Brief Answer:
Review on Adaptogens [Rejuvenators]

Detailed Answer:
Dear
Thanks for contacting Ayurveda with your health concern and following points need clarification for better understanding and management:

1. Since you have mentioned 'orlistat' which is a fat reducing drug thus do let me know about your weight?

2. Your lifestyle [sedentary] or any under active disorder, chiefly thyroid profile and high blood sugar?

3. are you presently taking 'orlistat' and want to shift to adaptogen herbs Or you want to initiate therapy?

4. Since the general principle of any 'adaptogen' is to reduce STRESS [either physical or mental] and to provide IMMUNOMODULATION property thus going by your case history of: 'herbs to boost metabolism' as such herbs which have more promising adaptogen effect on physical [METABOLISM] is/are:
. Amalaki [emblica officinalis]]
. Ashwagagandha [withania somnifera]
. Guduchi [Tinospora cordifolia]
. Haritki [ Terminalia chebula]
. Shatavri [Asparagus racemosus]
. Tulsi [Ocimum sanctum]

5. Regarding your query : how does increasing metabolism work with reducing weight following is the step wise approach:

DIETARY AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES
1. There is a limit to how much one can exercise every day. An average (non athlete) person cannot run or exercise vigorously for more than 30 minutes i.e. you cannot burn more than 300 calories through EXERCISE everyday! So it is important to control the tongue, along with whatever exercise you do:
½ hour of walking burn 130 calories
½ hour of jogging/running burn 300-350 calories
½ hour of swimming burn 250 calories
½ hour of cycling burn 150 calories
½ hour of aerobic exercise burn 250 calories
½ hour of light exercise like writing/driving burn 50 calories
i.e. if you don’t exercise you consume about 2000-2500 calories per day. To this you Add any of the above exercise protocol to consume more calories, and keep your calorie consumption below 2000 per day and you will be losing weight

2. Tips on Eating: Starvation is not the right way to loose weight. Take the right type of diet and eat heartily:

AVOID:
.sedentary lifestyle, day time sleeping after meals, newly harvested rice, curd, butter, ghee, cheese, cream, chocolates, cakes, pastries, ice-creams, XXXXXXX
. oils should be reduced to minimum, avoid deep fried foods like puries,bhujees, potato chips.
.avoid potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, yam, nuts, fruits with sweet pulp like XXXXXXX chickoos, bananas and grapes.
. Avoid processed and tinned foods, opt for fresh foods
. Drinking cold water after exercise.
. Eliminate all cold food and drink; you should eat nothing that is refrigerator cold.

WHAT TO EAT:
.start the meal with large bowl of thin soup, followed by good volume of salads prepared with green vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, cucumber, sprouted pulses). This will prevent you from taking extra servings of the meals. Drink plenty of water and diluted buttermilk.
.Avoid rice, take roti or phulka,without oil or ghee.The bhaji servings should be prepared from green leafy vegetables,onions,cauliflower’s,lady’s finger,radish, turnips, mushrooms, sprouted pulses. Oil may be substituted by gravy of tomato, onion, garlic, and ginger, in the curry or bhaji for taste.
. For morning and evening snacks, take recommended fruits, vegetables and low fat (skimmed) milk, black tea without sugar has negligible calories.
. Carbohydrates: fat requires carbohydrates to burn, so take them in moderation like grains.

2. DEVELOP HEALTHY EATING HABITS:
. Do not eat only 2 large meals a day. It leads to overeating due to hunger. Take snacks in between. It is advisable to eat a good breakfast and light lunch and dinner.
. Keep a quiet and pleasant atmosphere in the dining hall. Watching TV while eating, talking, arguments, angry discussions all lead to overeating g.
. Eat slowly; chewing each bite thoroughly gives a feeling of satiation.
. Do not be tempted to finish up the leftovers.
. Use nonstick cooking ware for cooking



P.S.:
1. Ayurveda though is a slower process, but in case of weight loss: haste makes waste, so one has to be gradual in his approach.

Dr. Munish Sood
Consultant & Physician
Naimittika

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