Is Ayurveda A Science Of Life? Essay

Nutrition is defined “as the science that links foods to health and disease. “ Nutrition is also called nourishment that provides food for support of life. Nutrition involves the process of humans ingesting, digesting, absorbing, and excreting food substances.Food provides energy in the form of calories needed to maintain all body cells. Nutrients are the substances obtained from food that are an important factor to promote growth & maintain a healthy body through an individuals’ life.

Holistic Medicine, commonly referred to as “Alternative Medicine”, is a vast and rapidly growing new scientific field. It is derived mainly from ancient, traditional methods of healing that have often been practiced in the East for centuries. These include a variety of techniques from herbal healing to acupuncture to homeopathy to energy channeling. Due to the large number of methods that are covered by the term, there are various definitions of Holistic Medicine. However, all literature seems to agree that Alternative Medicine, is exactly what the name suggests: an ‘alternative’ approach to healing and medicine. It is a more personal move toward health care, which attempts to connect the mind, body and spirit.

Over the last 10,000 years, humans have evolved more than any other species that has ever set foot on planet Earth. As a population we have grown exponentially and made changes to our society that allow us to do things that have not been done before. In 1878, Thomas Edison recognized the ability of a bamboo filament that was connected to platina wires, to burn for significant periods of time: resulting in the first formation of the light bulb. Suddenly, the human race no longer had to endure the darkness that each night brought at the end of a 12-hour light period.

Practice can refer to the location or action which offers medicine---For example, a dance is the platform for which a choreography is displayed. Similariyly, a practice is a platfrom for which a medicine(s) is displayed. In Indian practices, ayervedy is the medicine practiced. In this case, the location and action of utilizing ayervedic medicine are both practices. However, these terminologies get trickt because Ayurveda can be used as both medicine and practice in different context. While Ayurveda is an example of Indian medicine, it can also refer to an Indian practice that offers medicine like natural herbs. Thereofre, often times “practice” and “medicine” are used interchangeably, however for the purpose of this paper, medicine would refer to the “choreography” that makes the “dance” or practice. With these definitons, Alternative medicine should actually be Alternative practice since it makes use of many medicinial and salutary Medicine is the treatment that is offered and medicinal is curative properties of medicine, For example, doctors practice medicine and prescribe medications to offer medicinal effects to patients. For the sake of this paper, I will be referring to Alternative medicine as it is conventionally

Dr. James Marcum, a cardiologist at the Chattanooga Heart Institute in Tennessee claims, “Pharmaceutical drugs don’t heal people.” In fact, he states, “Much of the time they do more harm than good”(Milner). U.S. Citizens need to stop taking harmful pills and start using more natural, holistic healing methods. Everyone has probably used a pill before to relieve their pain, but there are healthier ways to feel just as good. According to the results of the National Health Interview Survey, “In 2012, 33.2% of U.S. adults used complementary health approaches”(What Complementary and Integrative Approaches Do Americans Use?). While some people believe conventional medicine is a better choice, it is clear that holistic healing can replace prescription drugs because they are more safe and effective than prescription drugs, and they are more practical in many ways.

In 2000, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a health claim which states that consuming foods containing plant sterol and stanol esters along with other low cholesterol and saturated fat foods can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (Jones, Vanstone, Raeini-Sarjaz, & St-Onge, 2003). Today, many functional foods in the form of margarines, spread, yogurt, and others, have been enriched with phytosterols and advocated as being able to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Phytosterols have been known for its cholesterol-lowering effect by blocking absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. However, there are controversies surrounding the efficacy of phytosetrol that are enriched in foods in reducing cholesterol levels. Many studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched foods. Vásquez-Trespalacios and Romero-Palacio (2014) and Amundsen, Ose, Nenseter, and Ntanios (2002) have demonstrated the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched foods in reducing total and LDL-cholesterol levels. However, there are also many studies that show otherwise. For example, Jones et al. (2003) and Weingärtner et al. (2016) have shown that phytosterol-supplemented foods did not have any effect on total and LDL-cholesterol levels. The debate regarding the efficacy of phytosterol in functional foods is crucial as phytosterol-enriched foods can potentially be a solution to a continuous increase in population suffering from cardiovascular diseases. The

Indian medicine might be nowhere a science, but there are grounds in comparing it in that respect with European medicine of the same period, which were still under the sway of the doctrine of signatures and Galenic humors. The concepts of humors--that is, "specific bodily fluids essential to the physiological functioning of an organism"-- originated at a very early stage of Greek medicine. The reason why this little bit of

