Menopause is physiological changes certainly with few emotional disturbances. Menopause can be simply defined as the end of the last menstrual period. This natural transition generally occurs at the age of 45-55 years.

When the ovaries no longer respond to the hormones, they fail to release an egg each month and to produce the female sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone. The fall in the levels of these hormones in the bloodstream gives rise to the symptoms of menopause.

Women experience the symptoms of menopause for several years up to menopause itself. This is called the ‘Climacteric’, or ‘Pre-Menopause’, and represents the gradual decline in the normal function of the ovaries. Menstrual periods become erratic both in spacing and amount. During those months or years leading up to menopause, a woman experiences various symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

• Irregular periods
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Sleep problems
• Mood changes
• Weight gain and slowed metabolism
• Thinning hair and dry skin
• Loss of breast fullness and
• Psychological symptoms like Depression, mood swings, tiredness or headaches are also quite common.

However Forgetfulness or irritability if present can be distressing  not only to her but even to her family.

In Ayurveda, menopause is just dealt as a natural effect of aging and not considered as a disease or disorder. Moreover there are very few references that can be related to menopause or “Rajo Nivrutti” is said to have the predominance of vata dosha and  the symptoms of menopause are quite similar to the symptoms seen when the Vata Dosha increases and upsets the normal balance of the body.

Menopausal symptoms like depression, anxiety, insomnia, osteoporosis, dry skin are closely related to increased vata. However the imbalance among other doshas also shows certain symptoms. Women with anger and hot flushes have excessive pitta. Listlessness, weight gain, slow metabolism and feelings of mental and physical heaviness are seen in excessive kapha conditions.

As said earlier, Fluctuating hormones especially, the reducing oestrogen level result in many unfavourable symptoms like irregular cycles sometimes with abnormally heavy bleeding hot flashes, dryness in vagina, loss of bladder strength, skin changes, insomnia, mood swings etc.

Not only that they also increases the risk of osteoporosis, heart diseases, high cholesterol, stroke, certain cancers during menopause.

Menopause – take it easy and make it easy

Nothing can be as effective as dietary and lifestyle modifications embraced at the right time to assist the changing physiology of your body for an easy menopause.

As Vata will be dominant, measures taken to reduce vata and bring back the doshic balance will prevent most of the premenopausal symptoms.

• Eating the right food is very important. Select a balanced as well as a nutritious diet.
• Stick to warm foods and drinks, maintain regular meal pattern and use spices such as fennel, ginger, cinnamon, fenugreek and cumin in food
• Include milk and milk products and add lot of fruits and vegetables in your diet to supplement calcium, iron, vitamins and minerals.
• Avoid excessive intake of salt, chillies, spices, sour foods, and pickles.
• Decrease intake of caffeine and other stimulants, refined sugar, junk food, cold and carbonated drinks.
• Regular exercise, can improve your health and add years to your life. Exercise strengthens. your bones, increases well being and induces good sleep.
• Take regular oil massages to alleviate vata.
• Practice meditation and yoga to keep yourself calm.
• Watch your weight and lose weight if you think you are overweight.
• Quits smoking and cut down on alcohol as these can be harmful at this stage.

Ayurveda for Menopause

Mainly focused on regulating the hormones, bringing mental calmness and maintaining a normal digestion and other biological functions.

Ayurvedic Panchakarma procedures like vamana, Virechana and Basti for body cleansing along with other supporting therapies like Abhyanga, Swedana, Shirodhara, Patra Pinda Sweda, Udvartana and some specific treatments like Uttarbasti, Yoni Prakshalan & Pichu (Vaginal treatments) are adopted as per the need of each individual to treat and support the changes during menopause.

Herbs like Shatavari, Yastimadhu, Ashoka, Guggulu  helps in healing  as well as Rejuvenation.

People wrongly assume, that “fasting” means “starvation.” In fact, fasting isn’t skipping meals or a fad diet either. The actual definition of fasting is “Abstaining from food for a defined period.”

Studies show that over the last few decades, the amount of time, we spend not eating has shrunk significantly. In fact, we are now eating food throughout the day (be it the snacks you consume on your desk or the coffee you sip every couple of hours), as compared to just thirty years ago.

In fasting, instead of three big meals a day and several snacks in between, you skip a particular meal(s) precisely at the same time every week (month/day).  

 let’s take a look at some of the fantastic benefits of fasting:

        1. Lose Weight

Intermittent fasting is a safe way to shed those extra pounds. This is because since your body doesn’t have any energy source to burn, due to the lack of food, it digs into the fat reserves, helping you lose stored body fat.

