AHARA AND VIHARA IN HEALTH PROMOTION & DISEASE PREVENTION

IMPORTANCE OF AHARA AND VIHARA AS THE HEALTH PROMOTIVE AND DISEASE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Ahara (diet) and Vihara (lifestyle/conduct) are the two pillars of Swasthavritta.

• Ayurveda places emphasis on daily routines, dietary regulations, seasonal regimens, and conduct to maintain health and prevent diseases.

• Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 25/40 states:

  आहारश्च हि प्राणिनां प्राणः।

  (Ahara is the very life of all living beings.)

• Improper ahara and vihara are primary causative factors (nidanas) for diseases, while proper regulation helps in health promotion and prevention.

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON AHARA (DIET) AS A HEALTH PROMOTIVE & DISEASE PREVENTIVE TOOL

• Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 28/45 states:

  हिताहितं सुखं दुःखमायुस्तस्य हितााहितम्।
  मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तमाहारः स उच्यते॥

  (Food is responsible for health, happiness, sorrow, and lifespan.)

IMPORTANCE OF AHARA:

• Nourishes dhatus and supports ojas (vital essence).

• Maintains dosha balance by selecting appropriate rasa, guna, virya, vipaka.

• Strengthens agni and prevents ama formation.

• Supports mental well-being through satvika ahara.

• Important in disease-specific pathya-apathya (dietary discipline).

HEALTH PROMOTIVE ROLES OF AHARA:

• Rasayana aharas like milk, ghee, amalaki – rejuvenate tissues.

• Sattvic foods promote clarity, memory, longevity.

• Pathya aharas prevent recurrence in chronic disorders.

• Enhances vyadhi kshamatva (immunity).

DISEASE PREVENTIVE ROLES OF AHARA:

• Prevents agni dushti, dosha prakopa.

• Minimizes metabolic and lifestyle disorders when ahara vidhi vidhanas are followed.

• Daily intake of trikatu, haritaki, ginger in moderation boosts digestion and disease resistance.

AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE ON VIHARA (LIFESTYLE) AS A HEALTH PROMOTIVE & DISEASE PREVENTIVE TOOL

• Vihara includes daily regimen (dinacharya), seasonal regimen (ritucharya), sadvritta (ethical conduct), vayavihara (sexual discipline) and mental hygiene.

• Ashtanga Hridaya Sutrasthana 2/1 states:

  नित्यं हिताहितं चेष्टं देशकालौ च यो विदित्।
  आत्मेन्द्रियार्थं बुद्ध्यैव स सर्वमविसंहितम्॥

HEALTH PROMOTIVE ASPECTS OF VIHARA:

• Dinacharya helps maintain circadian rhythm and dosha balance.

• Abhyanga, nasya, vyayama – enhance strength and delay aging.

• Ritucharya prevents seasonal illnesses (like kapha disorders in Vasanta).

• Sadvritta supports psychological health and social harmony.

• Proper sleep (nidra yoga) ensures mental rejuvenation.

DISEASE PREVENTIVE ASPECTS OF VIHARA:

• Prevents lifestyle disorders such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension.

• Helps avoid mental disorders through emotional regulation and ethical behaviour.

• Protects from seasonal ailments and infections.

• Promotes discipline and restraint, reducing excessive indulgence – a major cause of disease in Ayurveda.

MODERN PERSPECTIVE (PARK’S COMMUNITY MEDICINE)

IMPORTANCE OF DIET (AHARA) IN MODERN MEDICINE:

• Balanced diet maintains:

  • Body weight and energy balance

  • Micronutrient adequacy (iron, vitamin A, D, B12)

  • Prevention of non-communicable diseases like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders

• Health promotion programs include:

  • Midday meal schemes

  • Dietary guidelines by ICMR

  • Fortification initiatives

IMPORTANCE OF LIFESTYLE (VIHARA) IN MODERN MEDICINE:

• Healthy lifestyle reduces disease burden:

  • Regular physical activity

  • Sleep hygiene

  • Mental health through stress management

• WHO promotes Health Promotion Model which includes:

  • Healthy diet

  • Physical activity

  • Avoidance of smoking, alcohol

  • Hygiene and sanitation

• Part of Primordial and Primary prevention in Public Health\