Reimagining Metabolism: An Ayurvedic Perspective

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Growing up in India, my grandma always used to say chew your food, sit down and eat, don’t drink cold water with your meals. When I was sick or under the weather, she would make a thin stew of split mung beans and rice (khichadi) that’s nourishing and easy on the digestion. 6 years ago, I stumbled upon Ayurveda, the ancient medicine system of India/ the sister science of yoga, and I realized how much of my upbringing was naturally influenced by its teachings.

What is Agni?

We all have heard the phrase ‘fire in one’s belly’. In Ayurveda, this fire is called Agni. It governs metabolism. In the stomach, it manifests as the gastric secretions. It is acidic and helps to break down the food, aiding in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients. Agni is responsible for destroying the foreign bacteria and toxins in the digestive tract. It is responsible for the proper functioning of the immune system. It helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome and is key to longevity. When Agni is impaired, metabolism slows down, food is not properly digested, creating metabolic toxins in the body called Ama. Ama is the root cause of disease. It affects all bodily functions, reducing our immunity and making us prone to allergies and weight gain. Long-term accumulation of Ama leads to chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and heart diseases.

Can lifestyle affect your Agni?

The strength of our Agni depends on the four pillars of health. According to Ayurveda, these are Ahar (food), Vihar (lifestyle), Nidra (Sleep), and Brahmacharya (conscious use of our senses/energy). Our digestive fire varies with age, time of the day, seasons, emotions, and stress. With age, Agni weakens and needs more attention. Our digestive fire is the strongest at noon when the sun’s rays are at their peak and weakest at night. Hence, it is advised to make lunch the biggest meal of the day and dinner the lightest. Seasonally, Agni is the strongest during the wintertime and weakest during summer. What we take in through all five senses, what we eat, how we eat, when we eat, what emotions we are experiencing, and the level of stress in our lives all have a profound effect on our metabolism and digestion.

What disturbs the Agni?

Several factors can throw your Agni out of balance. For starters, not chewing your food properly and overeating in one sitting is very hard on your digestion. Today’s fast-paced modern lifestyle means we are eating on the go. This concept was very foreign to me until I came to the US. Being distracted while eating or eating on the go is not good for your Agni. Additionally, eating junk food, refined sugar, and ultra-processed foods, including plant-based meats, all dampen the fire in your belly. Lastly, I see people drinking ice-cold water with their meals, which will weaken their Agni. It’s like putting out a fire by pouring cold water on it. Just by drinking warm water, you can improve the quality of your digestion.

How can we keep our Agni balanced?

According to Ayurveda, a balanced Agni is key to good health and wellbeing.  One of the simplest things you can do to bring your Agni back into balance is to chew your food and not overeat. Additionally, eating warm, cooked meals made fresh from scratch (no boxed ingredients), eating mindfully, and engaging all five senses while eating are also very supportive of Agni. Regular walk and exercise, preferably on an empty stomach, eating three meals a day with no snacking in between, waking up before 6:00 AM, and going to bed before 10:00 PM are all practices that will serve your Agni well. Cultivating Sattva or harmony by practicing meditation, breathwork, and yoga can help you process your emotions and support Agni.

Final thoughts

So next time you meet someone and can’t help but notice a glow on their face, a dynamism in their personality, a spark in their eyes. It’s their balanced Agni at work. Honoring your Agni and eating to the strength of your digestive fire is one of the very important principles in Ayurveda. When making food choices, ask yourself; How strong is my Agni? What consequence will it have on my digestion and, hence, my well-being? Connecting what you eat to how you are feeling is key to good metabolism, health, and longevity.

Sources:

Ayurveda the science of self-healing by Dr. Vasant lad

Ayurvedic cooking for self-healing by Usha Lad and Dr. Vasant Lad

Freedom in your relationship with food by Myra Lewin

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board