Changes

There are five ''bhutagnis'' and their function is to metabolize ''panchabhautic'' components of the food that are homologous to them in their composition. For instance, ''bhauma agni'' acts on the component that is ''bhauma'' or ''parthiva'' in its composition. ''Bhutagnis'' act on the products of digestion (''jatharagni paka''), hence, must be acting after the absorption of the nutrients, but before the action of ''dhatvagni''. The major site where the absorbed nutrients undergo biochemical transformation is in the liver, which plays an important role in metabolism, wherein several processes such as trans-amination, de-amination, beta-oxidation of fatty acids, glycolysis etc. take place. Therefore, the overall intermediary metabolism (involving fats, carbohydrates and proteins) can be understood as the functioning of the ''bhutagni''.

There are five ''bhutagnis'' and their function is to metabolize ''panchabhautic'' components of the food that are homologous to them in their composition. For instance, ''bhauma agni'' acts on the component that is ''bhauma'' or ''parthiva'' in its composition. ''Bhutagnis'' act on the products of digestion (''jatharagni paka''), hence, must be acting after the absorption of the nutrients, but before the action of ''dhatvagni''. The major site where the absorbed nutrients undergo biochemical transformation is in the liver, which plays an important role in metabolism, wherein several processes such as trans-amination, de-amination, beta-oxidation of fatty acids, glycolysis etc. take place. Therefore, the overall intermediary metabolism (involving fats, carbohydrates and proteins) can be understood as the functioning of the ''bhutagni''.

''Dhatvagni'' acts at tissue-level (in fact, at cellular level) upon the products of ''bhutagni paka'' and are responsible for the building of the respective ''dhatus''. In other words, the bio-energetic processes of a cell seem to be under the regulation of ''dhatvagni''. For instance, the common product of intermediary metabolism (involving fats, carbohydrates and proteins) is Acetyl-Co-A, which enters into Kreb’s cycle in the mitochondria of a cell. This is followed by electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation. [ ] It is interesting to note that the Kreb’s cycle is also known as the ‘final common pathway’ in the process of catabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. However, for the entry of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids into the cell, certain other factors such as hormones too are needed. For instance, insulin promotes the transportation of glucose, amino acids and fatty acids into the cell. Therefore, all these hormones (such as insulin, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, testosterone etc.) that promote the transportation of various nutrients into the cells, along with the enzymes participating in the Kreb’s cycle are to be included under the term ''dhatvagni''.

''Dhatvagni'' acts at tissue-level (in fact, at cellular level) upon the products of ''bhutagni paka'' and are responsible for the building of the respective ''dhatus''. In other words, the bio-energetic processes of a cell seem to be under the regulation of ''dhatvagni''. For instance, the common product of intermediary metabolism (involving fats, carbohydrates and proteins) is Acetyl-Co-A, which enters into Kreb’s cycle in the mitochondria of a cell. This is followed by electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation. <ref>Chatterjea MN, Shinde Rana. In:Textbook of Medical Biochemistry.  ISBN: 9788184481341. DOI: 10.5005/jp/books/10917. Edition:7/e. 2007. Pages: 824</ref> It is interesting to note that the Kreb’s cycle is also known as the ‘final common pathway’ in the process of catabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. However, for the entry of amino acids, glucose and fatty acids into the cell, certain other factors such as hormones too are needed. For instance, insulin promotes the transportation of glucose, amino acids and fatty acids into the cell. Therefore, all these hormones (such as insulin, growth hormone, thyroid hormones, testosterone etc.) that promote the transportation of various nutrients into the cells, along with the enzymes participating in the Kreb’s cycle are to be included under the term ''dhatvagni''.

Thus, the three major stages of the catabolism (involving fats, carbohydrates and proteins) i.e. digestion, intermediary metabolism and Kreb’s cycle - seem to represent the three sets of ''agnis,'' viz., ''jatharagni, bhutagni'' and ''dhatvagni'' respectively.

Thus, the three major stages of the catabolism (involving fats, carbohydrates and proteins) i.e. digestion, intermediary metabolism and Kreb’s cycle - seem to represent the three sets of ''agnis,'' viz., ''jatharagni, bhutagni'' and ''dhatvagni'' respectively.