Controlling Obesity and Diabetes: A Siddha Perspective by Dr. Arul Amudhan

I will be presenting about obesity and diabetes perspective from the Siddha tradition.

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. I will focus primarily on preventive aspects. In simple terms, the body gains weight because of excess energy stored within it. Life is a balancing act—there must be a balance between intake and expenditure. Whether you consume carbohydrate-rich food or liquid food, it's all based on calories. If energy consumption is excessive, while expenditure is less, the surplus energy is stored in the body as fat. There are ways to release this stored energy through fasting, hibernating, or exercise. Balance is crucial in both diet and body weight management.

If you see here, the insulin is there but it’s not letting the glucose come into the cell. It can happen for a couple of reasons: one, the receptor for the insulin might not work, or two, the receptor works and accepts the insulin, but the intracellular signaling mechanism that helps to open up the glucose channel might not work. These two mechanisms are the fundamental basis for insulin resistance.

Obesity plays a central role in many health conditions. By addressing obesity, many diseases can be prevented, including diabetes, which is closely linked to obesity. Tackling obesity requires a multidisciplinary approach, including diet, exercise, and behavioral modification. There is no magic formula for reducing obesity. From the Siddha perspective, there are four key domains in treatment: the patient, physician, medicine, and other healthcare providers. Believing solely in the physician or medicine won't work; the patient, especially those with obesity or diabetes, has a responsibility equal to that of the physician in their treatment.

In Siddha, we advise diet therapy based on the 'Yakkai' or 'prakriti'-based diet, which differs from a calorie-based approach. Intermittent fasting has various protocols, and physical activity therapy is emphasized. Glycogen stores are depleted first, followed by subcutaneous and visceral fat. As mentioned by the previous doctor, sustainability in weight loss activities is essential for physical activity to yield fruitful outcomes.

We recommend a low-calorie diet, particularly millet-based diets, keto-based diets, and many herbal supplements like green tea and Malabar tamarind. Along with yoga, these supplements are beneficial. Regarding drug therapy, certain herbs prevent the absorption of dietary nutrients, and some act as anorexiants. Modern medicine also has good results in this area, and surgical options are available.

In food therapy, Siddha adopts a different perspective. Understanding elemental theory in current science, for example, hydrogen and oxygen in specific proportions form water. Similarly, the Siddha tradition has the Pancha Bhootha theory, where five basic elements—air, fire, water, earth, and ether—combine in different ratios to create various aspects of the body and food. For instance, bones, according to Siddha, are composed of water and earth in a specific ratio. Each part of the body is made up of a unique combination of these five elements, and so is the food we consume.

There is a link between our body and external substances like herbs and food through the Pancha Bhootha concept. By understanding the combination of elements that create certain tastes, one can determine which elements are present. For example, sour taste indicates the presence of two specific elements. This knowledge helps in making dietary choices that balance the body's elements.

In dietary sources, tastes are broadly classified into hot and cool potency foods. Sour, salty, and spicy foods are considered hot due to their fire element, while others are classified as cool. Eating all six tastes daily is essential for maintaining the balance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Consuming only sour and astringent tastes regularly can disrupt this balance and lead to related diseases. Continuous consumption of sweet and spicy tastes can elevate Kapha, leading to obesity and diabetes.

It's important to eat all six tastes daily for a balanced diet. Tamil culture uniquely emphasizes the importance of eating even bitter foods, unlike many other cultures. The sequence of eating is also significant: starting with sweet foods (not necessarily sugary items but those classified as 'sweet' according to Siddha principles, like rice or cucumber), followed by other tastes, and ending with curd and pickle. This sequence helps stimulate insulin release naturally and activates satiety centers in the brain, leading to less food consumption.

Mindful eating, or conscious eating, is crucial in Siddha. Chewing food thoroughly helps with digestion and activates satiety centers, preventing overeating. In addition, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in health. Maintaining a healthy gut flora is essential, and one-fourth of your daily food intake should be dedicated to feeding these beneficial microbes. Proper nutrition, fiber, and caloric intake, when balanced, can prevent many diseases, including obesity and diabetes.

Behavior therapy, such as self-monitoring diet and mindfulness, is essential in weight management. Group behavioral therapy, such as family meals and religious dietary practices, also plays a significant role. Mindfulness in eating, as emphasized in Siddha, helps prevent overeating and maintains overall health.

Herbal remedies, such as sprouted low-cost gram chutney, flax seeds, and herbal powders, are part of Siddha's approach to managing obesity and diabetes. It's important to use traditional sweeteners like palm jaggery or honey instead of refined sugars.

Finally, the Siddha tradition emphasizes living in harmony with nature. Eating traditional foods, seasonal fruits, and native grains is beneficial. Physical activity, like that of a monkey, which eats traditional food and remains active, is essential for maintaining health.

Siddha has much to offer, but it's important to consult a Siddha physician to create a customized regimen. Regularly changing the herbs used in treatment is necessary, as prolonged use of the same herb can reduce its effectiveness.

In conclusion, adopting traditional foods and an active lifestyle, along with mindful eating and appropriate herbal remedies, can prevent and manage obesity and diabetes effectively. To receive detailed understanding watch the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPzGflwtz4A&t=3184s