Causes for weight gain

In regard to adipose tissue increases, a person generally gains weight by increasing food consumption, becoming physically inactive, or both. When energy intake exceeds energy expenditure (when the body is in positive energy balance), the body can store the excess energy as fat. However, the physiology of weight gain and loss is complex involving numerous hormones, body systems and environmental factors. Other factors beside energy balance that may contribute to gaining weight include:

Social Factors

A study, involving more than 12,000 people tracked over 32 years, found that social networks play a surprisingly powerful role in determining an individual's chances of gaining weight, transmitting an increased risk of becoming obese from wives to husbands, from brothers to brothers and from friends to friends.[5] .[6] The human microbiota facilitates fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates to short-chain fatty acids, SCFAs, contributing to weight gain.[7] A change in the proportion of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes may determine host’s risk of obesity.[7] Sleep and Stress

Lack of sufficient sleep has been suggested as a cause for weight gain or the difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight. Two hormones responsible for regulating hunger and metabolism are leptin, which inhibits appetite and increases energy expenditure, and ghrelin, which increases appetite and reduces energy expenditure. Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation is associated with reduced levels of leptin and elevated levels of ghrelin, which together result in increased appetite, especially for high fat and high carbohydrate foods.[8] As a result, sleep deprivation over time may contribute to increased caloric intake and decreased self-control over food cravings, leading to weight gain.

The Weight Gain Hormones found in women are

Thyroid Hormone: Thyroid deficiency is a condition where the abnormal low production of thyroid hormone or hypothyroidism slows down body’s metabolism. General symptoms are like sudden weight gain, fatigue, dry skin etc. Studies show that the weight that is gained due to hypothyroidism is difficult to lose. This deficiency is more prevalent in women and hence weight gain due to hypothyroidism is very common in them.

Estrogen: It is the sex hormone that may cause weight gain in women. During menopause, the low level of estrogen makes the body use starches and blood sugar effectively. This results in more storage of fat and hence gaining weight. Also, not only during menopause, if generally, the estrogen levels in women become too little or too high or the ratio of estrogen and progesterone deflects from normal, women seem to be gaining weight particularly in the mid-section, thighs and hip areas.

Does Ayurveda Really Help With Weight Loss?

Without a doubt, it does help with weight loss, or dealing with any other health problem for that matter. Besides, Ayurveda deals with identifying and treating the root cause of the problem, resulting in a permanent solution.

Ayurveda has underlying principles for every problem, with all the diseases being classified under different body types. There’s no universal solution in Ayurveda and the medicines are suggested based on one’s body type, problems, symptoms and various other factors. There are several Ayurvedic medicines for weight loss, which you can try. It is important to understand it is not a quick fire solution, rather, effective and comprehensive weight loss aids that offer definitive benefits slowly but steadily. The best part is that, the weight lost using Ayurvedic methods are permanent, as long as you adhere to the suggestions.

DEFINITION OF PCOD

Polycystic ovarian disease is a gynaecological disorder whose prevalence seems to have increased considerably among Indian women in last few years. Many young girls and middle-aged Indian women are suffering from this syndrome which is a marked by appearance of multiple cysts on ovaries and disturbances in monthly menstrual cycles.

REASON FOR PCOD

Higher than normal androgen levels in women can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) during each menstrual cycle, and can cause extra hair growth and acne, two signs of PCOS. High levels of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that controls how the food you eat is changed into energy

This leads to the growth of ovarian cysts. PCOS can cause problems with a women's menstrual cycle, fertility, cardiac function, and appearance. Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity can all occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Ayurvedic PCOD Treatment

From Ayurvedic point of view, PCOD reflects vitiation of rasa and rakta dhatus. When levels of impurities and toxins increase in rasa and rakta dhatus, body stores them in form of cysts around ovaries. So presence of multiple cysts indicate high levels of impurities and toxins in these dhatus. Sign and symptoms in PCOD patients suggest imbalance of all three doshas. Dhatwagnimandya may also exist in some patients. History of improper diet and lifestyle is generally found among majority of PCOD patients. Excessive consumption of hormonal pills and contraceptive pills too is reported by many patients. Mental stress and lack of physical exercise are marked among quite a few ladies with PCOD. From Ayurvedic perspectives, all these things can produce toxins in body and cause diseases like PCOD.

Diet & Lifestyle Advice

• Low-fat milk is recommended. Boil milk before drinking. Drink it warm. This makes it easier to digest. Do not take milk with a full meal or with sour or salty foods. Add a pinch of turmeric or ginger to the milk before boiling it. This helps to reduce the kapha increasing qualities of the milk.
• Lighter fruits, such as apples, oranges, grape fruit, pineapple and papaya and pears, are recommended.
• Sweeteners: Honey is excellent for reducing kapha. Reduce the intake of sugar products, which increase kapha.
• Beans are recommended. Nuts should be avoided.
• Grains such as barley, chickpea and millet are recommended. Do not take too much wheat or rice, as they increase kapha.
• Spices are recommended only in moderate quantities.
• Vegetables such as potaotoes and sweet potatoes should be avoided as they can cause weight gain.
• Follow a lifestyle that will not aggravate any dosha.
• Negative feelings like stress and tension should be avoided. Do not undertake physical or mental work beyond your capacity.
• Limit the use of contraceptives.
• Follow an active lifestyle, yet the exercises should be according to one's capacity. Both, excessive fasting and overeating are harmful.
• Smoking, drinking alcohol and using narcotics aggravates menstrual disorders.