India does have major health care hurdles. The biggest issues that affect healthcare in India stem from poverty and sanitation. Multiple complications arise when 638 million people open defecate and 122 million have no access to toilets (Indian Child, 1995). India’s social economic gaps are profound and 85% of healthcare is private sector, which makes it unreachable by the majority of the public (Indian Child, 1995). With a rapidly emerging economy India is trying to catch up to it’s healthcare needs and may be attained with a healthy economy developing. India is assessing their needs and understanding the importance of investing into social fabric. India has some good advantages for tackling healthcare 1. Utilizing models from other nations. 2. Learning to avoid costly mistakes from other countries. 3. Has the financial power to do so. Family A’s current health maintenance, protection and restoration since wife’s pilgrimage at age nine has been greatly influenced by western medicine yet some aspects are still strong within her eastern influence. Such things as preparing Khichdi, this is a lentil and rice soup with cumin, and garmmasala. It is a common comfort food for Indian culture. Dal another comfort food which usually consists of turmeric, cumin, ginger, red chili and red lentils is also prepared by the family during cold season. Family A also goes to temple to learn the

The events and occurrence that one faces are guided by the deities in the Indian culture. Indians believe that one’s health is closely related to their body, soul and mind. A health person has his body, soul and mind in balance (Gupta, 2010). On the medical line, Indians balance modern and traditional medicine for their well being and health. Families however have a strong preference for herbal medicines. They will thus turn to traditional treatment and only use modern medicine as the final

A medical system that is over 3,000 years old, and still practiced to this day, that incorporates the use of herbs, minerals, and special diets. There a key concepts related to Ayurveda. These include “universal interconnectedness (among people, their health, and the universe), the body’s constitution (prakriti), and life forces (dosha)” (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). There is some danger in the practice of Ayurveda, however, it is important to utilize the care of a knowledgeable traditional healer who is trained in the art of healing with the herbs and minerals of Ayurveda, otherwise there is risk of toxicity. It is important for nurses to be aware of any Ayurvedic medicines an Indian patient may be using due to interactions or potential side effects they could be

The affair of "natural healing" tends to be blurred abracadabra up affections alignment from adjournment as ambiguous science to bounce of all western anesthetic practices of drugs and surgery.

Its benefits trace way back before microbes were even discovered. Scientists of the early ages like Hippocrates considered fermented milk to be a medicine, they prescribe sour milk for curing stomach and intestinal disorders (1). Yogurt contains healthy bacteria, known as probiotics, it is good for the body by keeping the digestive and immune system functioning well. More and more people include yogurt as part of their diet knowing all of its possible health benefits. For examples, yogurt may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, help prevent osteoporosis, boost the immune system and promote a healthy digestive tract

One of the reasons why fruit juice is chosen to be the new product is the threat from the natural food trend. People are learning what is better for them and start preferring natural foods rather than nutritional supplements. They consider absorbing nutrients from natural foods is better or enough for them. Moreover, consumers are using beverages and food to manage health issues today. For example, many consumers are seeking foods like whole grains and avoiding trans fat and cholesterol to manage diabetes (Hartman Group 2015). The trend of inclining natural food has threatened the whole vitamins and supplements industry. The general public may not fully understand nutritional supplements as the company does. Medically, nutritional supplements

One of these is through fermented foods. These are the foods preserved through the lactose fermentation process. This process not only helps to keep the food but also creates enzymes, various strains of probiotics as well as fatty acids. Therefore, to repopulate the gut with these essential bacteria, one has to consume fermented food. These include foods like yogurt, kimchi and pickles, and fermented drinks like kombucha and kefir. Apart from the fermented foods, the researchers include supplements as sources of probiotics bacteria. A healthy gut must contain trillions of bacteria that fermented food alone cannot provide. Due to the increased focus on gut health, probiotics supplements were developed. In Tuohy, & In Del, (2014), researchers advise that if taken in the right amount, probiotics can help reduce many body ailments in humans as well as animals. The researchers, however, warn patients against consuming just any probiotics supplements. They should know what is important for them as these supplements are not created

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in complementary medicine, and indeed alternative medicine (Lee-Treweek 2002, Andrews 2004, Barry 2006). Moreover the number of professionally trained therapist and practitioners has increased giving the patient/client a better choice and at more competitive rates (Smallwood, 2005).