Nutrition Through the Eyes of Ayurveda

One of the most comprehensive systems of medicine and nutrition available today has been in existence for more than 5000 years; it is called Ayurveda. The word Ayurveda means longevity through the knowledge and understanding of nature.
Through the use of modern medicine people are living longer, but the quality of many people’s health means they merely enjoy life less yet exist for longer. By applying the understanding of Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle guidelines you can not only prevent illness, but also it is possible to cure or reduce the discomfort of chronic conditions.

How Does This Work?
Ayurveda always orientates its therapies and diets according to the individual and then moves outward to the environment in which the individual inhabits.
Accepting that we are all intrinsically dissimilar, each with a different metabolism and response to foods it makes perfect sense to adjust our diet according to our individuality. Because Ayurveda sees the body as a functional rather than a biochemical system, and also understands and uses the energetic of foods; it is able to match the appropriate foods with the individual needs of the body.

Constitutional Nutrition
In order to do this we must first understand our individual nature of constitution. The ancient people that developed this system observed nature closely for hundreds of years. The outcome taught them that the physical universe is composed of four primary states of matter. It is also observed that some principle controls these different states of matter. This is known as the Tri-dosha system and governs nature, as we know it today.
In Ayurveda there are three basic constitutional types which combine to make seven possible constitutions. When we speak of a constitutional type we are speaking of the predominate principle or dosha. Everyone has a mixture of all three principles; the constitution is determined by the principle that is strongest and therefore controlling the metabolic function.
Constitution is fixed at the moment of conception. The physical constitution remains fixed for life.The names of these three principles (the tri dosha) are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
VATA: that which moves.
PITTA: that which burns.
KAPHA: that which holds and binds.

These three doshas combined to make the seven constitutional types which are:
• Vata
• Pitta
• Kapha
• Vata/Pitta
• Vata/Kapha
• Pitta/Kapha
• Vata/Pitta/Kapha

By understanding how your metabolism functions you can begin to work with it and not against it. Ayurveda places a healthy digestive system above all else, believing disease to begin in an acumination of toxins in the digestive system. If we are unable to absorb the nutrients we ingest, our bodies will remain undernourished no matter how good or how much food we are eating. If we work with our constitutional needs we will improve our digestion and in turn our health which will give us the freedom to enjoy our lives to the full.

How Can Knowing my Constitution (Dosha) Help My Food Choices?
Once we know our constitutional type we will be able to match up the foods best suited to our metabolic make up. Ayurveda is much more than food alone; it encompasses a system of healing built on thousands of years of wisdom, understanding and observation. By using the Ayurvedic system, one is taking advantage of one of the oldest nutritional systems and the contributions of countless doctors and patients over thousands of years.
For more information on consultations and nutritional workshops, cookery courses or Yoga and Ayurvedic nutrition contact Michael Newman, Acupuncturist & Ayurvedic Nutrionalist. Tel: 01364 73055. Mobile: 07956 494477.