  2. Professor Emeritus, School of Medicine, University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Jeanne A. Drisko

  3. Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA

    Leigh Wagner

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Shrivastava, S., Soundararajan, P., Agrawal, A. (2020). Ayurvedic Approach in Chronic Disease Management. In: Noland, D., Drisko, J., Wagner, L. (eds) Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30730-1_45

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30730-1_45

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-30729-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-30730-1

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