Ayurveda dietary guidelines during Covid-19 Pandemic

Ishwari Gaikwad1, Priyanka Shelotkar*2 1Department of Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved college, Hospital & Research Centre, Salod (H), Wardha, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DU), Wardha 442001, Maharashtra, India 2Department of Kaumarbhritya, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved college, Hospital & Research Centre, Salod (H), Wardha, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences (DU), Wardha-442001, Maharashtra, India


INTRODUCTION
Diet is a fundamental part of our life. The values of nutrition in respect to health are very inimitable in Ayurveda as compared to biomedicine and modern nutrition. The concept of diet explained well, ranging from their usual sources, properties and detailed usefulness in pathological as well as physiological manner. However, varieties of systems have been developed and are advancing on these concepts. So, trans-disciplinary researches on food and health sciences are proved to be very signi icant. It also presents practical solutions for current health circumstances during pandemics such as Covid-19. This article reviews the concept of diet viz. combination of foods, their quantity and quality, methods of preparation and processing, which are to be followed during pandemics and are essential in maintenance and endorsement of health and preclusion of diseases (Matrashiteeya . Pathyapathya (Health-promoting regime) is a prime aspect of Ayurveda therapeutics. Food is an essential requirement in life. Following dietary concepts based on Ayurveda principles would not only help in health promotion and prevention of diseases but also in their management.
There are three indispensable pillars of life have explained namely Ahara, Nidra (Sleep) and Bramhacharya (Regulated sexual life). This shows the signi icance of Ahara in our life (Tistraishaniya Adhyaya, 2020). Here the classi ication of food articles mainly depends on their qualities, taste, therapeutic safety measures etc. included in it. Incompatibilities of food based on their lavors, dispensation, dosage, place, prescriptions of intake, time, food qualities and the nature of food that is being eaten are stated. Principalcategorization of food is based on its suitability to the body and mental constitution based on the ive elements and the Three Doshas theories (Caraka Samhita, 2020; Deshpande and Parwe, 2020).

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ayurveda classics, electronic databases, research articles were searched to collect the concept of diet and nutrition viz. combination of foods, their quantity and quality, methods of preparation and processing, which are to be followed during pandemics and are essential in maintenance and endorsement of health and preclusion of diseases.

OBSERVATION
Every human being is unique with respect to his Prakriti, Agni, Koshtha etc. Hence, while thinking about diet, one should keep in mind about speciicity to the individual. Ahara, when consumed in the appropriate amount at suitable instance following all Niyamas contribute health. To regulate the traditional herbal medicine; efforts in various ields are underway. Diet should be consumed according to Prakriti (A woman reading, 2018)( Figure 1).
Ayurveda principles, such as Prakriti, Dosha (Humor of body) , and Agni are being understood in recent times, using contemporary technical tools. These efforts in the ield of research have helped de inite associate concepts of Ayurveda with current biomedical parameters. Still, the holism of Ayurveda has not been captured. The holistic knowledge of Ayurveda was either a dissimilar system adopted to recognize holism or was brought together by putting together data and information expanded over a period of time (like done in Systems Biology approach). Understanding these holistic val-ues, such as the ive fundamental elements and the three bio-effector concepts (three humors or Tridoshas), of Ayurveda can be a complex one using the same methods we have been using lately (Payyappallimana and Venkatasubramanian, 2016).
Efforts are being made to expand newer methodologies for such research focusing on the nutritional dynamics as the foundation of the immunomodulatory outcome of a Rasayana(Rejuvenation) drug. These herbal Rasayana drugs, which are extensively accessible in our country, have a broad range for an appliance in the normal population for the improvement of their immunity, i.e., Yuktikrita Bala (Acquired immunity) and avoidance of a variety of infectious and contagious diseases, and also as an accessory in the treatment in the immunocompromised diseases. However, the existing method of modern science biology can be engaged in a relation with Ayurveda than usual biomedicine. This is a tough job and would necessitate a thorough knowledge of Ayurveda. Ayurveda's importance on the function of Doshas and their disproportion as the major contributing feature of the diseases suppose signi icance on the fact that simple existence of causative organisms does not inevitably consequence in the appearance of the disease. The perception of Oja (Vitality) and Bala (Immunity) of the natural immunological potential together withSahajabala (Innate immunity) and Yuktikrita Bala (Acquired immunity) playing a key position in the health and disease have to be understood and esteemed by the modern immunologists (Payyappallimana and Venkatasubramanian, 2016) (Figure 2).

