Prakriti and preventive medicine w.s.r. to dietary guidelines
Synopsis
Ayurveda's initiative of Prakriti, or constitutional type, is essential to comprehending a person's health and susceptibility for disease. According to Prakriti, people are classified in three types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each type has unique physical and mental characteristics. Ayurvedic preventive medicine emphasizes preserving equilibrium via dietary and lifestyle changes based on an individual's Prakriti. Dietary guidelines in Ayurveda are inextricably linked to Prakriti, ensuring proper digestion, metabolism, and disease prevention. Vata-dominant people benefit from warm, moist, and grounding foods, whereas Pitta people need cooling and moderate foods, and Kapha people thrive on light, dry, and spicy diets. Understanding Prakriti-based nutrition helps to avoid imbalances that lead to disease. Integrating Prakriti-based dietary principles with modern preventive medicine can improve personalized nutrition strategies and promote overall well-being. This approach is consistent with the growing emphasis on precision medicine, providing a time-tested framework for preventive healthcare via tailored dietary practices.
Keywords: Ayurveda, constitution, dietary guidelines, genetics, Prakriti, preventive medicine