Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091

CONCEPT OF NUTRITIONAL DYANAMICS OF TISSUE (DHATUPOSHANA)- AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH Dr. Nitesh Gupta1 Dr. Rashmi Tiwari2 1Associate Professor, Department of Kriya Sharir,SGAM, Gujarat Ayurved University Jamnagar, 2Assistant Professor, Department of Agadtantra; GAC Vadodara, Gujarat, India ABSTRACT In Every dynamic system whether it is a machine or living cell, it loses mass when it is left to itself. Against this persistent destructive –tug, the living cell must pit itself-repair and replace. The structural metabolism based on nutrition, and energy metabolism makes such gains possible. Fuel sources are required from which structural supplies may be pro- cured. The concepts of Saptadhatus of ayurveda refer to the physiology of basic nutritional and structural factors of the body. They are being constantly formed, destroyed and reformed with appropriate material derived from Poshakadravya (nutrient substances) from the time of conception to death. All ancient texts have postulated the view that Saptadhatus are pro- duced in a kind of progressive transformation, beginning with the Rasadhatu and ending with Sukradhatu, the previous dhatu being transformed in to the next higher. The implica- tions of this theory have been sought to be explained in terms of three different hypotheses. These theories regarding the nourishment of the Dhatus are termed as “DhatuPoshanaN- yaya”.The KsheeradadhiNyaya emphasizes on the Dhatavagnipakajanya prasadamsha (Law of Transformation) while the KedariKulyaNyaya stresses on the Rasasamvahana (microcir- culation and tissue perfusion) and the KhaleKapota on the Srotasas /Channels (selective up- take of nutrient by respective cells and tissues). Keywords: Nutrition, Poshakadravya, DhatuPoshanaNyaya

INTRODUCTION The body, according to Aurveda is stantly formed, destroyed and reformed the result or an outcome of nutrition. Dis- with appropriate material derived from eases, on the other hand, are the result of Poshakadravyas (nutrient substances) mal and or impaired nutrition. The manner from the time of conception to death. All in which the nutrition ingested is digested: ancient Samhitagranthas have postulated the way in which its various components the view that saptadhatus are produced in are metabolized in to appropriate dhatu or a kind of progressive evolutive metamor- tissue elements, and how some of its con- phosis, beginning with the Rasadhatu and stituents are broken down for being uti- ending with Sukradhatu the previous dhatu lized for the production of energy required being transformed in to the next higher3. for vital activities. The concepts of Ancient scientists described the evaluative Saptadhatus of ayurveda refer to the phys- metamorphosis of dhatus as occurring in iology of basic nutritional and structural the course of dhatwagnipaka, yielding factors of the body. They are being con- dhatus and kittas, in its prasada and kit- How to cite this URL: Dr. Nitesh Gupta & Dr. Rashmi Tiwari: Concept Of Nutritional Dyanamics Of Tissue (Dhatuposhana)- An Ayurvedic Approach. International Ayurvedic medical Journal {online} 2016 {cited 2016 July} Available from: http://www.iamj.in/posts/images/upload/884_892.pdf Dr. Nitesh Gupta & Dr. Rashmi Tiwari: Concept Of Nutritional Dyanamics Of Tissue (Dhatuposhana)- An Ayurvedic Ap- proach tapakas respectively. These and maintaining them.5 The term dhatu dhatus constantly undergoing metamorpho pertain to nutrients also in transit and not sis and transported through dhatuvahasrot only to tissue that already exist such as ansi (Channel that conduct dhatus).4 bones, muscles, blood etc. The implica- Dhatus are classified in two categories 1) tions of this theory have been sought to be Sthayi or Posya 2) Asthayior Poshaka. explained in terms of three different hy- The Sthayi or Posyadhatu support the potheses.These theories regarding the body, by providing it with basic tissue, the nourishment of the Dhatus are termed as Poshaka (asthayi) dhatus are seen to sup- “DhatuPoshanaNyaya”. port the former by nourishing, sustaining Pattern of structural metabolism

