The short answer is yes; and it is a complex question with a more nuanced answer. If you’re considering it, the following article provides a review of this very layered (pun intended!) practice as well as how to sniff out potential scams.
First Things First – What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a method of healing that originated in India over 5,000 years ago.
The central theme is balance, working towards re-balancing when things are off. This is done through lifestyle changes, nutrition (such as specific food pairings), breathing techniques, and supplementation, to name a few.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the term Ayurveda literally means “knowledge of life. It encompasses the physical, psychological, spiritual, social and subtle dimensions of life, and the dynamic concepts of well-being, promotion of health, and prevention and management of diseases.”
Treatment is tailored to each person’s specific needs, taking into account both internal and external factors.
Who practices Ayurveda?
It is the predominant traditional medicine system in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Trained and licensed practitioners undertake clinical practice and research, but the exact qualifications and study are different in each country. Typically, it’s about a five year undergraduate (or similar to undergraduate) program.
At this time, there is no licensing process in the United States, though some universities offer courses on the fundamentals of Ayurveda. Its rich history and cultural impact is important to recognize, and there is value (most especially for health practitioners) in learning more about Ayurveda when working with people who come from all over the world.
Why have we heard so much about “food layering” and ayurvedic supplements recently?
Ayurveda is complicated and depends on many different factors. Arguably the most well known factors are the different life forces, or doshas, called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which impact an individual’s treatment plan. And while I’m not an expert in Ayurveda, I know enough to know that it is too nuanced and complicated to cover all of the details in a relatively short article.
Bits and pieces of Ayurvedic practice, however, have been finding their way into mainstream media, and it’s these tidbits that have become such a hot topic. So while not new (clearly), the idea of an Ayurvedic “diet” feels fresh and interesting, and it captures the attention of a Western audience.
Food layering is one of these tidbits. The concept is that certain foods should be eaten on their own (like fruit), and that certain foods shouldn’t be eaten together (like beans and meat or eggs and cheese). By layering food intake in a certain way, it is supposed to help with bloating, indigestion, and all sorts of stomach discomfort.
Diet changes should not be in a silo
These dietary modifications are specifically related to the doshas as well as a wide variety of other unique factors for each individual. They are not intended to be tacked onto the standard American diet. In fact, both Western and Ayruvedic medicine have this in common. Diet is simply one component of treatment.
For example, in Western medicine, if you have diabetes, you would see a physician who may prescribe regular blood work, a glucometer, dietary modifications, and medication. In Ayurvedic medicine, two people may have diabetes, but their treatment (including diet, supplements, lifestyle, exercise, mind therapy) will differ depending on their doshas and other factors.
In both schools of thought, one adjustment, like diet, is unlikely to fix the problem (at least a significant one) without a more comprehensive plan.
Does this sound familiar?
I am aware that I sound like a broken record, but it’s worth repeating that diets get cherry-picked and co-opted. All. The. Time. For example, the ketogenic diet was originally developed as a treatment for pediatric epilepsy. It is extremely high in fat (about 90% of food on this diet is fat) and low carb, which produces a state of ketosis and deprivation that, miraculously, can prevent seizures in kids.
Because weight loss was a side effect, the ketogenic diet became popularized as a weight loss diet, with no connection to pediatric epilepsy. Half the food section at the bookstore seemed to include titles like “healthy eating on keto” or “how to be your best self on keto” or something of that nature. This is an age-old pattern of plucking out some valid nutrition information and then applying it out of context.
So back to the original question…yes, Ayurveda is legit, but taking it out of context and Americanizing it isn’t.
Are there risks to giving it a try?
Yes there are…
- There is no standard of practice or qualified practitioners who are trained in the United States (per the WHO website) to treat people in the United States. So, it’s important to consider who will be the practitioner leading you through this nuanced, complicated, and very individualized Ayurvedic treatment.
- Ayruveda “diets” comes with lots of rules which may be a non-starter for many people. It’s hard to remember all of them, and unclear if you need all of them, or if you can try a few at a time－like an a la carte menu－without other Ayurvedic treatments. This can also be triggering for those who are trying to stay away from strict dietary thought or who have history of disordered eating.
- Ayurveda is incompatible with other dietary recommendations you may be familiar with. For example, the Ayurvedic “diet” may mandate that fruits need to be eaten alone. Yet, this is what Western medicine tells us not to do because it will spike glucose and not keep you full for very long. Or, you may learn that you shouldn’t eat beans with tofu. But that combination is a great way to maintain adequate protein intake on a vegan diet! Or, your energy may indicate you would need to avoid seeds and nuts, but this may be your go-to source of fiber.
- Supplements, a large part of what’s being sold under Ayurvedic “diet,” are not without risk. Each individual has unique nutritional needs, so there is no one specific supplement I would recommend to everyone. If someone does recommend a supplement to a whole group of people at once, that’s a red flag. And if they are selling something on the spot….run!
Key Takeaways
- Ayurvedic medicine is a method of healing dating back to India thousands of years ago. There are rigorous training programs to become licensed in Ayurvedic practice in some countries, but the United States is not one of them.
- Ayurveda is a complicated, and highly individualized. It encompasses the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social in the promotion of health, and prevention and management of diseases.
- The Ayurvedic “diet” has been co-opted by American culture, including social media influencers, promoting bits and pieces of Ayurvedic nutrition practices (such as food layering) independent of the rest of Ayurvedic philosophy.
- Ayurveda is not without risk, especially in the United States where there are no current licensing programs acknowledged by WHO.
Do you have any experience with, or any questions regarding Ayurveda? If so, please leave a comment below. And if you’re interested in personal nutrition counseling, read more about how you can connect with me one-on-one!
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