Obesity and Ayurveda What is obesity? Generally, a patient with a body mass index, or B.M.I., of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight; one with a B.M.I. of 30 or higher is considered obese. Does obesity cause complications? Yes. Obese patients are at a risk of developing Diabetes mellitus, Cardiovascular diseases and Hypertension in the long term. How much weight should I lose? Weight losing process should be gradual. Losing 4-5 kg over a period of 2-3 months and then keeping it at the same pace under the supervision of consulting doctor is advisable. What kind of diet do you recommend for me? Avoid diets that are rich in fats. Diet should be wholesome with sufficient fiber content. Fruits and vegetables should be the foundation of any long-term diet. Does a low calorie diet help in losing weight? Yes. Weight reduction can be achieved by reducing food intake and by regular exercise. A low calorie diet should constitute a low carbohydrate, high fiber, moderate protein and a low fat diet. Does meal frequency matter? Yes. It is better to eat twice or thrice a day helps to maintain your body weight as well as your health. Do I need gastric bypass surgery? This procedure is an option only for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by other means. As it may cause several side effects and may sometimes be fatal. It should be emphasized that surgery should be considered only for those with gross, intractable obesity. Is it safe for me to exercise? How should I begin? Most obese people are capable of moderate aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, gardening, dancing. Moderate exercise usually is safe even for obese patients, though it is wise to undergo a physical evaluation before beginning a new program. Patients should begin slowly with activities they enjoy. Regular daily exercise will help in reducing than exercising once in a while. What if I lose weight and put it back on again? Some studies suggest that weight cycling, or yo-yo dieting, may be linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gall bladder disease and other health problems. Keeping exercise as a routine habit will help in maintaining weight than exercising once in a while. Does Ayurveda-Panchakarma help in loosing weight? Definitely. Ayurveda medicines and Panchakarma therapies helps to detoxify our body. Thus, helps in reducing weight. Which type of Panchakarma therapies helps in loosing weight? It varies from person to person. Generally, Vamana, Virechana, Lekhana Basti and Udwartana helps in reducing weight.