Vriddhavastha is a term used by Ayurveda to describe the last phase of a person’s life (old age), which is characterized by degenerative changes. Vriddhavastha or Jirnavastha (old age) is the period after 60 or 70 years as per Charaka and Sushruta Samhita. This stage is marked by physical degradation, Dhatu (a variety of anatomical tissues), Indriya (sensory and motor organs) perceptual power, potency, strength, speech, and a variety of mental and cognitive activities (e.g., memory, intellect, reception, retention, analytic ability, etc.). During this time, Vata Dosha holds the upper hand (one of the three physiological body factors). Wrinkling of the skin, greying of the hair, baldness, and a decreased capacity to conduct strenuous work are the most noticeable physical changes that may happen in old age.
Geriatrics is a branch of medicine that deals with elderly people, particularly in terms of health care. To become old is the natural process of the living organism. The growing global population of the elderly (those aged 65 and up), which will account for one-fifth of the global population by 2050, has led to the development of a new specialty of medicine known as geriatrics.
In old age, Ayurveda offers the ability to prevent diseases, premature aging, and disease management through preventative, personalized, and therapeutic techniques. The Ayurveda, perspective of geriatric care is a unique approach to slowing down the aging process and reducing the severity of problems that arise during this stage of life. The present review focused on Ayurvedic understanding of geriatrics, role of ayurveda in geriatric nutrition, its prevention and management.
In old age, Ayurveda offers the ability to prevent diseases, premature aging, and disease management through preventative, personalized, and therapeutic techniques. The Ayurveda, perspective of geriatric care is a unique approach to slowing down the aging process and reducing the severity of problems that arise during this stage of life. The present review focused on Ayurvedic understanding of geriatrics, role of ayurveda in geriatric nutrition, its prevention and management.
Aging can be slowed down by:
- By include practices like Anjana (eye care), Abhayanga (body massage), particularly Shiro-Abhayanga (head massage), Nasya (oily nasal drops), Sneha-Gandusha (mouth oil retention), foot and external orifice cleansing, exercise, etc. in your daily routine that adhere to the principles of Dincharya (daily regimen).
- Seasonal changes bring about changes and they may be prevented by adopting a seasonal regimen called Ritucharya. The diet and lifestyle modifications as per seasonal prevent various avoidable diseases and maintain the equilibrium of dosha essential of the natural aging process.
- Following the principles and concepts of Swasthavritta like healthy sleep, healthy diet and healthy sexual life cumulative called Tryopastambha.
- Taking a diet strictly following the prescribed rules.
- If an illness persists or appears, seek treatment as soon as possible.
So overall, Diet and lifestyle have a huge impact on the aging process.
Role of Nutrition in Geriatrics:
Ayurveda elaborated the concept of sharira vridhikar bhava called as four factors essential for the body’s growth and development. These four factors are: Kala (time), Swabhava (nature), diet (healthy and balanced food), and the absence of harmful and obstructive factors. Diet is one of the most important of these because it nourishes Dhatu and is responsible for its compactness, strength, and production of an ideal form of Dhatu. There is vitiation of Tridosha when the diet is defective in terms of Gramya-Ahara (a deficient and unplanned diet) and when the norms governing nutrition and lifestyle are not followed, which leads to different progressive pathological changes10. These pathological changes include loss of muscle compactness, joint looseness, vitiation of Rakta (blood), excessive production of Meda (fatty tissue), failure of Majja (marrow) accumulation in bones, failure of Shukra (semen), and loss of Oja (vital factor), all of which accelerate the process of premature aging. When all the rules of a healthy and planned diet are not followed in old ages, making the person susceptible to various diseases in terms of communicable and noncommunicable and preventing him/her from living out his/her full lifespan.
Ayurvedic Dietetics in Geriatrics:
The nutritional requirements of the elderly differ from those of adults. People become more vulnerable to nutritional deficiency as they get older due to a variety of unavoidable factors such as anorexia, medication for various age-related disorders, dementia, depression, poor dentition, delayed gastric emptying, swallowing disorders, and decreased taste and smell sensation. In comparison to adults, older persons have a slower response to thirst. As a result, fluid intake is required to restore physiological losses, improve digestion, intestinal function, and renal clearance. In old age, vitamin D and calcium absorption are decreased, resulting in insufficiency. The elderly are more likely to suffer from folic acid insufficiency.
Ayurvedic Dietetics in Geriatrics:
The nutritional requirements of the elderly differ from those of adults. People become more vulnerable to nutritional deficiency as they get older due to a variety of unavoidable factors such as anorexia, medication for various age-related disorders, dementia, depression, poor dentition, delayed gastric emptying, swallowing disorders, and decreased taste and smell sensation. In comparison to adults, older persons have a slower response to thirst. As a result, fluid intake is required to restore physiological losses, improve digestion, intestinal function, and renal clearance. In old age, vitamin D and calcium absorption are decreased, resulting in insufficiency. The elderly are more likely to suffer from folic acid insufficiency.
The elderly’s food should be customized to their environment, season, and age, among other factors. The diet should be wellbalanced, and the amount consumed should be appropriate for the individual’s digestive ability. When creating a nutritional regimen for the elderly, the following considerations should be kept in mind:
- Diet should be warm, fresh, tasty, nutritious, and oily, according to the ahara vidhi vidhana rule.
- Foods that are very spicy, salty, or pungent should be avoided because they aggravate vata.
- The dish should not be served excessively cold.
- More liquid should be consumed regularly and as needed.
- At night, heavy foods should be avoided. Two or three hours before bedtime is the ideal time for a night meal. It is preferable to advise a short walk after dinner.
- While eating, the mind should be peaceful.
- Eat when you feel Hungry, not eat without that.
- Dairy products, legumes, nuts, eggs, and other calcium and vitamin D-rich foods must be included in the diet.
- Calcium supplements may also be provided in the form of herbal-mineral formulations such as Praval Pishti, Pravala Panchamarita, Kukkutandatwaka Bhasma, Sankha Bhasama, and Kaparda Bhasama.
- Provide a diet rich in beans, grains, veggies, and fruits.
- Vegetable soup and fruit juice daily are added to the diet.
- For Dhatu Poshana, Jivantishaka, Punarnava Shaka, Shatavari, and Shringataka Kanda can be included in the diet. Varahi Kanda, Kharjura, Akshota, Mrdvika, and other nutritious herbs can be added.
- Diet should be converted into suitable dietary nutritive forms like Lehya for convenient administration in old age.
- In old age, Vaya Sthapana Mahakashya can be used as a nutraceutical.
- Virudhahara should be avoided.
- In healthy elderly people, milk and ghee are recommended.
- Easily digestible sattvika diet for old age people should be included in the diet.
Conclusion
Ayurveda views aging as a normal and unavoidable process that may be managed with time-tested remedies. Healthy aging, then incorporating healthy lifestyle behaviors and routines that promote excellent health and well-being. Ayurvedic principles of Nutrition and Diet must be followed for the maintenance of hemostasis of Dosha and Dhatu Samyta in old age individuals. Ayurveda through its unique holistic approach plays a magnificent role in providing proper nutrition in the geriatric population and helping them to cope with the disorders due to age.
