European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

UNDERSTANDING PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIP OF OBESITY AND HYPOTHYROIDISM

Vd. Rohit Mehta*

ABSTRACT

Obesity is one of the most important health risk of present era. It is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, dyslipidemia, Cardio Vascular Diseases, Infertility etc. Obesity is widely regarded as a pandemic with potentially disastrous consequences for human health. According to Ayurveda sthoulya is placed under the santharpanottha vyadhies. Atisthoulya has been enumerated as one among Ashtaninditha purusha by Acharya Charaka implies that the condition is comparatively difficult to manage. Obesity arises from multiple factors. It is linked to many endocrine abnormalities including thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism is associated with weight gain, decreased metabolic rate and thermo genesis. The hormones produced by the thyroid gland helps in regulation of metabolism in the body. Whenever the levels of T3 and T4 falls and the level of TSH raises, this condition results. Many studies support the fact that mild thyroid dysfunction is linked to significant changes in body weight and likely represents a risk factor for overweight and Obesity. As thyroid hormones are potent regulators of energy, they modulate the enzymes and fat synthesis. Hence hypothyroidism and obesity always co-exist. In this paper an attempt has been made to link Obesity and Hypothyroidism, their underlying cause and effect relationship through Ayurvedic perspective.

Keywords: Sthoulya, obesity, hypothyroidism.