Ayurgenomics- Tailoring your informationfor personalized medicine

K. Dinesh Kumar, DAAD Research fellow,Institute of DevelopmentalGenetics,Helmholtz Zentrum, Munchen

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Sanskrit and the treasures of Knowledge of Ancient IndiaWhatever sphere of human mind you may select for your special study, whether it be language, or religion, or mythology or philosophy, whether it be laws or customs, primitive art or primitive science, every where you have to go to India. Whether you like it or not because some of the most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India and in India onlyMax Muller(ref: A short History of Sanskrit Literature)T. K. Ramachandra Iyer, R.S. Vadhyar& sons, 1984

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Introduction to Ayurveda

Comprehensive system that places equal emphasis on the body, mind and spirit, and it strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual

Ayurveda is the combination of two Sanskrit words ayu meaning long life ved meaning knowledge Knowledge or science of life

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Body- Mind Approach

Mind and body were integrally considered in ayurveda.

Diseases of mind were linked to the body and vice versa

Aushadhi or Medicines were identified for the wellness of the body

Mantras were identified for the wellness of the Mind.

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Mantras for the mind

Mantra is defined in Sanskrit as ManahTrayate iti or that which protects the mind

Repetition of mantras is known to release tension and reduce anxiety, hypertension etc and is followed in many Indian households.

Sanskrit language is called the language of Mantras where every alphabet is itself a Mantra.

Aum is called the First Mantra or Pranava.

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Tridosha Theory

Three energies/doshasPitta digestion, metabolism, emotionsKapha lubrication, structure, synthesisVata movement, physical and mental function,

degeneration

Individualized combination/ratio of the three doshas

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The Ayurvedic approach

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Doshas Chart8

DOSHAS = BODY TYPES

Energetic forces that influence nature & human beings = Tridoshas

Each person is unique and individually made up of different portions of the five primary elements: ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth

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o Light body weighto Talk & walk quicklyo Creative and imaginative

o Anxietyo Irregular schedule &

appetiteo Gas, bloating &

constipationo Dry skin

o Colon disorders including constipation

o Dryness including dry skino Underweighto Arthritiso Nervous system disorders,

worry, anxiety and stress.o And many others...

o Go to bed before 10pmo Increase bitter, astringent or

sweet taste.o Avoid heat, intensity &

overexertion.o Take time off to enjoy lifeo Take a break from mental activityo Avoid self-criticism, criticism of

others

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o Sharp, intelligent mindo Bright, colourful eyeso Rosy cheeks

o Judgmental, Criticalo Ambitious, Workaholico Yellow or Red Eyeso Body Odour, Acid Refluxo Hair Loss

o Ulcer or acid refluxo Bleeds or bruises easilyo Near sighted, sensitive to light,

migraineso Judgemental, criticalo Any inflammation or sharp pain.o High Blood Pressure

o Go to bed before 10pmo Increase bitter, astringent or

sweet taste.o Avoid heat, intensity &

overexertion.o Take time off to enjoy lifeo Take a break from mental activityo Avoid self-criticism, criticism of

others

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o Heavier, likes comfort and food.

o Steady, calm, healthy, strongo Sweet, loving, kind, loyal,

supportive

o Lack of motivation, bored, tired

o Slow to change, difficulty learning but good memory

o Food cravings, possessive

o Overweight, diabetes, enema

o High cholesterol, blood pressure

o Depressiono Congestion, colds, heavy

Fever

o Wake up early & exerciseo Avoid meat, wheat and dairy

after sundowno Avoid salty & sweet tasteo Avoid fatty, fried foods

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Knowing your Dosha Taking a questionnaire based simple

test will help you determine whether youre considered a vata, kapha, or pitta. This will help you take steps on your own to bring balance back to the body and mind by cooking the right foods for your dosha, doing the right exercises, and calming the mind through meditation.

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Dosha sample test questions Body Frame

A. Thin and slender, petiteB. Medium build and good muscle toneC. Large, stocky, broad

WeightA. Low body weight with a tendency to lose weight easily or forget to eatB. Average weight with the ability to gain or lose weight easilyC. Heavier body weight, with difficulty losing weight and finding it easy to gain weight

HairA. Dry, frizzy, brittleB. Fine hair that tends to gray or thin easilyC. A lot of hair thats thick and oily

ComplexionA. Dry, thin, roughB. Reddish complexion, easily irritated, sensitiveC. Smooth, moisturized, thick

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EyesA. Active eyes that are small in sizeB. Intense eyes and gazeC. Large eyes that are soft and pleasant

JointsA. Pop or crack easily, thin, noticeableB. Flexible, looseC. Large in size and padded

TemperatureA. Cold feet and hands and a preference towards warm weatherB. Warm body temperature, with a preference for cooler weatherC. Adaptable, but with an avoidance of wet, cold weather

TemperamentA. Enthusiastic, welcoming of changeB. Intense with a lot of purpose and driveC. Easy-going and supportive

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SleepA. Light sleeperB. Sound sleeper without requiring a lot of sleepC. Deep sleeper who needs a lot of sleep

Under StressA. Anxiety and nervousness build up easilyB. Aggressive, easy to anger, argumentativeC. Withdrawing and not wanting to deal with it

Keep in mind that this is a basic quiz and there are more detailed tests Ayurvedicspecialists use, as well as other methods they employ in order to determine what doshas are out of balance. For example, they may look into your eyes to see how white or red they are, examine the tongue for colour and texture, and feel your pulse.

Beyond these physical characteristics, your dosha will also affect your mind and emotions, so an Ayurvedic doctor would also ask you about stress in your life and how you deal with it, what your childhood was like, what your job is like, and other questions that can help you figure out whats imbalanced.

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Calculating Your Results

If you answered mostly A, you have a predominance of

If you answered mostly B, youre a

If you answered mostly C, youre a

Vata

Pitta

Kapha

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Ayurgenomics, tailoring ur information. Towards personalized medicine

Combining Ayurveda and genomics Looking for variations in your genetic material (DNA) that is specific for each body type, which would be a key to identify susceptibility for particular diseases.

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Treating Your Dosha

Vata To balance vata, stick to a routine of waking and sleeping at the same time every day. Meditate, practice yoga, and indulge in relaxing fragrances. Stick with sweet, salty, and sour foods, making sure to eat three meals a day. Drink relaxing herbal teas. Enjoy a daily relaxing massage.

Pitta - If pitta is imbalanced, take time to retreat to nature and spend more time outside. Meditate and make sure you spend quiet time each day to yourself just to relax and recharge. Stick with foods that are bitter, astringent, and sweet that help cool your body. Choose soothing fragrances, indulge in relaxing massages, and drink herbal teas. Surround yourself in cool colors, such as white, green, and blue.

Kapha - Kaphas should wake up very early in the day and look for opportunities to change and let go of what no longer serves them. Bitter, astringent, and pungent foods should be consumed only when hungry. A clean environment and exercise are necessary. A kapha should also stick with invigorating fragrances and herbal teas, as well as colors that inspire passion and spontaneity, such as red, yellow, and orange. And, like the other doshas, meditation and massage are also healing.

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