1. Obesity, Metabolic Fire, and Ayurveda
Peeyush Bhargava MD, ABIHM
In today’s society obesity is an epidemic. It is a risk factor for many chronic diseases
and takes a toll on the individual, their family, and the whole society. Body Mass Index
(BMI) is an accurate representation of body’s fat content as it takes height into account.
BMI of 25 of more is considered overweight and BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.
Find out your BMI using an online calculator at: http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/. According
to recent estimates, about 33.3% of US adults are overweight (BMI ≥ 25.0) and 35.9%
are obese (BMI ≥ 30.0). That means only about 30.8% of US adults have normal body
weight. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and
certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death. In 2008,
medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion; the medical costs
for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight. Treatment of
obesity is a huge market with solutions ranging from diet and exercise plans, to surgical
options. Most available methods are unnatural, may have serious adverse effects, and
fail to address the lifestyle choices which lead to weight gain in the first place.
To some extent, we can generalize that the difference between intake (as in calories
from food) and output (as in energy spent in physical activity) is directly proportional to
weight gain. So, as we put this in an equation we find: [Intake - Output = (1/k) x Weight
Gained]. Where k represents the person’s rate of metabolism. It is related to the
observation that there are people who do not eat much, but still gain weight (likely from
slow rate of metabolism) and then there are people who don't put on weight irrespective
of eating frequent heavy meals (likely from a faster rate of metabolism). Ayurveda
(Sanskrit word which translates as the 'science of longevity') is the ancient Indian
medical science which describes this rate of metabolism (k) as the metabolic fire.
People with a strong metabolic fire, have a stronger digestive capacity and are not likely
to become overweight or obese, and people with weak digestive fires have a slow and
weak digestion, and are likely to gain weight easily. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, continued
over years, lead to excess body fat accumulation. According to Ayurveda, people with
Kapha predominant constitution are predisposed to accumulate excess body fat. The
metabolic fire can be rekindled with Yoga (specifically Surya Namaskar or Sun
Salutation) lifestyle changes, and herbal supplements.
Sun is the primary source of all energy on our planet. It is considered the ultimate
source of fire in Ayurveda and the source of body’s metabolic fire, which said to be
located at the umbilicus, the site of Manipur chakra, the fire element, and corresponding
to the endocrine organ pancreas. Pancreas plays a key role in metabolism. It is both
an endocrine gland producing several important hormones (insulin, glucagon,

2. somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide), and a digestive organ, secreting pancreatic
juice containing digestive enzymes, in the small intestine. Some suggest that after
sunset body’s metabolic fire weakens so we should not eat after sunset as that food is
inadequately digested and leads to weight gain. It is a common observation that the
later we eat at night and closer to sleeping, more is the weight gain. Sun Salutation or
Surya Namaskar (SN) is a classic yoga exercise consisting of 12 asanas preformed
sequentially, and synchronized with breathing. It is considered a comprehensive and
ideal practice for physical and spiritual wellbeing. SN is performed as a prayer to the
Sun, ideally at sunrise and in open air, facing east. It has aerobic and dynamic
components, and has been shown to improve strength, body composition, and general
body endurance. Performing 6-8 rounds will achieve the energy expenditure of light
exercise intensity, and a 10 minute practice may improve cardio-respiratory fitness in
unfit or sedentary individuals. Find more information
at: http://www.slideshare.net/drbhargav/the-physiology-of-sun-salutation-surya-
namasakar.
The herbs used to stimulate metabolic fire include a classic combination of three herbs
called Trikatu, which includes black pepper (Piper nigrum), long pepper (Piper longum),
and ginger (Zingiber officinale) powders. Since the recommendation of herbs is based
on patient’s individual body constitution, (their unique balance of the three energies:
Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth)), the dose and frequency of intake of this
herbal supplement cannot be generalized. It is typically recommended only after careful
evaluation of patient’s constitution, lifestyle, and medical issues. In general, people
trying to lose weight should PREFER: small frequent meals, eating slowly and mindfully,
consuming more fresh fruits, salads, sprouts, vegetable soups, mild green or black tea,
whole wheat pasta or tortilla, mung beans, and lentils. They should use ginger, garlic,
black pepper, cumin, coriander, and turmeric for cooking. They should AVOID:
overeating, fasting, alcohol, cheese and dairy products, meat, white bread, banana,
rice, processed and canned food, fried foods, desserts, and artificial sweeteners. Other
Ayurveda based lifestyle recommendations to control weight by strengthening the
metabolic fire can be found at: http://www.vedic-healing.com/web/weight-loss-healing-
program/. Remember that balance and moderation is the key and your BMI is the most
important indicator of health.
Dr. Bhargava practices Integrative and Holistic medicine in Houston. He heals
chronic diseases by recommending lifestyle changes, healing Yoga-Pranayama
and Herbal Supplements based on Ayurveda. He can be contacted through his
website: www.vedic-healing.com.