Diet Therapy For Healthy Mind and Body

 In India, the concept of a healthy body from natural resources has been emphasized by the sages for centuries. In today's context, we understand the treatment of various diseases by natural elements like mud, water, air, sunlight, herbs as naturopathy, which is actually a wonderful art of living. Man is a part of nature, composed of the five elements (earth (prithvi), water (jal), fire (agni), air (vayu) and sky (aakash). Imbalance of these elements in humans due to different reasons is the cause of various types of diseases resulting in accumulation of toxins in body. In this era today due to many factors including disturbed life style these toxins are not expelled from body and thus become main cause of disease.The concentration and amount of these toxins keep on changing along with its place of accumulation thus as a result the nature and type of symptoms of the disease also changes.
In Naturopathy food (earth) is the main pillar however along with it, treatment is also done through other elements of Panchmahabhuto-jal, agni,vayu and aakash.  Naturopathy gives us proper knowledge of diet, sleep, drinking water, sunlight, pure air, positivity and yoga science, through which not only diseases are cured but the person also does not come in the grip of disease in future. According to naturopathy, it is believed that ‘diet is medicine’ and also considered as a natural medicine.Food should be consumed in its natural form only; this is the main principle of diet therapy. The minerals, salts and other essential nutrients available in it provide benefits to the human body and enhance the immunity of body to fight against diseases.

Prithvinachaharasamakinchibhdaishajmukalbhyate l
Shakyateayannammatrenanarah Kurtniramayah ll
Bheshajonoapannoasiniraharonashakyate l
Tasyadbhishagbhiraharomahabhaishanyanuchyate l

There is no other medicine better than food, only by doing certain changes in the diet and certain dietary habits, diseases can be cured. No matter how much medicine is given, if the patient's diet is not improved properly then there will be no use of taking medicine, what a person eats is not a medicine but a Mahabhaishya(As per Ayurveda it is equivalent to life).Every food what we eat has an impact on mind and body of a person. The purity of mind depends on Sattvik(light and healthy) diet,enabling us to praise God.The unhealthy and improper diet and lifestyle are the cause of many diseases. If a person make himself free from this irregularity, he will be able to live a healthy and happy life. Since ancient times, we find descriptions of fasting, eating simple food, taking food at regular times etc. in many of the religious and ancient texts of India.

Adhatedipa Cha Bhutnityannatva Muchyate 
Taittiriyak Vedante Tasya Bhavoanuchintiyatam 
Adhyate Vidhivada Muktamati Bhokatramanyatha 
                                                                   (Taitirya Upanishada)

Foodwhich is consumed and the way it is prepared bothare important. One who consumes food in the wrong way gets eaten by the food itself – it has adverse effects on the human being. Food cooked properly and consumed properly provides nourishment and health.The concept of diet therapy was prevalent in Vedicera as well as in Purana period, according to which King Dilip got benefits by consuming milk, fruits,  and water. Fasting is considered to be a natural cure to get rid of all diseases. Herbs were used as medicine during the reign of Ravana in Treta Yuga because he ordered the physicians to find a method of treatment without fasting (Langhan), as a result ofwhich trees and plants were used for medicinal benefits.In Ayurveda texts , and religious scriptures as Bhagvad Gita  description of Sattvik, Rajasic( energy providing food)  and Tamasic ( decrease energy making lethargic ) diet is mentioned.

Vipani Bheshajaivyandhi Pathyadeva Vivartate l
Natumpathya Vihinasya Bheshajanam Shatairapi ll 

All types of diseases can be cured by proper dietary habits and regime and no medicine will be required. However, if these are kept unhealthy then diseases cannot be cured by any medicine alone. When the diet is pure and healthy, the mind is purified, person has control over his senses and improves his concentration. The food should be light, easily digestible, non-stimulating and with all essential nutrient composition is considered to be good for health. Such type of food increases lifespan, memory power, various feelings of mind as courage, kindness, cooperation etc. In 'Bhakti Rahasya' written by Swami Vivekananda, it is mentioned that to attain devotion towards