INGESTION RESPIRATION EXCRETION

DIGESTION BASIC NUTRITION INTERNAL TRANSPORT METABOLIC SYNTHESIS

EGECTION STORAGE NEW PROTOPLASM NOURISH- one Dhatu becomes the nutrient for the MENT OF THE DHATUS AS PER THE other. This implies the transformation of DHATUPOSHANANYAYAS the Rasa into Rakta, Rakta into Mamsa, The examination of the subject and Mamsa into Meda and so on. Thus, the with the proper evidences and logic is previous Dhatu acts as a substratum for the the Nyaya. The Siddhanta is the one successive one. The time taken for trans- which is accepted by all after multiple ex- formation of Rasa into the Shukra as per perimentation and observation and is al- this Nyaya is explained in various ways by ways the truth but the Nyaya is ones view the seers of yore. As per the strength of and is the way a person sees a process the Dhatavagni and the Bhootagni, happening which varies from person to the RasaDhatu undergoes transformation person.In the case of the “DhatuPoshana” into the successive Dhatus. also a number of theories have been pro- Some Acharyas say that posed. Thus, all these theories proposed by the Rasa transforms into the Shukra in six theAcharyas are to be seen as a view based days. Parashara says that the AharaRasa t on the observation and logic. Thus, these ransfom in to the RasaDhatu in 24 theories regarding the nourishment of hours, RaktaDhatu is formed on the third the Dhatus are termed as “DhatuPosha- day, Mamsa forms on the fourth naNyaya”. day, Meda on the fifth, Asthi on the 1) KSHEERADADHINYAYA (MAXIM sixth, Majja on the seventh and OF THE MILK & CURD) the Shukra is formed in the eight days. Also known as the Law of Trans- Sushruta is of the view that the Rasa stays formation, or the Sarvatmana Parinama in each Dhatu for a period of 3015 Kalaas, Paksha, the Ksheeradadhi Nyaya has been approx. 5 days. Thus, in about a month the first of the theories placed forward to- the Shukra and the Artava are formed in wards the understanding of the Dhatu the Male and Female respectively. Thus, Poshana. According to this Nyaya, the from the above difference of opinions it is one Dhatu transforms into the other suc- hard to pinpoint the time required for the cessive Dhatu just as the milk transforms transformation of the Dhatus. This means into the curd so is the term “Ksheeradad- that the DhatuPoshana process continues hiNyaya”. As per this Nyaya, continuously without any pause. Explain- 2564 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 4; Issue 08; August- 2016 Dr. Nitesh Gupta & Dr. Rashmi Tiwari: Concept Of Nutritional Dyanamics Of Tissue (Dhatuposhana)- An Ayurvedic Ap- proach ing this with an example of the person the Raktadhatu, the former takes the form drawing out water from a well using a of Rakta i.e. the Rasa acquires the odour, wheel; it is found that the strength of the colour of the Rakta and nourishes it by the person turning the wheel is responsible for homologous fraction. Similar- speed of drawing the water out of the well. ly, other Dhatus are nourished. The spe- The more the strength of the person the cialty of this Nyaya is that the Rasa travels more is the speed of drawing the water. through a single path and nourishes all Similarly, the strength of the factors the Dhatus. Harita has also accepted this like Agni decides the time for the for- theory. According to him the Rasa mation of the Dhatus. Dhatu undergoes change of the colour to Raisng the doubts in the authenticity of the white; grey and green etc. throughout the KsheeradadhiNyaya, AcharyaChakrapani day before it gets converted contends that if this Nyaya is accepted to Rakta.This Nyaya is most widely accept then, if a person performs fast for 3-4 days, ed among the DhatuPoshana theories. Thi the rasadhatu of this individual should be s Nyayaexplains all the aspects of depleted. Similarly a fast of a month shall the Dhatu Poshana processes. The Rasa in make the body devoid of all the six Dhatus the state of excess will not accept the nu- and only the Shukra will remain. Clarify- trients just as the field which is completely ing these doubts Vagbhat- saturated with water refuses to accept ta