Metabolism as per ayurveda

by Dr. Prasanna Venkatesh

Most of us are aware of the word “METABOLISM”.

Let us observe few things happening in our body regularly.

  1. We consume food
  2. After undergoing many processes it will be converted into our body tissues.
  3. Most of the waste materials produced during this process, will be eliminated out through different routes.

Let us follow & understand these things slowly & carefully.

In this process, the concept of Ayurveda is very unique.

  • Basically there is (digestive) fire, which bakes & converts the food items in to our body tissues. Ayurveda calls that fire as “AGNI”.
  • Whatever the food we consume (either solid / liquid) it will undergo digestion process in 3 levels.
  1. Digestion in stomach – responsible Agni is JAATHARAAGNI (ಜಾಠರಾಗ್ನಿ)

We can take it as macro level digestion ;

  1. Digestion at tissue level; – responsible Agni is DHAATWAGNI (ಧಾತ್ವಗ್ನಿ)

We can take it as micro level digestion

  1. Cellular level – responsible Agni is BHOOTAAGNI (ಭೂತಾಗ್ನಿ)

We can take it as nano level digestion

If that Agni is proper, @ these multiple levels, that person will be healthy. If anything derangement happens (may be @ any level), leads to unhealthy condition.


Author is Chief Physician, Sriranga Ayurveda Chikitsa Mandira, Prakruthi Ayurveda Pratistana ®, Mysore

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