God, the first thing is to eat sattvikdiet, because this type of food provides purity and power to body. Mahatma Gandhi also gave special importance to diet. According to him, three types of food were mentioned - non-vegetarian, vegetarian and mixed diet. According to him, innumerable people consume mixed type of diet i.e., vegetarian and non-vegetarianboth. Food is considered to be life giving element for each individual because it contains all the necessary elements i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals responsible for maintaining healthy mind and body. Each nutrient has its own metabolic pathway in body and functions to perform. According to Ayurveda, if every person reduces or increases the intake of these dietary nutrients then nutrients, Vata, Pitta, KaphaTridosha (imbalance between five elements of body) will arise in his body, as a result of which the person will gradually become sick. Therefore, it is necessary to consume all the nutritional elements through food to remain healthy. This principle of procuring all the nutrients through food for body is also known as the concept of complete nutrition and balanceddiet.

In Indian scriptures, food has been classified into three categories – Sattvik, Rajasik and Tamasik. People who want good physicaland mental health and spiritually should eat sattvik food. Sattvik food consists of juicy foods that helps to increase lifespan, enthusiasm, strength, health, happiness and love. It mainly includes raw fruits, vegetables, steamed food, sprouted grains, fruit juice etc. Man gets both physical and mental health through rajasic food. In the category of rajasic diet, the food with bitter, sour, salty, very hot, pungent, dry attributes are included like sprouted pulses, onion, garlic, non-vegetarian food etc. Tamasic diet includes stale food with dull, very hot, pungent attributes mainly prepared from refined flour, tea, coffee, chocolate, heavy and fried foodetc.The purpose of eating food is not to satisfy hunger or satisfy the mind, but its purpose is to nourish the body as well as increase mental and spiritual health because body, mind and soul are the main pillars of health ,until all these are balanced and one cannot attain a  complete health.

Diet and daily regime have also been determined according to the seasons. In Hemantritu(pre winter) due to cold climatic conditions digestive rate is increased henceit is best to consume smooth foods made from milk, jaggery, sugar, sugar candy and however should not consume vata based food and roasted gram. InShishirritu(winters) the food which is katu-tikta-kashya(bitter, astringent,and coldin potency) like black pepper, red chili, pipali, bittergourd should be avoided in diet. Insummers, ghee (clarified butter), milk and rice should be consumed. Acidic, bitter, hot and salty food should not be consumed. The amount of drinking pure water should be increased. In the rainy season, the digestive capacity fire becomes weak and vata in body becomes agitated, thus acidic salty andoily foods can be consumed.The drinking water should be boiled and then cooled before consumption In autumn the pitta in the body is aggravated   hence one should take more cold, bitter and juicy food which calms pitta.Physical strength is moderate in spring (Vasantaritu) after winter. The hotness created by Sun irritates kapha gets resulting in pain, hence hot, sweet and oily food should not be taken, wheat, honey and fresh food should be consumed.

In diet therapy principles diet is basically of two types -  alkaline diet and acidic diet. Both these classifications have been done according to the amount of pH formed in the blood after the intake of such foods.Alkaline diet includes food containing protein and carbohydrates in excess, which form acidic substances in the body during catabolism. In today's context, if we understand it in general terms then pulses, wheat, rice, eggs, meat, fish etc., potatoes, sweet potatoes are mainly the main sources of protein and carbohydrates.All types of fruits, various vegetables like gourd, ridge gourd, beans etc. can be called alkaline food. According to naturopathy, a completely balanced diet should contain 20 percent acidic and 80 percent alkaline food. However, in this therapy theAyurvedic principles of food and yogic properties are also included. The principle of Panchamahabhoota is also used for treatment in this therapy. In diet therapic mode of treatment a disciplined diet chart is prepared for the patient as per the requirement and need of the patient considering seasonal conditions also. Diet therapy involves consuming various types of fruits and vegetables as the main diet. These contain minerals, salts and vitamins in abundance which are helpful in increasing the immunity of the body. Sprouted grains and dry fruits are also included in this category. The diet includes plenty of raw food (salads and sprouts), fruits and vegetables. Fasting for short duration and also for long duration depending on patient’s condition is also an important part of diet therapy. Nowadays, it has been observed that number of people are suffering from high blood pressure. Many people are not even aware of this disease, because its symptoms are often considered very common like headache, insomnia, dizziness etc. Often the patient ignores these symptoms. In this disease, incontinence, excessive salt intake, anxiety, anger, kidney disease, constipation and flatulence proves to be fatal. The most important treatment for high blood pressure is through diet. The patient should drink more water, sprouted and raw food, attention should be paid to fasting, food should be consumed with a calm mind and in solitude, etc. According to the rules, food should be taken in appropriate quantity at appropriate time. Consumption of Belpatra(leaf of Aegle marmelos ), banana stem juice and Triphala( a medicated formulation ) is also beneficial . The other life style diseases like obesity, acidity, gas, constipation etc., does not affect the person if the blood pressure is cured. Similarly, in the initial stage of tuberculosis, goat's milk should be consumed more, lemon, honey and water should also be consumed as much as possible. In case of arthritis or rheumatism, sour grapes, sugar, brinjal, peas, okra, kidney beans, green chilies, cream, milk, kale and canned foods should be done.