and Dalhana say that after the digestion more, thus making more water available of food the food gets divided into two for the subsequent fields. Similarly, the parts viz. the Sara (potent part) and increase in one Dhatu may lead to the in- the Kitta (Excretory part). The Sara is act- crease of the nearby Dhatu as the channels ed upon by the Dhatavagni that again di- of this Dhatus are very near. The Dhatu in vides this part into two parts, excess will refuse to accept one Sthoola and other Sookshma. The the Panchabhautic raw material in the Sthoola part nourishes the Dhatu while form of Rasa and makes way for the nour- the Sookshma part nourishes ishment of the nearby Dhatus. From vari- the Upadhatu and the succes- ous references it becomes clear that there sive Dhatu.The Sookshma part of the pre- is physiological relation between the vari- ceding Dhatu is acted upon by the Agni of ous Dhatus and their respective Srotasas / the successive Dhatu which produces three Channels and they are influenced by one parts viz. Sthoola, which nourishes the self another as the various canals for nourish- (Dhatu); Sookshma, which nourishes ment of the field are interlinked. Similarly, the Upadhatu and consecu- decrease in one Dhatu will lead to the de- tive Dhatu; Mala which nourishes the ex- crease in the other as the diminished one cretory portion.6 will consume more nutrients just as the 2) KEDARIKULYANYAYA (MAXIM OF field that is dry consumes more water lead- THE FIELD AND THE CANAL) - ing to the scarcity of water in the other This is also known as the Law of fields. In the case of Rajayaksma, the in- Transmission or terrelation between the various Dhatus is the Kramaparinamapaksha. clearly visible in the concept The Kedari means the field while of PratilomaKshaya. the Kulya means the canal. The Pratilomakshaya means the kshaya of This Nyaya likens the nourishment of the the later Dhatu shall lead to the kshaya of Dhatus with the irrigation of the different the previous one. Thus, it is to be accepted fields with the canal. The water irrigates that the increase in one will also lead to the the nearby field first and then it irrigates increase in the other proving the above the distant ones. The Rasadhatu nourishes principle. Another concept to prove this the Rakta first. When theory is by applying the UpasnehaNyaya. the Rasadhatu contacts with the site of This UpasnehaNyaya has been explained 2565 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 4; Issue 08; August- 2016 Dr. Nitesh Gupta & Dr. Rashmi Tiwari: Concept Of Nutritional Dyanamics Of Tissue (Dhatuposhana)- An Ayurvedic Ap- proach in the context of foetal development 6. Just The process of birth and death is going on as the trees on the banks of a river get all the time- the dead cell being replaced nourished with the water, the in- by the new ones of the species. It seems to creased Dhatu also nourishes its near- us that our body is stable and intact; in re- by Dhatus. The word Upasneha indicates ality it is dying and being reborn all the the mode of the travel of the nutrients like time. The materials with which new cells the Osmosis.7 are manufactured are derived only from 3) KHALEKAPOTA one source, and that source is food. By the NYAYA / MAXIM OF THE BARN & same token, the material for the formation THE BIRD - of the functional factors, such as vata pitta This is also known as the Law of Selectivi- and kapha, as well as the sevenfold struc- ty. According to this Nyaya, the nourish- tural elements viz. the saptadhatus, are ment of the Dhatu s takes place by selec- also derived from the food ingested. These tion. The nourishing flu- dhatus are formed, destroyed and re- id, AnnaRasa travels to the differ- formed, all the time, in a living man, main- ent Dhatus through different channels. In taining a state of dynamic metabolic equi- the beginning, the nearby Dhatu draws its librium. Dhatus are of two kind’s viz. nutrient fraction from the nourishing fluid sthayi or poshya and asthayi or poshaka. and the distant one gets nourished later. The posyasthayidhatus support the body This theory is based on the analogy of the by providing it with basic