This document discusses Ayurvedic principles of diet and nutrition as well as nutraceuticals. It outlines the three main types of diets in Ayurveda - sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. It also lists the 8 rules of consuming diet according to Ayurveda. The document defines nutraceuticals as foods that provide medical benefits and lists some examples like plant sterols, soy, and fruits/vegetables. Finally, it discusses some potential benefits of functional foods and nutraceuticals such as increasing health, helping avoid diseases, and having psychological benefits.

1. AYUR AHAR & NUTRACEUTICALS
PRODUCT FOR HEALTH.
BY ANUSHKA KELUSKAR

2. INTRODUCTION
 Ayurveda places special emphasis on Ahar (diet) and Anna (food) and
believes that healthy nutrition nourishes the mind, body and soul.
 Ayurveda emphasizes on various factors that influence food, such as its
biological properties, origin, environmental factors, seasons, preparation,
freshness, and provides a logical explanation of how to balance food
according to one's dosha and physical needs.
 The traditional medicine system takes 3 doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha-
into consideration.

3. Types Of Diet
 Sattvic Diet
This is the purest of all foods. This nourishes the body, calms the brain and increases immunity. This
includes whole grains, vegetables, fresh fruits, milk, ghee, nuts, sprouts, honey and herbal teas.
 Rajasic diet
This food is salty and spicy. People who do heavy physical works can this food.
 Tamasic diet
This includes onions, garlic, tabacco, non-vegetarian, alcohol and fermented things. Such food
increases laziness and heaviness in the body, says Ayurveda.

4. 8 Rules of consuming a diet, according to Acharya Charaka, one of the
principle contributors to Ayurveda.
1. Nature (Prakriti)
2. Karana (Sanskar)
3. Combination (Sanyog)
4. Amount / Quantity (Matra)
5. Country
6. Time (Kaal)
7. Utilization institution
8. Consumer

5. NUTRACEUTICAL
The term " nutraceutical " was coined
from " nutrition " and "
pharmaceutical " .
Definition: A food that provides
medical or health benefits, including
the prevention and/or treatment of a
disease.
The nutraceuticals, attempt to
accomplish desirable therapeutic
outcomes with reduced side effects,
as compared with other therapeutic
agents.

6.  Examples of the approved neutraceuticals:
 Plant sterols
 Soy protein and Grain products with soluble fiber - Coronary heart disease
 Calcium – Osteoporosis
 Fruits and vegetables – Cancer
 Folic acid - Neural tube defects
 Resveratrol from grape and flavonoids from citrus antioxidant, Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil-
lowered risk of cardiovascular disease.

7. BENEFITS
Functional foods and nutraceuticals may offer many benefits:
• May increase the health value of our diet.
• May help us live longer.
• May help us to avoid particular medical conditions.
• May have a psychological benefit from doing something for oneself.
• May be perceived to be more "natural" than traditional medicine and less
likely to produce unpleasant side-effects.
• May present food for populations with special needs (e.g. nutrient-dense
foods for the elderly)

8. Preference:
Source: Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology .
Apr-Jun2021,
Vol. 15 Issue 2, p4382-4385. 4p.
Author(s): Bhoyar, Kaustubh;
Mhaiskar, Bhushan;
Pusadkar, Santosh;
Bhoyar, Sonali;
Salankar.

9. THANKING YOU