Vitamin D seems to be the new go-to vitamin, helping anything from depression, skin conditions and low back pain to significantly reducing your cancer risk. But is it worth it to get it the “natural” way?

Our bodies produce vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. With all the fears of skin cancer about, and recent studies saying we are not able to produce vitamin D through sunblock, how can we get this glorious nutrient? Well, the average time it takes to get adequate amounts of vitamin D is about 20 minutes per day. Scientists and physicians are agreeing that the sun’s benefits greatly outweigh the risks. So, are we increasing our risk of skin cancer by getting 20 minutes of unfiltered sun per day? Well, that depends on your other risk factors:

Have you had bad sunburns in your youth?
Are you fair-skinned?
Has anyone in your family, or have you ever had skin cancer?

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In the recent days of my practice at rVita, I have started getting inquiries on Parkinson’s disease management. Many patients/well wishers of rVita ask me – Can Ayurveda cure it? Is it a new disease? Can you improve the lifestyle of the patient?

On this context, I wanted to explain about how Ayurveda understands and deals with Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease also known in Ayurveda as ‘Kampa Vata’, is a neurological disorder affecting 1% of the population over the age 65 and is the fourth most common neurological degenerative disorder found in the elderly. Unfortunately changing life styles, high psychological pressures and reduced amount of anti-oxidants have increased the onset of this problem in younger age groups and the incidence has become very common.

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthaman’s Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.

This week’s answers:

1. Dear Sir/Madam, I am taking treatment for malasma since last three year of english medicines but i am not getting rid from it.
i have seen this malasma problem to many dermatologist still i am not getting rid from the malasma.
So it is therefor requested to you kindly guide and suggest me for better treatment.
Hope for your positive response.
I shall be highly obliged of you.
Thanks,
kalpam Chauhan

Hi Kalpam,

As i have discussed many time Melasma requires a integrative holistic approach with Ayurveda therapies, Yoga and diet. An holistic approach with these three yields better results. In my practice i recommend a 40 day Ayurveda pancha karma Therapy which includes internal medications and external purification therapies.

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthaman’s Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.

This week’s answers:
1. Dear Sir/Madam, I am 72 years old. Since years I have non toxic goitre. Recently my THS Level has gone up to 5.4. I am taking thyroxin of 50 mcg thrice a week. My digestion is weak since my childhood. I am underweight like anything. Look like skeleton. I would like to know some ayurvedic remedy for all these ailments.
Thanks.
Khorshed

Hi Khorshed,

In Ayuvreda, this condition is named as pandu – Mal absorption syndrome. Please take the following medications

1. Indukantam Kashayam – 15 ml + 45 ml of warm milk – Twice daily 30 minutes before food

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthaman’s Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.

This week’s answers:

1. my wife is suffering inflammatory bowl disease syndrome for the last eight months. now we are using english medicine. kindly suggest ayurvedha medicine for the same.
regards

S. RAVICHANDRAN

Hi Ravi,

Its the specialty of Ayurveda. Ayurveda medicines, diet and therapies can bring back the normalcy in no time. Please take the following combination of medicines – Granyanthakam Kashayam – 15 ml + 45 ml of warm water – three times a day 30 minutes before food, Dadimashtaka Choornam 3 gm + Kaseesam (101) – 250 mg – Twice daily after food with buttermilk and Manasamitram gutika 1 tablet at bed time with warm water helps.

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthaman’s Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.

This week’s answers:

1. Sir,i have 5 month old baby girl,i get 58 kg want to attain my previous weight.also have less breast milk production.kindly help me.
Saima
Hi Saima,
Check your nutritional intake, Plan it properly to avoid malnutrition. Improve fresh fruits, vegetables in diet. Plan the rice intake to avoid too much of fat accumulation. Take 50 ml of milk + 100 ml of water and 5 gm of Indian Asparagus powder – Boil for ten minutes filter and drink it twice daily in empty stomach. This will reduce the hormonal imbalances and improve the weight and physiological milk secretion. Drink good amount of water for better results.

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthaman’s Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.

This week’s answers:

1. Hello doctor, I am diagnosed with lichen planus in 2001. Since then i’m taking allopathic medicines on and off until last 3 years (till 2009). I could control the itching and stopped scratching the affected skin and it went away without medication. I have 4 months baby now and i dont take any medication. My Lichen planus is relapsed now. I hav it only on my skin hands and legs. Please help me.
Swapna

Hi Swapna,

Lichen planus is the specialty of Ayurveda. Ayurveda detoxification medicines and therapies with good diet & sleep it can be healed completely. Take Maha Thiktakam kashaym 3 tablets 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner with warm milk, Sorin capsules 2 thrice daily after food with warm water and Madhusnuhi choornam – 3 gm in empty stomach with warm water helps. Eladi thailam external application reduces the itching and scars.

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Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthaman’s Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai, answers readers’ questions on Ayurveda. Get your doubts cleared and see them featured on our FAQ page every Tuesday.

This week’s answers:

1. Dear Dr. Gowthaman, I am am having high triglyceride level 350-500 and taking allopathy treatment. My cholesterol level is absolutely normal. I have read about 2gms clove powder daily empty stomach. Will it control triglyceride level to normal?? Any other Ayurveda medicine will also be helpful??
Pl. reply.
Kind regards,
Parmesh
Hi Parmesh,
Yes, clove powder is one of the effective remedies for cholesterol correction and prevent high cholesterol related problems. I have recommended this for close to 7000 patients in my practice. And documented the evidences for close to 1000 patients, it has a positive impact on triglycerides and cholesterol ratio. However if any one has stomach or duodenal ulcer it is not advisable.

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In the autumn of his life, health can be a senior citizen’s only wealth.

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World Heart Day, being observed on 29 September this year, will emphasise on prevention of heart disease among women and children. Stress, a sedentary lifesyle, unhealthy food habits, alcohol and smoking contribute to increased heart disease risk.

Dr. Gowthaman, Director, rVita, shares with you some common foods recommended by Ayurveda that can be included in your daily diet to keep your heart healthy.

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Arjuna induces improvement of cardiac muscle function and subsequently improves pumping activity of the heart. The Arjuna promotes effective cardiac functioning, and regulates blood pressure and tones the heart

Ajamoda (Carum Roxburghianum): This is credited with stimulant and carminative properties and is prescribed as a sedative and tonic. This is prescribed as a decoction or as a liquid extract. The fatty oil from seeds is used in many medicinal preparations as an antispasmodic and nerve stimulant. This is also credited with diuretic properties which are essential in treating certain heart ailments.

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