DISCUSSION
The intonation of immune reaction by means of Ayurveda herbal drugs as a potential curative assess has, at present turned out to be a topic of methodical analysis. The chief motive for the ever-increasing inclination of health in the present situation is inappropriate dietary habits, for example, Eating of frozen food articles, junk food, packed food, processed food etc.; plays a vital role in here.

Basic Concepts of Nutrition in Ayurveda
The human body elements like -Dosha , Dhatu (Tissue) and Mala (Excretory part) are originated by the nutrition that we consume. Therefore, it is of utmost importance (Matrashiteeya Adhyaya, 2020). It is very rightly believed that 'we are what we eat'. Food is crucial for our mind as well. Ayurveda texts clearly state that it gets separated into three parts. The lesh is made out of the gross part and the mind is nourished by a subtle part. Similarly, water also is

Quality of food
Food plays a crucial role in health and diseases. The role of food on behavior is well-known. Good quality of food helps the mind be healthy and work ef iciently. Ayurveda food habits help in assisting the function of gut more effectively to regularize absorption, assimilation and elimination, as well as the strengthening of immune systems.

Uttam Annapan (Advantages of wholesome food)
It is the diet that helps live a willfully holy and hearty living. It sustains it in a passive condition and nurtures the body. This is the inest food for the longevity of life, material power, a good mind and excellent health. It calms and puri ies the mind, making it work more pro iciently. A suitable diet thus results in good health, a peaceful mind with a fair stream of power amid them. It helps those who wish to live a peaceful, quiet and meditative life (Annapanavidhi Adhyaya, 2020). It includes fresh fruit, legumes, honey, milk, whole grains, nut, seed, seed oil and herbal teas.

ShadrasiyaAhara (Six Types of Taste)
Ahara comprising of all the Six Rasas, i.e. Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour/acidic), Lavana (salty), Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), and Kashaya (astringent) must be consumed (Atreyabhadrakapyiya . The consumption of food should be started by Madhura Rasa irst (Atreyabhadrakapyiya Adhyaya (Caraka Samhita), 2020). All these Six Rasas helps in the proper nourishment and growth of the body. This also helps the body not only to develop immunity and combat diseases but also steer clear of dreadful diseases of the current era like COVID-19.

Quantity of food
For maintenance of health, the appropriate amount and ine quality food should be consumed. The amount of food to be consumed again depends on the power of digestion (Matrashiteeya Adhyaya (Charak Samhita), 2020). The control of digestion and metabolism varies with respect to seasons and the age of the person (Tasyashiteeya . Consumption of foods that are heavy to digest should be half of the actual urge of hunger. Whereas light foods also should not be consumed till full (Matrashiteeya Adhyaya (Caraka Samhita), 2020).

Food for mind
According to Ayurveda classics, diet affects our mind as per its composition and qualities. There are three types, A) Satvik diet -It is an ideal one, contains vegetarian food articles which are non-oily and nonspicy. B) Rajasik diet -It stimulates the mind, contains salty, sour, too spicy, hot food articles. C) Tamasik diet -It creates lethargy, contains heavy and too oily food articles (Banamali, 2014).

CONCLUSION
Every human being is unique with respect to his Prakriti, Agni, Koshtha etc. The main and crucial necessity in life is food, and superior health can be managed by following a suitable diet. Incorrect consumption patterns and cooking methods generate most of the health problems. To maintain the body's integrity, physical and immunological strength for life, a suitable, the inest and expert use of these triads is essential. One can survive pandemics like COVID-19 by maintaining a healthy and proper diet and by following the dietary rules.