Nutrition, Lifestyle and Preventive Health

Ayurveda is the science of life, evolved from the search of man to have a happy life, through a deep understanding of evolution, creation and its maintenance, recognized and visualized by the Maharishi’s of ancient India. Ayurveda, progressively established as a scientific discipline during the Vedic period, conceptualised life as a union of the soul, mind and body, recognizing them as integral and interdependent parts of existence, A pivotal role in the maintenance of health has been given to Ahara (wholesome food), Nidra (Optimum sleep) and Brahmacharya (selective Celibacy) as ‘Trayopasthambha’. Dinacharya and Rutucharya has been given important role along with diet or Ahar in the maintenance of disease. In Ayurveda, the wholesome and non-wholesome substances including diet; medicines etc. are discribed and classified into three major categories, viz, Shamana (palliative), Kopana (aggravating) and Swastha Hita (conducive to health). An Ayurveda emphasises that the development of the human body depends on assimilation of the nutrients from food as well as the excellence in the health is because excessive consumption of unhealthy foods and deficiencies in nutrientrich foods contribute to the development of disease i.e. the wholesome food and unwholesome food. Ayurveda has developed the wisdom of dietetics or science of nutrition which is a fundamental principle for maintaining health and preventing disease on the basis of ability of various natural understandings at different levels of our sensorium. A cornerstone of palliative care is the holistic approach, encompassing Ahara (wholesome food), vihara(wholesome activities), and Aushadha (medicament) to provide comprehensive support for patients facing serious illnesses. It is imperative to review the Ayurveda for applications of measures in prevention of the upcoming epidemics, lifestyle disorders which are preventable with changes in diet or nutrition as well as lifestyle modification and environment.