Ayurveda considers a healthy Gut is responsible for good immunity.

The mammalian gastrointestinal ( GI) tract is home to an enormous and complex community of commensal bacteria. This gut microbial community (microbiota ) has co-evolved with its host over millennia and provides benefits to its host in many ways including, but not limited to, digestion production of nutrients, detoxification, protection against pathogens, and regulation of the immune system. The immune system plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy by providing a fine balance between the elimination of invading pathogens and the maintenance of tolerance to healthy self tissue. However, in the case of patients with autoimmune disorders, the mechanism to maintain self-tolerance fails, and the result will be a poor immune system.

Several approaches have been used to demonstrate that signals derived from gut microbiota are critical for the development of the immune system.

So with this brief introduction of the relation between Gut microbiota and immunity, we say that Gut health is the first thing to consider for having a good immune system.

This is the Approach of Ayurveda where it focuses on the health of the intestine, digestive capacity, and condition of Agni. It says that Disturbed Agni causes the majority of diseases.

In the treatment aspect also Basti (enema ) is told the Half of the treatment because medicines reach directly to the intestine by Basti.

Ayurveda also says that “Ardha Roghari Nidhra”.

Means good sleep is Half of the treatment. A sound sleep is very helpful for the digestive system. With these few examples, we can understand that Gut Health is the most important factor for a Healthy Body.

The gut is the site of the absorption of micronutrients to the body.

Ayurveda says Gut is the site of Sar kitta vibhajna (separation of nutritive components and waste from Food .)

While explaining Treatment, Ayurveda says that

Ahara (Diet ), Vihara(lifestyle ), Aushadhi( Medicines) are the factors to consider.

Sahara has given first preference because Aahara is the first thing which is responsible for the growth and health of the body as good fuel is responsible for the performance of the engine in the same way Good food is responsible for a disease-free body.

When we say Aahara it is not just the type of food or ingredients, there are different factors that make that food as healthy Digestible food.

Ayurveda has explained 8 Important factors related to food intake.

Food is the most important ingredient required for existence and runs the day-to-day routine activities. Food provides the essential energy to work and growth.

It is very important to maintain the complete process of food, time, combination, quality, quantity, processing, etc.

• In Ayurveda Ashata Vidha Ahara Ayatanam are mentioned (8 important factors for food )

Tatra Khalvimanya Ashta Aahara Vidhi Visheshayatanani bhavanti |

Tadhyatha – Prakriti Karna Samyoga Rashi Desha Kalopyogasanstho upyokatrastani bhavanti ||

(Charka Samhita Viman Sthan chp.1)

These 8 important factors :

1) Prakruti: Natural Qualities of Food.

Every food or herb has its natural qualities as light, heavy, etc…

One must aware of these and plan food according to the requirement of body condition

• Eg: Black Grams are heavy in nature, it takes a long time to digest, comparatively Green gram (moong dal ) is light in nature.

By this, we can plan our food as per the condition of Agni (digestive capacity )

2) Karana:

Karana means processing the food substances which leads to the transformation of their inherent qualities and characters to make them ideal and good for consumption. This transformation is called Samskara. Sanskara enhances the quality of food.

3) Samyoga: Combination

The combination of two or more ingredients is a very important process to make the food balanced.

We should not mix the ingredients of opposite qualities, it disturbs the digestive process.

4.) Rashi: Quantum

The quantity of food is a very important factor one must be aware of.

The body needs adequate food quantity for functioning properly.

Large quantities and less quantity both are bad.

We consume different food items in one serving. We should know the desirable combination quantity of each ingredient.

For example, if we are preparing Khichdi, a proper portion of rice and dal (lentil) is a must.

5) Desh: Habitat

We must eat naturally and locally grown food, because this suits as per the requirement of that environment and contains all qualities.

6) Kala Time

Timing of Food is a very much necessary factor for the complete process of digestion

The timing of food depends upon the body condition, season, etc…

In normal conditions acharyas as told two Anna Kala means two-timing of food,

i.e, Breakfast and early dinner.

Other times depending upon the demand of the body as in some diseases.

Here time also explains about the season we must take food which grows in that particular season.

7) Upyog Samstha: Rules to use

There are certain rules for food intake among them is we must assess if the previously taken food is digested or not.

8) Upyokta: user

The eighth and the most important factor is the user who is using the food. Food should be planned as per the requirement of the individual.

As every individual is different, his food requirements will be different.

All these above factors will help to digest the food properly and produce the nutritive component and produce a healthy environment to absorb it properly and every system of the bodywork in harmony and remain disease free.