Secrets of the Ayurvedic Diet
By: Hakeem Pawo, Practitioner
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Toxins and Metabolism : Weakness and Inflammation
(Aam and Agni : Vata and Pitta)

This diet transmits the essence of Ayurvedic Medicine by addressing aam, the root cause of imbalance and disease. Aam is material that has been left undigested in the intestines and organs of the body. As undigested residue accumulates in the body's channels it putrefies, becomes very dense and sticky. This mucousy residue ferments, producing swelling and inflammation, which is pitta. Fermentation gives off gases, causing dryness and bloating, which is vata. Thus, these toxic gases enter the blood, muscle, bone, etc and degenerate these systems. This fermenting sticky aam-residue obstructs the functioning of the organs, tissues and cells.

Aam residue disrupts the natural intelligent flow of the physical dynamics in the body. Aam-toxins cause oxidization, much like 'rusting' of the tissues and organs due to the acid creating fermentation of toxic residue. Aam-toxins also cause low energy, blockages of circulation, dulling of the mind, constipation, diarrhea, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, migraines, chronic pain, etc. Of those people or animals having aam-toxins, any number of symptoms can be experienced in your system. When there is less aam (toxic tissue formation) there is healthy tissue produced (kapha and dhatu). Thus, this diet addresses vata and pitta and kapha issues through reducing aam and subsequently producing healthy tissue.

Aside from this diet addressing the underlying cause of imbalance, which is the accumulation of aam toxins, this diet balances the doshas of vata and pitta by suggesting foods that reduce swelling and inflammation (pitta) and foods that prevent dehydration and weakness (vata). When aam is eliminated and vata and pitta are reduced and balanced, then kapha will exist in its healthy form, which is strong, lubricated, healthy tissues and blood.

Metabolism is the key component to bringing all of these factors into alignment and it is also responsible for maintaining the body's integrity. Agni is the digestive fire, it creates healthy metabolism in the digestive organs as well as every organ, tissue and cell. Every organ, tissue and cell must take in nutrients and assimilate them via metabolism, agni. Then every organ, tissue and cell must expel waste and detoxify via metabolism. If metabolism is functioning correctly then there will not be a build up of aam-toxins, because the detoxification principle of agni-metabolism will occur efficiently and the systems will be well nourished. Proper digestion and assimilation of food balances vata-weakness and pitta-inflammation problems.

This can be observed in the cycle of daily appetite and elimination. Having a strong appetite and eating in the day light hours only, will allow the proper metabolism of your food to take place. This results in a very nourishing substance that is healing to all the systems of the body and mind. Although if one eats during the night-time hours, the organs of digestion and elimination become dull or irritated due to accumulation of aam-toxin residue. The organs of digestion “come on” in the daytime, as felt by hunger in the belly, for the purpose of assimilating food into the organs and tissues. However, at night-time, the organs of digestion “come on” again but are not meant to take in food. This digestive energy is used at night to clean out the organs and tissues by sloughing off residue and burning toxins that were left as residue from the daytime meals. Thus the metabolism in the daytime has the momentum and chemistry to take in nutrition but at night the metabolic energy in the digestive organs are literally pushing waste out of the tissues. This waste is sent into the intestines where it accumulates over the night-time hours into the colon. Then, in the morning a natural urge to move the bowels will result in the proper elimination of any aam residue and ensures one more day of excellent health. Thus, in the early morning, one feels light and fresh and wakes easily. The “midnight snack” feeling is misunderstood. You should be asleep at this time and allow this fire of digestion to remove waste and residue. If you are awake you will need strong discipline to avoid eating late. It is much better to have herb tea or warm water at this time.

Eating a rich breakfast and a substantial lunch at midday and an optional small dinner before the end of daylight will prevent un-natural cravings. Your metabolism and energy will remain crisp and strong if you eat in the daytime and not the night. Otherwise, if one eats at night, the process of detoxification gets blocked and aam-toxins accumulate. Thus the person feels heavy in the morning due to undigested food. Oddly, this feeling of fullness is coupled with a feeling of hunger. This fullness and hunger at the same time is occurring because the meal at night didn’t nourish, it only created heaviness. When the abdomen is full of food there should undoubtedly be abundant energy. If you awake with a full feeling and with low energy you can know that you have undigested food stagnating in your organs and intestines. This is due to eating late, over-eating or eating bad food combinations.

Furthermore, if there is good metabolism in the body, there will be good metabolism in the mind and emotions. The physical fire of digestion results in the mental fire of comprehension. Comprehension is the transformation of information into understanding. Similarly, physical food (physical information) is transformed into physical tissues (physical understanding). And thus if the mental metabolism is sharp it will not accumulate mental aam-toxins which are negative thinking and dullness. Mental energy largely depends on the quality of fuel supplied to it by proper digestion of nutritious foods. This physical digestion allows the brain to be fed the proper combinations of chemicals via the blood sugar and healthy fats and proteins. If we eat junky foods or have poor metabolism then the brain receives less than adequate nourishment and thus the brain function is hindered. By your dietary practices, your mind can lifted into a creative state or it can be dulled into depression or easily angered. It is your choice to make on a daily basis. Respect your physical digestion and cultivate it daily to create mind functions that will be uplifting and clear. This way, your mind will be a good companion to you and not a burdensome, dull and negative obstacle.

Additives, Preservatives, Flavorings, Colorings, Pesticides, Herbicides, Antibiotics, Hormones and Steroids in Foods.
It is very important to avoid chemical additives and preservatives. This includes harmful antibiotics, hormones and steroids that are injected into farm animals. Most important is to avoid all meat and dairy products that are not "certified organic". Also, you will benefit greatly from avoiding all foods that contain synthetic additives and synthetic preservatives and flavorings such as M.S.G., potassium sorbate, and synthetic coloring dyes. Read labels. Be sure to shop at natural health food grocery stores.

The extra cost of buying these products is well worth the expense. In the long run you will actually save money because your energy levels and immunity will increase. Thus, you will likely reduce the number of visits you make to the doctor and have fewer missed days of work. Also, as your energy increases you will be more productive at work and you will complete more projects. You will also be more proactive in exercising and caring for yourself.

Chronic and debilitating illnesses affect tens of millions of people in the U.S. A few examples of these types of avoidable illnesses are high blood pressure, alzheimers, A.D.D., allergy, immune disorders, frequent cold and flu, chronic muscular pain, arthritis and cancer. Many of these illnesses are caused by toxic chemicals in our food and water supply and the vast number of chemicals in our hygiene products, dental fillings and environment. Very often people suffer from side effects from modern western prescription medicines including side effects from vaccines.

Most people's energy levels, mental functions and immune functions are debilitated from eating a diet that is denatured, overly-processed and devoid of vital nutrients. Any food, snack or dessert that you enjoy eating can be had in a natural, healthy version. Just visit your local natural health food store and begin shopping there. Once you have had chemical free and pesticide free foods and products you will begin to crave the excellent taste of natural substances over the denatured popular brand products that are unfortunately sold on every street corner in today's society. Also you will begin to value the extra energy that you are getting from food grown in rich, healthy soils without harmful chemicals.

Remember that Ayurvedic herbal supplements provide us with a vast number of vital nutrients for immunity, brain function and strength as well as providing us with much needed antioxidants for detoxification and purification of all our organs, tissues and cells. The more consistent you are with taking your herbal supplements, the deeper the effects can reach, eventually revitalizing all your tissues and organs and correcting decades of ingesting substandard genetically altered foods and harmful chemical toxins. The difference between eating a natural diet and a modern-day convenient diet is tremendous. Don’t miss your daily opportunity to eliminate disease and to increase your energy, clarity and enthusiasm just by making wise and informed dietary decisions.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of this information is meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical conditions or disease. Ayurveda is a spiritual tradition of wellness and longevity meant to educate about foods (herbs/supplements), and meditation. This information is not meant to replace or in any way substitute for medical advice. For medical advice consult a licensed allopathic medical physican.