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|title=Ashtauninditiya Adhyaya

|title=Ashtauninditiya Adhyaya

|titlemode=append

|titlemode=append

|keywords=Atisthaulya, Atikarshya, Morbid obesity, Hereditary and genetic Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, Sleep(Nidra), Insomnia(Anidra)

|keywords=Atisthaulya, Atikarshya, Morbid obesity, Hereditary and genetic Disorders, Endocrine Disorders, Sleep(Nidra),charak samhita, ayurveda, Insomnia(Anidra), sleep disorders

|description=Sutra Sthana Chapter 21. Eight Undesirable Physical Constitutions

|description=Sutra Sthana Chapter 21. Eight Undesirable Physical Constitutions

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}}

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Now I will explain the chapter on eight undesirable physical appearances. Thus said Lord Atreya [1-2]

Now we shall expound the chapter "Ashtauninditiya" (Eight undesirable physical appearances). Thus said Lord Atreya [1-2]

=== Eight undesirable physical appearances ===

=== Eight undesirable physical appearances ===

In the context of the body (structure and appearance), the following eight types of persons are considered undesirable - too tall, too short, too hairy, hairless, too dark, too light (complexioned), too obese and too lean [3]

In the context of the body (structure and appearance), the following eight types of persons are considered undesirable - too tall, too short, too hairy, hairless, too dark, too light (complexioned), too obese and too lean [3]

=== Eight inherent sequelae of obesity ===

 

==== Eight inherent sequelae of obesity ====

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Amongst these, the too obese and too lean physical appearances are considered the most undesirable ones. The excessively obese have eight inherent defects in them: reduced lifespan, constricted or limited movement (hampered due to loose, tender and heavy fats), reduced sexual activities or impotence (due to small quantity of semen produced and obstruction of the channel of semen by ''medas''), debility (due to ''dhatu'' imbalance), emit bad smell (due to the inherent nature of fatty tissues as well as excessive sweating), profuse sweating (since ''medas'' and ''kapha'' are vitiated), and excessive hunger and thirst (due to excessive digestive ''agni'' and ''vayu'' in the body). Excessive obesity is caused due to over-nourishment as a consequence of the intake of heavy, sweet, cold and fatty diet, lack of physical exercise, abstinence from sexual intercourse, sleeping during the day, uninterrupted cheerfulness, lack of mental activities and hereditary/genetic defects. These consequences may lead to an excess of fat (with further accumulation of only fat) and consequent depletion of dhatus. [4]  

Amongst these, the too obese and too lean physical appearances are considered the most undesirable ones. The excessively obese have eight inherent defects in them: reduced lifespan, constricted or limited movement (hampered due to loose, tender and heavy fats), reduced sexual activities or impotence (due to small quantity of semen produced and obstruction of the channel of semen by ''medas''), debility (due to ''dhatu'' imbalance), emit bad smell (due to the inherent nature of fatty tissues as well as excessive sweating), profuse sweating (since ''medas'' and ''kapha'' are vitiated), and excessive hunger and thirst (due to excessive digestive ''agni'' and ''vayu'' in the body). Excessive obesity is caused due to over-nourishment as a consequence of the intake of heavy, sweet, cold and fatty diet, lack of physical exercise, abstinence from sexual intercourse, sleeping during the day, uninterrupted cheerfulness, lack of mental activities and hereditary/genetic defects. These consequences may lead to an excess of fat (with further accumulation of only fat) and consequent depletion of dhatus. [4]  

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=== Pathophysiology of Obesity ===

==== Pathophysiology of Obesity ====

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Due to the obstruction of body channels by ''medas'', the movement of ''vata'' is specially confined to ''koshtha'' (abdominal viscera) resulting in the stimulation of digestive power and absorption of food. Hence,the person digests food quickly and becomes a voracious eater. By not following rules of taking meals at specific times during the day, he is afflicted by dreadful diseases. ''Agni'' (''pitta'' component responsible for digestion) and ''vata'' are the two most troublesome factors from the standpoint of obesity. These factors blight an obese person as wildfire destroys a forest. As the body gains excessive fat, vitiated ''doshas'' suddenly cause severe diseases resulting in rapid deterioration of life. The person is considered too obese when there is an excessive increase in fat and muscle tissue in the regions of buttocks, abdomen, and breasts, which become pendulous and suffer from deficient metabolism and energy. These are the causes, signs, and symptoms of an obese person [5-10]

Due to the obstruction of body channels by ''medas'', the movement of ''vata'' is specially confined to ''koshtha'' (abdominal viscera) resulting in the stimulation of digestive power and absorption of food. Hence,the person digests food quickly and becomes a voracious eater. By not following rules of taking meals at specific times during the day, he is afflicted by dreadful diseases. ''Agni'' (''pitta'' component responsible for digestion) and ''vata'' are the two most troublesome factors from the standpoint of obesity. These factors blight an obese person as wildfire destroys a forest. As the body gains excessive fat, vitiated ''doshas'' suddenly cause severe diseases resulting in rapid deterioration of life. The person is considered too obese when there is an excessive increase in fat and muscle tissue in the regions of buttocks, abdomen, and breasts, which become pendulous and suffer from deficient metabolism and energy. These are the causes, signs, and symptoms of an obese person [5-10]

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=== Features of an excessively lean person ===

==== Features of an excessively lean person ====

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Both these undesirable types of people (too obese and too lean) always suffer from some disease or the other and need to be constantly managed by bulk-reducing and bulk-promoting therapies respectively. Of the two, lean is less harmful than obese, and the physical and mental sufferings in the case of an obese person are far greater in comparison to a lean person [16-17]

Both these undesirable types of people (too obese and too lean) always suffer from some disease or the other and need to be constantly managed by bulk-reducing and bulk-promoting therapies respectively. Of the two, lean is less harmful than obese, and the physical and mental sufferings in the case of an obese person are far greater in comparison to a lean person [16-17]

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=== The importance of ideal body proportion ===

==== The importance of ideal body proportion ====

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A person with a balanced proportion of muscles and compactness of the body and firmness in sense organs is not overcome by the onslaught of disorders. Such people can tolerate hunger, thirst, the heat of the sun, cold and physical exercise. Their digestion, assimilation of food and muscle metabolism is in a state of equilibrium. [18-19]

A person with a balanced proportion of muscles and compactness of the body and firmness in sense organs is not overcome by the onslaught of disorders. Such people can tolerate hunger, thirst, the heat of the sun, cold and physical exercise. Their digestion, assimilation of food and muscle metabolism is in a state of equilibrium. [18-19]

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=== The best diet for obese and lean persons ===

==== The best diet for obese and lean persons ====

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Heavy and non-nourishing (diet) therapy are prescribed for slimming in the case of the too obese, while for promoting the bulk of the too lean light and nourishing therapy is prescribed [20]

Heavy and non-nourishing (diet) therapy are prescribed for slimming in the case of the too obese, while for promoting the bulk of the too lean light and nourishing therapy is prescribed [20]

    

    

=== Management of obesity ===

==== Management of obesity ====

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One desirous of reducing obesity should indulge more and more in vigil, sexual activities, as well as physical and mental exercises [21-28]

One desirous of reducing obesity should indulge more and more in vigil, sexual activities, as well as physical and mental exercises [21-28]

=== Management of leanness ===

==== Management of leanness ====

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