NOURISH | 2023

AYURVEDIC NUTRITION A NEW HORIZON Ayurveda and Immunity: Ayurveda mentions “Vyadhikshamatva” as concept of immunity which means the factor which limits the pathogenesis and opposes the strength of disease 2 .This depends on various factors like active lifestyle, food habits and best nutrition. Thus, Ayurveda emphasizes promotion of health through strengthening of host defenses using Rasayana (rejuvenation), against day-to-day physiological extremes as well as opportunistic maladies.

Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old life science that has originated and evolved in India 1 . The authoritative texts encompass not only the medical science for treating disease but also the principles of leading a healthy and happy life. These principles involve the daily and seasonal regimen, wholesome and unwholesome foods, nutritional requirements in different stages of life, functional and targeted nutrition to prevent lifestyle ailments, nutrition for mental health and also focuses on personalized nutrition.

Why do we need specialty botanicals or plant (phyto)based products to benefit immunity?

Apart from essential nutrients like vitamins C, A, E, B6, B12 and minerals like iron and zinc, specialty botanicals and plant-based food are an integral part of our daily nutrition. Some herbs have been identified as important for daily maintenance of immune system and classified as immunotonics, which include immunostimulants, immunomodulators or immunoadjuvants. The experimental research reports suggest that certain phytoconstituents and phytochemicals have the intrinsic ability to maintain better health by boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation and allergies as well as detoxifying contaminants, pollutants and activating enzymes that unbridled cell division. 3

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