In fact, fasting is an efficient way to burn off body fat, than just regular dieting.

       2. Live for Longer

The lesser food you eat, the longer you live. As you age, the metabolism slows down, and it becomes difficult to digest foods as easily as when you were young.

When you fast, you eat less than regularly, reducing the burden on your digestive organs, and promoting longevity.

      3. Boost your Metabolism

Periodic fasting gives rest to your digestive system, thereby helping your body burn more calories. When your digestion is weak, your metabolism becomes weak. This is reset by fasting, which improves your body functions, which in turn improves your metabolism.

     4. Recognize Hunger Signals

True hunger kicks are felt only when you haven’t eaten for 12 to 24 hours.

Intermittent Fasting helps to regulate your hormones, helping in experience real hunger. One of the primary reasons for being overweight is that we’re unable to read the signals given by our body correctly.

     5. Improve your Brain Function

Intermittent Fasting boosts the production of a type of protein called as BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor).  This hormone is responsible for activating the stem cells in brains to produce new neurons and trigger other factors associated with neural health.

it also shields your brain cells from contracting Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

     6. Give a boost to your Immune System

Fasting prevents free radical damage and reduces inflammation in the body, in return strengthening the immune system.

     7. Reduce the risk of Diabetes

Fasting helps to improve insulin sensitivity. When you indulge in fasting, your body can better tolerate more carbs than otherwise, this can reduce the overall risk of Diabetes.

Final Thoughts

Here are a few ways to make your fasting easier and more efficient.

1. Decide on the type of fast you want to do – Set the period, you want to restrict your eating. 12-hour fast is ideal for beginners. If you have already fasted, then you can opt for alternate-day fasting.
2. Decide what you want to achieve – Lose weight, feel healthier, get more energy, spiritual experience, or rectify the lifestyle
3. Make your menu –Will you be drinking fruit juices, or eating uncooked vegetables and fruits. 

Above all, listen to your Body – Feel lightheaded and dizzy halfway through the fast? No worries, take a healthy snack. The main reason for fasting is to tune into your body’s signals. There are no hard and fast rules, so no worries about messing up. You can start again when your body is ready.

Article by:

Dr. Adithya Hande
Naturopathy & Yoga Physician
Shathayu Retreat

Overweight and worried about your health risks? You should be. Obesity has become an epidemic for a new generation and it goes hand in hand with a host of other modern-day “epidemics”, including diabetes, PCOD, infertility, and heart disease. Did you know that Sucess For Weight Loss can be simple and easy if you know what to do and how to do it?

Shathayu Retreat has a special Weight loss programme  to remove toxins and improve the metabolic rate. It includes Weightloss Paste massage to give shape to the body, tone it and remove cellulite. We encourage people to follow wholesome and nutritious food habits as per the body’s constitution without crash diet/ fasting. We recommend regular and simple exercises like brisk walks and yoga. These reliable guides will surely help you to achieve success for weight loss results and make you feel and look good.

The program also helps you to stay away from the lifestyle that previously caused you to gain weight. Hence, you will know what and how to do in order to maintain the body weight for the long term. Continuous support and motivation will help you to change to a healthy lifestyle in the long term success for weight loss.

Shathayu Retreat also treats PCOD, Arthritis, Back pain, Diabetes, High cholesterol, Psoriasis, migraines, Infertility, Pimples, Hair fall, anxiety, Sleeplessness, etc.

Having belly fat simply ruins the beauty of your entire personality, and one starts looking more aged. So if you want to look good, and be healthy reducing fat around your tummy should be the utmost priority.

The fat released from the omentum (which is fatty layer of tissue located inside the belly) rapidly and constantly travels to your liver, unlike the fat on your thighs, which patiently waits. The processed material is then shipped to the arteries, where it is linked to health risks like high LDL (lousy) cholesterol.

Experts say omentum fat (or an “apple” body shape) is more harmful than subcutaneous fat (like thigh fat, which gives you a “pear” shape) which can increase one’s chances of getting cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, Infertility, PCOD, and other Obesity Related diseases.

Stomach fat is one of the biggest problems for Men, women, and children- all age groups are fighting against obesity. No matter which age group you belong to, it is not easy to reduce belly fat. It requires workouts and exercises and that too along with proper treatment.

Ayurveda Detox helps in reducing body fat along with several other health benefits. This therapy is a great way to reduce belly fat along with Ayurveda massages. we are sure that you will find a noticeable difference and say WOW to yourself within four weeks of time and End 2019 in a better and healthy way!

