Life & Style | Health
Well-being Q&A: Longevity
Dr VL Shyam, MD (Ay), M Phil,a certified Ayurvedic consultant, answers queries exclusively for readers of Friday
- Dr VL Shyam for Friday magazine
- Published: 00:00 February 10, 2012
- sour, salty and spicy foods
- alkali foods (those that have a high quantity of preservatives such as baking soda)
- tinned foods
- oily or deep-fried foods
- non-vegetarian foods
- alcohol
- Eyes: Triphala*
- Lymph: Asparagus
- Blood: Iron, Emblica officinalis*
- Muscle: Meat soups
- Fat: Milk, Commiphora mukul*
- Bones: Laccifer Lacca*, Red coral
- Nervous tissue: Convolvulus pluricaulis*
- Reproductive: Milk, Mucuna Pruriens*
I am a 53-year-old man who is a firm believer in the benefits of Ayurveda and yoga. Because of that I have successfully avoided contracting any of the lifestyle diseases that are so common these days. I regularly walk for an hour and do yoga for another hour. I am a strict vegetarian and avoid fast food as well. Which Ayurvedic supplements should I take to ensure that I am able to maintain my health?
GP Unni, Dubai
Although the natural deterioration of the body due to ageing is inevitable, Ayurveda does address the main causes of premature ageing.
Foodwise this would include overeating, eating at the wrong times, eating when suffering from indigestion and excessive consumption of the following:
Various lifestyle tendencies cause premature ageing as well. These include sleeping during the daytime and keeping awake at nights; overexertion or stress; and negative emotions. The branch of Ayurveda that specialises in the extension our ‘health span' is called Rasayana.
You are already implementing Rasayana therapy through your healthy lifestyle. The focalbasis of Rasayana is appropriate and accelerated nutrition leading to improved biological competence by promoting the qualities of body tissues.
For optimum results, it is best to go for a panchakarma therapy (Ayurveda detox) prior to Rasayana treatment.
You could also take 10-15g of sugar-based Aswagandadi lehyam* regularly at bedtime. Non-diabetics can take Chyavanaprasam* and Dasamoorishtam* regularly.
Here is a list of Rasayana therapies for specific parts of a human body:
Please note, finding the most suitable Rasayana programme requires a detailed consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor.
*Available at shops selling herbal products
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