The Ancient Science of Weight Management + Blood Sugar: Understanding the Causes of Imbalance

Weight management and blood sugar control are important aspects of overall health and well-being. In Ayurveda, these health concerns are closely linked to the balance of the three doshas, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha has a unique influence on weight management and blood sugar control, and understanding how the doshas affect these health concerns can help to maintain balance and improve overall well-being.

Vata individuals tend to have a more delicate metabolism, which can lead to issues such as weight gain and blood sugar imbalances. They may also experience dryness in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels. To support Vata weight management and blood sugar control, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods and to avoid cold, raw, or dry foods. Herbs such as beets, ginger, turmeric, and fenugreek can also be helpful in regulating metabolism and blood sugar levels.

Pitta individuals have a strong metabolism, which can lead to issues such as overheating, irritability, and weight gain. They may also experience heat in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels. To support Pitta weight management and blood sugar control, it is important to consume cooling foods such as neem, cucumbers, melons, and mint. Herbs such as licorice, coriander, and fennel can also be helpful in reducing heat and promoting weight management and blood sugar control.

Kapha individuals tend to have a sluggish metabolism, which can lead to issues such as weight gain, fatigue, and slow digestion. They may also experience dampness in the body, leading to difficulty in maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels. To support Kapha weight management and blood sugar control, it is important to consume light, dry, and warm foods and to avoid heavy, sweet, or cold foods. Herbs such as turmeric, ginger, cumin, and black pepper can also be helpful in stimulating metabolism and reducing fatigue.

Overall, in Ayurveda, maintaining a healthy weight and blood sugar levels is seen as crucial for overall health and well-being. It is important to understand the unique weight management and blood sugar control needs of each dosha, and to make dietary and lifestyle choices that support optimal weight management and blood sugar control. Regular use of herbs can also be beneficial in regulating metabolism and reducing blood sugar imbalances.

Herbal Supplementation

Herbs play a crucial role in Ayurvedic medicine, as they possess unique healing properties that can be used to address a wide range of health issues and bring balance to the doshas. Each dosha has unique needs when it comes to supporting weight management and blood sugar levels, and certain herbs can be more beneficial for each one.

Vata individuals are prone to fluctuating blood sugar levels and may benefit from herbs that help regulate their nervous system and maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Guggul Lean: balances vata and kapha while supporting healthy weight management, thyroid function, and blood sugar stability.
Sugar Destroyer: blocks the ability to taste or absorb the sweet taste forcing the body to burn fat as an alternate source of fuel.
Triphala: supports apana vata or the downward movement of vata for better bowel function, detoxification, and weight management.
Gentle Digest: balances vata in the upper digestion for gas and bloat using ginger, cumin, fennel, cardamom, and coriander.

Pitta individuals are prone to high blood sugar levels and may benefit from cooling herbs that help regulate their internal heat and balance their blood sugar levels.

Neem Boost: a blend of cooling herbs known to support a healthy intestinal lining and gut microbiome while also supporting healthy weight management and blood sugar stability.
Sugar Destroyer: blocks the ability to taste or absorb the sweet taste forcing the body to burn fat as an alternate source of fuel.
Triphala: supports apana vata or the downward movement of vata for better bowel function, detoxification, and weight management.
Manjistha: a blend of natural lymphatic moving herbs that support the natural function of the lymph to detoxify and manage healthy weight.

Kapha individuals often have slow metabolism and may benefit from warming, invigorating herbs that help to stimulate their metabolism and regulate their blood sugar levels.

Sugar Destroyer: blocks the ability to taste or absorb the sweet taste forcing the body to burn fat as an alternate source of fuel.
Guggul Lean: balances vata and kapha while supporting healthy weight management, thyroid function, and blood sugar stability.
Turmeric Plus: supports health weight management, liver function, blood sugar support, and a healthy gut microbiome.
Manjistha: a blend of natural lymphatic moving herbs that supports the natural function of the lymph to detoxify and manage healthy weight.

If you are new to taking Ayurvedic herbs or supplements, we highly recommend downloading this short free ebook to set you out on the right track from the get-go:

Dr John’s Guide to Taking Herbs

Dinacharya (Ayurvedic Daily Routine)

Dinacharya, or daily routine, is an important aspect of Ayurvedic medicine and can greatly support weight management and blood sugar levels. Here are some practices that can help:

Waking up early: Rising early and starting the day with a sense of freshness can help regulate the digestive system, boost metabolism, and control hunger.
Jihwa Prakshalana (tongue scraping): Scraping the tongue can remove bacteria and toxins from the tongue, which can improve digestion and taste, and potentially impact weight and blood sugar levels.
Drinking warm water: Drinking warm water first thing in the morning can help stimulate digestion and flush out toxins, promoting healthy weight management. Option: add juice of ¼ lemon.
Gandusha (oil pulling): In the shower, swish oil around the mouth for 10-15 minutes to support a healthy mouth microbiome and protect against undesirable bacteria and gum issues. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Swish Oil Pulling Therapy.
Nasya (nose oiling) and Karna Purana (ear oiling): In the shower, add a few drops of LifeSpa’s Nasya Oil in the nose and ears. This is an easy way to keep the sinuses, eustachian tube, and cervical lymph lubricated, clear, healthy, and functional.
Abhyanga (self-massage): Applying warm oil to the body while showering or before bathing can calm Vata, fight stress, improve circulation, and metabolism, which can support weight management and stable blood sugar levels. We recommend using LifeSpa’s Tri-doshic Massage Oil or Lymphatic Massage Oil.
Grounding practices: Practicing yoga, pranayama (breathing), meditation, or other forms of exercise in the morning before starting your day can help stimulate digestion, boost metabolism, and improve overall health, which can support weight management and stable blood sugar levels. Practice my One Minute Meditation up to ten times per day to help cope with stress, anxiety and depression.
Eating at regular intervals: Eating at regular intervals can help regulate the digestive system and prevent overeating or undereating, helping to maintain a healthy weight and stable blood sugar levels. Make breakfast and lunch the main meals of the day.
Eating a balanced diet: Eating a diet that is balanced in terms of the six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) can help ensure that all the necessary nutrients are being consumed which promotes proper digestion and thereby healthy weight and stable blood sugar levels.
Avoiding eating late at night: Eating late at night can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms and negatively impact weight and blood sugar levels.
Avoiding eating in front of the TV or computer: Eating while distracted can lead to overeating and poor digestion, affecting weight and blood sugar levels.
Get to bed early: Settle into bed early around 9:30 PM so you are asleep by 10 PM.

In Ayurveda, the daily routine, known as Dinacharya, is considered a crucial aspect for leading a fulfilling life, which is why I created the 28-Day Ayurveda Challenge. Each day in this eCourse, you will learn a new challenge to incorporate into your daily routine that relieves stress, promotes health, and quiets the mind. By the end of the Ayurveda Challenge, you will have effortlessly incorporated a daily routine that lasts for 20-30 minutes, and it will be simple, enjoyable, and impactful. You will soon experience feelings of calmness, focus, and increased energy. This daily routine will not be seen as a chore, but rather a means of reward, as the benefits far outweigh the small time investment.

Nutrition

According to Ayurveda, each dosha has specific dietary needs and practices that support healthy weight management and blood sugar levels.

For Vata dosha individuals, it is important to consume warm, cooked foods that are easy to digest, such as soups and stews. Spicy, cold and dry foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Vata. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee, olive oil and avocado, to help lubricate the digestive tract. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Vata individuals to eat seasonally during the Fall and Winter seasons when Vata individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Vata that can lead to fatigue, weak immunity, and poor sleep.

We recommend downloading our Winter Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Vata during this season. For Vata body types during the winter months, it is especially important they follow these Vata-balancing dietary rules:

Reduce foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a cold, dry, and light quality.
Increase foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have a heavy, oily, and hot quality.

For Pitta dosha individuals, it is important to consume cooling foods such as fruits and vegetables. Spicy and sour foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Pitta. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in healthy fats, such as cultured ghee, coconut oil and flaxseeds, to help cool the digestive fire. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Pitta individuals to eat seasonally during the Summer when Pitta individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Pitta that can lead to indigestion, irritability, and skin concerns.

We recommend downloading our Summer Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Pitta during this season. For Pitta body types during the summer months, it is especially important they follow these Pitta-balancing dietary rules:

Reduce foods that are pungent, sour, and salty or have hot, dry, and light quality.
Increase foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent or have a heavy, oily, and cold quality.

For Kapha dosha individuals, it is important to consume warm, light and dry foods such as salads and steamed vegetables. Heavy and oily foods should be avoided, as they can aggravate Kapha. It is also beneficial to include foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, to help keep the digestive tract moving. It is recommended to eat at regular times and to chew food well. Although it is important for everyone to eat seasonally all the time, it is especially important for Kapha individuals to eat seasonally during the Spring when Kapha individuals are at greater risk of accumulating an excess of Kapha that can lead to fatigue, sadness, congestion, and heaviness.

We recommend downloading our Spring Grocery List for examples of what to eat as a Kapha during this season. For Kapha body types during the spring months, it is especially important they follow these Kapha-balancing dietary rules:

Reduce foods that are sweet, sour, and salty or have heavy, oily, and cold quality.
Increase foods that are pungent, bitter, and astringent or have a light, dry, and hot quality.

It is important to note that these are general recommendations and it is always best to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner to determine the best dietary plan for your individual needs.

As humans have advanced, we have grown more and more disconnected from the natural cycles and circadian rhythms which leaves many of us scratching our heads when we’re asked to eat seasonally. To help us reconnect with these rhythms, I created a free program that delivers seasonal guidance and recipes every month directly to your inbox. I call it the 3 Season Diet Guide, I highly encourage you to check it out. New research suggests that our gut microbes are meant to change seasonally with the foods we eat. Seasonal microbes optimize digestion, mood, and immunity, the way nature intended!

Cleansing

Cleansing plays a crucial role in Ayurveda as it is aimed at purifying the body and restoring balance to its natural systems. At times, the imbalances in our doshas can become so severe that regular dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle practices are not sufficient to bring us back into balance. In such cases, a more comprehensive detoxification program, known as a cleanse, may be necessary. Cleansing can correct doshic imbalances that are negatively affecting our physical and emotional health, thereby enhancing our overall well-being. These cleanses can be performed seasonally, in Spring and Fall, or as needed to support the body’s natural cleansing processes. LifeSpa offers a wide variety of cleansing options to fit your unique needs, discover the perfect cleanse for you here.