It’s never too late to change old habits and start WEIGHT MANAGEMENT therapies for adopting a Healthy way of losing Body fat with Ayurveda

4 Essentials for Weight Loss

11 Leading Reasons Behind Rapid Weight Gain

Losing weight is usually difficult for many reasons. There are various reasons for an individual to gain weight. So finding out the actual reason will help you to find a proper plan to lose weight.

 

1. Calorie intake

Weight of the body is a balancing act. If you eat more calories than you burn, you eventually gain weight. A lack of energy balance often results in overweight and obesity.

To maintain a healthy weight, your calorie IN and OUT don’t have to balance exactly every day. It’s the balance over a period of time that helps you maintain a healthy weight.

 

2. Unhealthy eating habits

Having a diet that is high in calories, lack of fruits and vegetables, more of fast foods, skipping breakfast, food laden with high-calorie beverages and oversized portions of foods contribute to weight gain.

 

3. Genetic

Overweight and obesity tend to run in families. Chances of being overweight are greater if there is a history of the same in family. Your genes may also affect the amount of fat you store in your body and part of the body on which you carry the extra fat.

 

4. Lack of physical activity

We tend to put physical activity as last priority in the present lifestyle, for e.g. sitting at the  desk for a longer time . Even though some of them work out for an hour in gym, due to sedentary lifestyle chances of gaining weight is higher.

 

5. Metabolism

In the simplest terms, metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories (“fuel”). Very few people have a fast metabolism. A faster metabolism will enable you to lose more weight than a person with the same activity level, diet and weight. There are some factors that you can control and change, and some factors that you can’t, like:

• Age – Metabolic rate decreases 5% each decade, after the age of 40, partly because of decreased muscle mass.
• Gender – Men generally burn calories more quickly than women because they have more muscle tissue.
• Heredity – You can inherit your metabolic rate from previous generations.
• Thyroid disorder – Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)

 

6. Medical conditions

Obesity can sometimes be traced to a medical cause such as PCOD, hormonal imbalance, Fatty liver, Cushing’s syndrome, arthritis, etc. which results in weight gain.

 

7. Medication

Some medications can lead to weight gain if you don’t compensate through diet or activity. These medications include some antidepressants, anti-seizure medications, diabetes medications, antipsychotic medications, corticosteroids and beta blockers.

 

8. Lacking essential fats

Not all fats are bad.  Foods such as fish, ghee, virgin coconut oil,  olive oil contain essential fats that our bodies require .People do not realize that some amount fat is also required for proper metabolism. Lack of beneficial fats can end up in having cravings for fatty foods which results in weight gain.

 

9. Lack of Sleep

You might be gaining weight because of lack of sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, your body experiences physiological stress and biochemically you store fat more efficiently. Research shows that lack of sleep increases the risk of obesity. Sleep helps maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that make you feel hungry (ghrelin) or full (leptin). When you don’t get enough sleep, your level of ghrelin goes up and your level of leptin goes down. This makes you feel more hungry than when you’re well-rested.

 

10. Hormonal variations

Some hormone problems may cause overweight and obesity, such as underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and menopause. Ayurvedic Treatment for Weight loss helps to shed Fat naturally and balance the hormones. Even in pregnancy women gain weight and undergo various hormonal changes.

 

11. Emotional Factors

Some people eat more than usual when they’re bored, angry or stressed. Over time, overeating will lead to weight gain and may cause overweight or obesity.

There are several more reasons which directly or indirectly cause weight gain and related complications.

Stress can take a major toll on our weight issues. Cortisol is the stress hormone which directly affects fat storage and weight gain in stressed individuals. Cortisol is associated with overeating, craving high caloric fatty, and sugary foods, and relocating fat from the circulation and storage depots to the abdominal area.

Stress can take a major toll on our weight issues. Cortisol is the stress hormone which directly affects fat storage and weight gain in stressed individuals. Cortisol is associated with overeating, craving high caloric fatty, and sugary foods, and relocating fat from the circulation and storage depots to the abdominal area.

This type of stress-induced obesity is linked to developing cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and hypertension.

An effective stress and weight management program at Shathayu Ayurveda like Detoxification, Shirodhara, and Massages along with regular exercises and a healthy diet may be a key to reducing and preventing stress-induced Obesity. As the Detox improves metabolism it also reduces the cortisol hormones and helps to overcome the irregular eating cravings.