A Conceptual Study of Medo Dhatu w.s.r. to Human Body Fat
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23862070Keywords:
Medo Dhatu, Adipose tissue, Body fat, Dhatvagni, Baddha Meda, Abaddha Meda, Medovaha Srotas, Lipid metabolismAbstract
Background: Ayurveda explains the human body with the help of seven basic tissues called Dhatus. Medo Dhatu is the fourth Dhatu. It is the oily, soft and heavy tissue of the body that gives smoothness, firmness and stored strength. Modern science studies body fat mainly as adipose tissue, which stores energy, keeps the body warm, protects organs and also works like a hormone-producing organ. A clear comparison of these two ideas can help students and physicians to understand fat-related problems such as obesity and dyslipidemia in a better way.
Aim: To study the classical concept of Medo Dhatu and to correlate it with human body fat.
Objectives: To review the classical Ayurvedic literature and research journals available on Medo Dhatu. To understand the Ayurvedic concept of Medo Dhatu. To evaluate the relation between Medo Dhatu and human body fat.
Materials and Methods: This was a conceptual, literary and comparative study. Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, Ashtanga Sangraha and Sharangadhara Samhita, along with the commentaries of Chakrapanidatta, Dalhana and Arunadatta, were studied. Standard modern textbooks of physiology, biochemistry, anatomy and pathology, and published research papers on adipose tissue and lipid metabolism were also reviewed. The collected matter was compared under six headings: structure, location, function, metabolism, quantity and disease.
Results & Conclusion: The classical description of Medo Dhatu shows close similarity with the modern knowledge of human body fat in structure, site, function, metabolism and disease. Medo Dhatu can therefore be understood as the Ayurvedic counterpart of adipose tissue together with circulating lipids. These links are conceptual and need clinical and laboratory proof in future studies.
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