In the first stage of diet therapy, some food items are prohibited in the patient's diet. This type of diet system is called eliminative diet. In this, various types of harmful substances (toxins) are quickly removed from the body and the body gets detoxed, due to which the person feels healthy. This treatment method is almost like fasting and the diet is considered to be purifying dietwhich includes coconut water, vegetable soup (gourd, tomato), fresh juice of wheatgrass, aloe vera and gooseberry juice, various types of sour fruits like sweet lime, lemon etc. In the next step when the body becomes free from all kinds of foreign substances and toxins making body free from diseases, then patient is provided with calming food as fruits, boiledor steamed vegetables according to the season, sprouted moong, fenugreek, coriander, mint chutney, curry leaves etc. By using fruit and vegetable salads, soups etc., according to the season, the antioxidant content in the body increases and the body remains healthy.Green leafy vegetables like cabbage, cabbage, etc., should not be eaten during the rainy season because there is a greater possibility of insectinfestation, for which various types of pesticides are used by farmers, which can ultimately harm our body. In such type of diet all types of grain flour, pulses, curd, porridge etc., are included.The various types of alkaline diet not only promote health but also purify the digestive system by removing foreign substances from the body, thereby creating a diseasefree body. Therefore,for complete physical and mental health, a person should consume all types of fruits, vegetables, grains, honey, jaggery, sprouted pulses, dry fruits etc. in abundance.Apart from this, the following things should mainly be kept in mind in diet therapy-

    The time for the meal intake should be almost kept fixed. While taking food, do not be sad, angry or hasty.

    Special attention should be paid in selection of food. Food should be easily digestible and should not be too heavy or rich in chemicals. Do not consume too hot, too cold or stale food.

    Do not eat food late at night. The dinner should be s two hours before sleeping. Drink water once or twice, half an hour after eating and before sleeping as it helps in digestion. Similarly, do not consume too hot, too cold or stale food. Do not drink excessive water before, during and after eating.

    Meal should consist of 20 percent acidic and 80 percent alkaline food. To increase the immunity of the body, one should consume Amla(goose berry), orange, lemon, tomato, fresh fruits and vegetables and sprouted grains in abundance. All these substances contain plenty of vitamins, minerals and salts, due to which the process of formation of antibodies in the body increases and blood formation continues. One should consume more lentils, gram, gourd, wheat, peanuts, milk, curd, buttermilk,sesame, potato, onion, beetroot, garlic and green leafy vegetables.

    One or two days of fasting in every month and 2-4 days of fasting on fruits in 3-4 months should be observed.

    In diet therapy, there are some food items which cannot be consumed together, we also get similar description in the analysis of diet according to Ayurveda. Onion, pickle, vinegar, radish and non-vegetarian food should not be taken with milk. Consuming honey and ghee in equal quantities is also prohibited because in equal quantities it becomes poisonous. One should not drink water in excess of water just before, during and after taking food.

Thus if we want to remain disease free in today's busy life, we have to go closer to nature, whether it is through tree plantation, creating a pollution free environment or be it taking care of our own diet to be away from any disease.Diet therapy is not a difficult medical method, in fact it is a science by which we understand the principles of Panchmahabhoota and keep ourselves healthy by taking care of our diet and dietary habits. A healthy mind is created only by a healthy body, and person becomes rational, through which he fulfills the responsibilities of his life and builds a progressive society.

Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramayah