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'''CLINICAL ASPECTS OF CHAPTER'''

'''CLINICAL ASPECTS OF CHAPTER'''

'''Importance of Ahara matra in the maintenance of health-'''

==='''Importance of Ahara matra in the maintenance of health-'''===

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The effect of food articles on body tissues primarily depends on eight factors (ashta aahara vidhi vishesha aayatan), including the quantity of food (rashi). This chapter discusses the effect of food articles on body physiology concerning amount explicitly. It further explains dosha-vikara; under this category, doshas are predominant pathogenic units responsible for the manifestation of the disease; the involvement of dushyas (dhatus and malas) is negligible.  

The effect of food articles on body tissues primarily depends on eight factors (ashta aahara vidhi vishesha aayatan), including the quantity of food (rashi). This chapter discusses the effect of food articles on body physiology concerning amount explicitly. It further explains [[dosha]]-vikara; under this category, [[doshas]] are predominant pathogenic units responsible for the manifestation of the disease; the involvement of dushyas ([[dhatu]] and [[mala]]) is negligible.  

A wholesome diet reserves the highest place for proper growth, development, and health maintenance in human life [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/31], [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/2-Chakrapani]. Swastha chatushka, the tetrad of chapters on health, aims preservation of health and prevention of diseases.  Health tetrad commences with a discussion on food (ahara), and among various aspects of food, the prime importance is given to quantity (matra). This indicates the utmost importance of the quantity of food for the maintenance of health [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/3].  

A wholesome diet reserves the highest place for proper growth, development, and health maintenance in human life [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/31], [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/2-Chakrapani]. Swastha chatushka, the tetrad of chapters on health, aims preservation of health and prevention of diseases.  Health tetrad commences with a discussion on food (ahara), and among various aspects of food, the prime importance is given to quantity (matra). This indicates the utmost importance of the quantity of food for the maintenance of health [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/3].  

The food capacity (aahara shakti) of a person shall be assessed by two ways namely: food ingestion capacity (abhyavaharan shakti) and digestion capacity (jaran shakti) [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/120]. It is advised to take food in proper quantity and that quantity depends on the strength of [[agni]] (digestive fire). The strength of [[agni]] depends on season, age and other factors. Thus the amount of food will also vary as per the power of [[agni]]. The quantity of food helps maintain proper digestive fire. The quantity further subject to heaviness (gurutva) and lightness (laghutva) of food stuff.

The food capacity (aahara shakti) of a person shall be assessed by two ways namely:  

Suppose the person has taken excellent quality food with reference to eight factors (ashtau-aahara-vidhi-visheshayatan) and followed all the rules while taking food (aahara-vidhi-vidhana). In that case, the food is digested in due time without disturbing the equilibrium of [[dosha]] (prakriti), and that amount of food is termed as a proper quantity of food for that person. Satiety is one of the subjective parameters to assess the ingestion capacity of a person.

a)food ingestion capacity (abhyavaharan shakti) and  

The maximum ingestion capacity of a person should be divided into three parts. One-third part of food intake should be consumed in solid form and one third part as liquid diet, remaining one third part of total capacity should be kept empty for movement of [[vata]], [[pitta]] and [[kapha]]. This is the indicator of satiety. This means once the two third part of stomach will be filled, a person will have the feeling of satisfaction [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/40]. At this point you should stop eating. If you will cross this limit the later food stuff will occupy the third part of stomach which interrupts the process of digestion, causing extra burden on digestive fire and may result indigestion. The divisions of aamashaya are not in equal proportion, but it is in accordance with user’s suitability and the adaptive pattern of food consumption [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]]2/3-Chakrapani]. Power of ingestion (abhyavaharan-shakti) is different for every individual and it depend upon the strength of digestive fire (jatharagni).  The proper quantity of food (aahara matra) to be consumed is subjected to power of ingestion and consistency of food articles i.e. solid and liquid.

b)digestion capacity (jarana shakti) [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 8/120].

Depending on the consistency, the food articles are classified into four categories: drinkable, likable, eatable, and chew-able. These four types are further abbreviated under two classes as liquid foods and solid foods respectively. Thus both type of food shall be consumed till half of it satiety or till feeling of satiety. This quantity will definitely be digested in due time, without disturbing doshas' physiology ([[prakriti]]), thus indicating aahara matra. Subjective parameters shall be observed carefully to decide the proper quantity of food [Cha. Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 2/6]. Food consumed in the appropriate quantity enhances strength, complexion, and nourishment of tissues.  

 

 

Depending on the consistency, the food articles are classified into four categories: drinkable, likable, eatable, and chew-able. These four types are further abbreviated under two classes as liquid foods and solid foods respectively. Thus both type of food shall be consumed till half of it satiety or till feeling of satiety. This quantity will definitely be digested in due time, without disturbing [[doshas]]' physiology ([[prakriti]]), thus indicating aahara matra. Subjective parameters shall be observed carefully to decide the proper quantity of food [Cha. Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 2/6]. Food consumed in the appropriate quantity enhances strength, complexion, and nourishment of tissues.  

