School of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion
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Rutaceae MEAL: "oh my gosh, I'm just reading this comment about the spine feeling better....I've been juicing grapefruits like crazy..." - Teresa Ferlotti,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISGrapefruit & DigestionGrapefruit improves digestion. Its sour taste increases saliva and gastric juices. The fruits bitterness stimulates peristalsis and cleansing of the digestive tract. Grapefruit increases the effective potency and bioavailability of many drugs by inhibiting certain enzymes. It increases alertness and refreshes the body, due to sourness and bitterness.Grapefruit, Fat Metabolism, & CholesterolGrapefruit improves fat metabolism and lowers cholesterol. Scientists have hypothesized that grapefruit reduces insulin levels, encouraging fat loss. Ayurveda's high regard for grapefruit lies in its taste, the combination of sour and bitter flavors. Sour and bitter tastes stimulate the flow of bile, which cleans the liver of congestion and prevents the formation of stones in the gall bladder. The removal of bile from the liver, due to its oiliness, also lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. Your spine will feel more cool and relaxed because the bile flow directly reduces Pitta.The Grapefruit DietThe grapefruit diet is a weight-loss program popularized in the 1930s. It is a low-calorie crash diet with the addition of 1/2 grapefruit per meal. As with many fad diets, use caution. Avoid starvation or crash diets that increase Vata and ultimately lower metabolism. A healthy diet with the addition of grapefruit can be a sustainable method for long-term weight loss.Grapefruit & AgingGrapefruit contains large quantities of spermidine, necessary for cell growth and maturation. As cells age their level of spermidine falls. Worms, fruit flies, and yeast fed spermidine have significantly longer life spans. Mice fed spermidine had reduced molecular markers of aging. Human cells fed spermidine also lived longer. A half grapefruit provides 78.1 percent of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C. High levels of the powerful antioxidant lycopene, shown to have anti-tumor activity, give grapefruit its characteristic red/pink color.ContraindicationsGrapefruit may interfere with enzymes that metabolize estrogen, possibly increasing the risk of breast cancer in women who previously used hormone therapy. Grapefruit can increase the risk of some types of kidney stones. Grapefruit also interferes with some beta blocker drugs used to treat high blood pressure, and cyclosporine, taken by transplant patients to prevent rejection of their new organs. Grapefruits are also contraindicated when using anti-depressants.ABOUT GRAPEFRUITBUYING & PREPARATIONSelect grapferuits that are heavy for their size - they tend to have a thinner skin. COOKING GRAPEFRUIT Browse RecipesLearn about the health benefits of Grapefruit for FREE
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WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Grapefruit Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL BIOCHARACTERISTICSWhat is the biocharacteristic theory of medicine?
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Here are the herbal actions of Grapefruit: Digestion: Quenches thirst , QUENCHES-THIRSTAn herb or substance that relieves thirst.Stimulates peristalsis , STIMULATES-PERISTALSISAn herb that promotes involuntary smooth muscle contractions to facilitate the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract.Sialogogue , SIALOGOGUEA sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. AstringentsSpleen Tonic SPLEEN-TONICAn herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.Cleanse and Detox: Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Energy Vitality Strength: Stimulates energy STIMULATES-ENERGYThis category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbsLiver & Gall Bladder: Cholagogue CHOLAGOGUECholagogues stimulate the release of bile from the gall bladder for improved digestion.Mind, Stress & Sleep: Wakes you up WAKES-YOU-UPInvigorates the body and improves energy by stimulating circulation.Weight Loss: Hypolipidemic , HYPOLIPIDEMICScrapes fats / cleanses blood vesselsRaises Thyroid RAISES-THYROIDAn herb that increases thyroid function.Find Your Symptom: Refreshing REFRESHINGStimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.View Other Ingredients for SpringGrapefruit is recommended for Spring. Check out these other Spring foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Grapefruit'Do you like 'grapefruit'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'grapefruit'?
oh my gosh, I'm just reading this comment about the spine feeling better....I've been juicing grapefruits like crazy lately and realized that my spine feels more juicy and flexible!!
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Blood and Circulation Blood dark in color, Chronic Fungus infection, Gall Bladder Inflammation, High Triglycerides, Sticky salivaMind Stress Sleep Difficulty concentrating, Difficulty waking up, Excessive sleep, Sleep deep & long, trouble waking up, Tired in morningDigestion Dry Mouth / Tongue, Pancreatic InsufficiencyWeight Loss Fat back of arms, Fat on back, Fat on buttocks, Fat on thighs, Feel overweight, Hypothyroid, Stomach fatPoop Fullness below belly button, Gray Stool, Shiny / oily / fatty stoolsDiet Irregular Thirst
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. |
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