Rastogi - Ayurvedic Science of Food and Nutrition

Prakriti is a geneticepigenetic conceptualization of Ayurveda that personifies the geneticepigenetic interplay of three major body types. These three body types are primarily the metabolic variants of individuals functioning variously at physical, physiological, and psychological levels [].

Vata , for irregular metabolizers, require smaller, yet more frequent, quantities of food because they cannot cope with hunger. Pitta , the fast metabolizers, require large quantities of food per meal and need it more frequently because they also cannot cope with hunger and thirst. In contrast to these two, Kaphai , the slow metabolizers, require smaller quantities of food less frequently because they have a higher tolerance for thirst and hunger. There are several obvious implications of determining food requirements on the basis of prakriti . It can be used to determine the fasting tolerance of people who are fasting. Fasting has been a very popular form of religious ritual among Hindus and Muslims. Understanding an individuals prakriti can help in designing fasts depending on the persons tolerance without compromising his or her physical or religious needs. A few more observations are in order regarding prakriti in relation to food. Aging is a differential phenomenon as some people age faster than others. Aging is determined primarily by metabolic activities taking place within cells. Clearly, a cell that is metabolically active will age earlier than other, less active cells provided no other protective mechanisms are at work to reverse the aging process []. For obvious reasons due to their higher metabolic turnover, Pitta people age faster than others. This phenomenon is beautifully noted in Ayurveda by observing that Pitta is characterized by increased hunger and thirst, an early graying and loss of hair, and increased mole formations. Contrary to this observation, Kapha is characterized by slow metabolic turnover, which is observed through lesser food and a greater tolerance for hunger. To arrest premature aging, it is important to balance food quantities appropriately in accordance with the individual prakriti without causing a food deficit or overload. The metabolic rate also determines individual differences among people. The concept of prakriti in Ayurveda suggests that every individual is distinct physiologically, psychologically, and physically.