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'''Effects of Deficient quantity of food-'''

==='''Effects of Deficient quantity of food-'''===

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A deficient and excessive quantity of food both are detrimental to human health. The deficient quantity of food reduces strength, complexion, and nourishment of body tissues and makes the person a home for various disorders of [[vata dosha]]. The quantity of food is one of the major factors which decide the wholesome and unwholesome effect of food on body tissues [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/32]. Under eating or intake of food in reduced quantity (pramitashanam) is mentioned as the principal cause of emaciation (karshaniyanam) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/40]. Fasting or over eating does not kindle digestive fire, as like fire in environment is extinguished if there is no fuel supply or if excessive fuel covers the fire [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/211]. Taking wholesome food in appropriate quantity after complete digestion of previously eaten food helps to continue good health for long duration [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/214]. It is observed that deficient quantity of food deteriorate the digestive capacity of [[agni]] and in absence of sufficient nutrients leads to malnourishment disorders and poor health status. Two ways to measure the quantity of food - include total quantity of food to be consumed in a meal (sarvagraha) and quantity of each food article in a meal (parigraha).The inclusion of different food articles in a meal is to ascertain all the six rasas (tastes) in the required proportion. The nutritional requirement of everybody tissue is different. Proportionate quantity of six rasas will ensure the tissue requirement. The balanced diet concept of Ayurveda is essentially based of this Shadrasa Principle.  Imbalanced diet concerning six rasas leads to improper nourishment of body tissues, which further leads to depletion of body tissues (dhatus) [Cha. Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/4-Chakrapani]. Long-term exposure of imbalanced diet triggers wear and tear mechanism of tissues and may result in early senility.  

A deficient and excessive quantity of food both are detrimental to human health. The deficient quantity of food reduces strength, complexion, and nourishment of body tissues and makes the person a home for various disorders of [[vata dosha]]. The quantity of food is one of the major factors which decide the wholesome and unwholesome effect of food on body tissues [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/32]. Under eating or intake of food in reduced quantity (pramitashanam) is mentioned as the principal cause of emaciation (karshaniyanam) [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]]25/40]. Fasting or over eating does not kindle digestive fire, as like fire in environment is extinguished if there is no fuel supply or if excessive fuel covers the fire [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/211]. Taking wholesome food in appropriate quantity after complete digestion of previously eaten food helps to continue good health for long duration [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/214]. It is observed that deficient quantity of food deteriorate the digestive capacity of [[agni]] and in absence of sufficient nutrients leads to malnourishment disorders and poor health status. Two ways to measure the quantity of food - include total quantity of food to be consumed in a meal (sarvagraha) and quantity of each food article in a meal (parigraha).The inclusion of different food articles in a meal is to ascertain all the six rasas (tastes) in the required proportion. The nutritional requirement of everybody tissue is different. Proportionate quantity of six rasas will ensure the tissue requirement. The balanced diet concept of Ayurveda is essentially based of this Shadrasa Principle.  Imbalanced diet concerning six rasas leads to improper nourishment of body tissues, which further leads to depletion of body tissues ([[dhatus]]) [Cha. Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 5/4-Chakrapani]. Long-term exposure of imbalanced diet triggers wear and tear mechanism of tissues and may result in early senility.  

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'''Effects of Excessive Quantity of Food-'''

==='''Effects of Excessive Quantity of Food-'''===

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Excessive food triggers all three doshas' vitiation as there is no space left for doshas' functioning. Doshas are the main functional unit of human physiology. Doshas govern the physiology of digestion. Samana vayu functions nearby the abode of digestive fire (jatharagni), kindles [[agni]]. Prana vayu and apan vayu supports the functions of [[agni]]. Pachaka [[pitta]] when devoid of its liquid property, functions as digestive fire [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 12/10-11]. Kledaka [[kapha]] is responsible to moisten the ingested food. Thus the process of digestion is driven by doshas.  

Excessive food triggers all three [[doshas]]' vitiation as there is no space left for [[doshas]]' functioning. [[Doshas]] are the main functional unit of human physiology. [[Doshas]] govern the physiology of digestion. Samana [[vayu]] functions nearby the abode of digestive fire (jatharagni), kindles [[agni]]. Prana [[vayu]] and apana [[vayu]] supports the functions of [[agni]]. Pachaka [[pitta]] when devoid of its liquid property, functions as digestive fire [A.Hr.Sutra Sthana 12/10-11]. Kledaka [[kapha]] is responsible to moisten the ingested food. Thus the process of digestion is driven by [[doshas]].  

Ahara parinamakara bhavas: factors responsible for complete transformation and absorption of food explain this phenomenon in-depth [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]]6/14],[ Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/6-8]. The vitiated [[dosha]] leads to the formation of ama.  

Factors responsible for complete transformation and absorption of food(Ahara parinamakara bhavas) explain this phenomenon in-depth. [Cha.Sa.[[Sharira Sthana]]6/14],[ Cha. Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/6-8]. The vitiated [[dosha]] leads to the formation of [[ama]].  

Two types of diseases caused by ama dosha namely cholera-like symptoms (visuchika) and sluggish bowels (alasaka). A frail person having weak digestive power and aggravated kapha condition, even exerting pressure does not push the undigested food out of the passage since it is obstructed by [[kapha]]. This condition is called alasaka. Taking food either in excess quantity or very little quantity is a type of vishamashan (a type of unhealthy dietary pattern) which leads to various ama disorders [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/236]. Excessive eating is one of the etiological factors for non-communicable diseases like obesity and diabetes mellitus which are more prevalent in society. Excess intake of calorie food which is not processed properly by digestive fire (Jathragni) and further utilized by dhatvagni (type of agni present at tissue level) leads to obesity and related disorders. Inappropriate consumption of six rasas triggers many pathological conditions. Excess use of madhura rasa (sweet taste) in diet causes obesity, laziness, loss of desire for food, dyspnea, cough, coryza, sluggish bowels (alasaka) etc. Hence an individual should take an appropriate quantity of the food as per appetite.   

Two types of diseases caused by ama dosha namely cholera-like symptoms (visuchika) and sluggish bowels (alasaka). A frail person having weak digestive power and aggravated kapha condition, even exerting pressure does not push the undigested food out of the passage since it is obstructed by [[kapha]]. This condition is called alasaka. Taking food either in excess quantity or very little quantity is a type of vishamashana (a type of unhealthy dietary pattern) which leads to various [[ama]] disorders [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 15/236]. Excessive eating is one of the etiological factors for non-communicable diseases like obesity and diabetes mellitus which are more prevalent in society. Excess intake of calorie food which is not processed properly by digestive fire (Jathragni) and further utilized by dhatvagni (type of [[agni]] present at tissue level) leads to obesity and related disorders. Inappropriate consumption of six rasas triggers many pathological conditions. Excess use of madhura rasa (sweet taste) in diet causes obesity, laziness, loss of desire for food, dyspnea, cough, coryza, sluggish bowels (alasaka) etc. Hence an individual should take an appropriate quantity of the food as per appetite.   

'''Causes of Ama formation-'''

'''Causes of Ama formation-'''

'''Understanding of Amashaya-'''

'''Understanding of Amashaya-'''

Amashaya described here is in physiological consideration where digestion of food is taking place. Surface anatomy describes amashaya as the organ situated between the umbilicus and the breast. All that is eaten, masticated, drunk and licked up is digested. All the food articles are fully digested after reaching the amashaya. Once the digestion is completed, the digested essence of food reaches all the body organs by means of vessels. Amashaya is also considered as seat of pitta dosha and kapha dosha [Cha. Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 20/8]. There observes predominance of kapha and vata dosha in manifestation of hiccough and asthama (shvasa). These disorders originate at the site of pitta [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]]17/8]. In this context, Chakrapani has mentioned the two segments of amashaya as upper segment (urdhva amashaya) and the lower segment (adho-amashaya). Seat of pitta refers lower segment (adho amashaya) which clearly differentiates from the upper segment of kapha dosha. Anatomically Stomach can be considered as upper segment of amashaya and small intestine along with liver and pancreas can be considered as the lower segment of amashaya. Aamashaya rooted disorders are specifically grouped as the disorders having a predominance of kapha and pitta dosha.[Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 6/3]   

Amashaya described here is in physiological consideration where digestion of food is taking place. Surface anatomy describes amashaya as the organ situated between the umbilicus and the breast. All that is eaten, masticated, drunk and licked up is digested. All the food articles are fully digested after reaching the amashaya. Once the digestion is completed, the digested essence of food reaches all the body organs by means of vessels. Amashaya is also considered as seat of [[pitta dosha]] and [[kapha dosha]] [Cha. Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 20/8]. There observes predominance of [[kapha]] and [[vata dosha]] in manifestation of hiccough and asthama (shvasa). These disorders originate at the site of [[pitta]] [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]]17/8]. In this context, Chakrapani has mentioned the two segments of amashaya as upper segment (urdhva amashaya) and the lower segment (adho-amashaya). Seat of [[pitta]] refers lower segment (adho amashaya) which clearly differentiates from the upper segment of [[kapha dosha]]. Anatomically Stomach can be considered as upper segment of amashaya and small intestine along with liver and pancreas can be considered as the lower segment of amashaya. Aamashaya rooted disorders are specifically grouped as the disorders having a predominance of [[kapha]] and [[pitta dosha]].[Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 6/3]   

   

   

'''Updates and views of other Ayurveda classics helpful to understand the content –'''  

'''Updates and views of other Ayurveda classics helpful to understand the content –'''