tissue, the pigeons carrying the grains from a field poshaka or asathayidhatus are seen to and moving in different directions to reach support the former by nourishing, sustain- their destination, nest. The nest which is ing and maintaining them. near will get the grain first while the nest KedariKulyaNyaya or microcirculation farther will receive the grain later. This and tissue perfusion: This nyaya states that theory believes that each Dhatu has its the living body is provided with innumer- specific nutrient, Poshakamsha (Nourish- able micro vascular channels which carry ing part).This theory is accepted in the nourishment to the respective sites in case of the origin of the disease also as Dhatus (tissues). The cells and tissues are the Doshas travel in the differ- literally perfused with nutrient plasma but ent Srotasas and the place where there is mere tissue perfusion is not enough to vitiation, Kha-Vaigunya, produce the dis- complete the process of nourishment. This eases.8 needs the complementary play of the sub- EK KALA DHATU POSHANAN- sequent two nyayas. KhaleKapot YAYA (MAXIM OFTHE SIMULTA- Nyaya refers to the selective uptake of nu- NEOUS NOURISHMENT) trients by respective cells and tissues in the This theory has been propounded by the same way as the birds of different species commentator, Arundutta, as he doesn’t pickup selective grains and cereals from consider any of the theories fully applica- common harvesting ground because the ble in explaining the DhatuPoshana. KedariKulyaNyaya provides a total pool of Arundutta clarifies that nutrients at the site of all tissues but the the AharaRasa nourishes all the Dhatus of different tissues require different specific the body simultaneously by the particular nutrients and hence there is a need of ac- fraction of that Dhatu by entering the re- tive selective uptake. As an example the spective Srotasa of that Dhatu. Achar- bone tissue will only take the amino acids yaCharaka has also narrated this in refer- and minerals like Calcium Phosphorus, ence to the VyanaVayu which is said to while the blood tissue will uptake specifi- carry the RasaDhatu throughout the body cally the nutrients like Iron etc. which is simultaneously.9 necessary for formation of blood. DISCUSSION Vagbhata states that “As the flame of the forest fire tends to increase or decrease 2566 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 4; Issue 08; August- 2016 Dr. Nitesh Gupta & Dr. Rashmi Tiwari: Concept Of Nutritional Dyanamics Of Tissue (Dhatuposhana)- An Ayurvedic Ap- proach according to the quantity of fuel, so also is aya emphasizes on the Dhatavagnipakajan the case with dhatuparinama. Substances ya prasadamsha while the KedariKulyaNy are either similar or distinct, which cause aya stresses on the Rasa samvahana and th an increase or decrease as the case may be, e KhaleKapota on theSrotasas /Channels. of the tissues due to the properties poten- REFERENCES tially inherited by them, as in the case of a 1. Introduction to kayachikitsa by seed; homologous properties of substances C.Dwarakanathachaukambhaorientalia cause sufficient and rapid increase of iden- third edition 1996 p.n 59. tical or homologous properties in the tis- 2. Introduction to kayachikitsa by sues”. KshiraDadhiNyaya refers to the final transformation and assimilation of the C.Dwarakanathachaukambhaorientalia up-taken nutrients into the tissue system third edition 1996 p.n 2, 3. and life process. This essentially is compa- 3. Introductions to kayachikitsa by rable with the conversion of milk into yo- C.Dwarakanathachaukambhaorientalia gurt, hence the term Kshira “milk” Dadhi third edition 1996 p.n 323, “yogurt” Nyaya. It is where the preceding 4. Introductions to kayachikitsa by tissues get transformed into the succeeding tissue. The first tissue, rasadhatu, is C.Dwarakanathachaukambhaorientalia “cooked” by the respective agnis and be- third edition 1996 p.n 324, comes rakta, similarly the raktadhatu 5. Introductions to kayachikitsa by (blood tissue) changed as mamsadhautu C.Dwarakanathachaukambhaorientalia (muscle tissue) and mamsadhatu changes third edition 1996 p.n315. into medadhatu (fat tissue). 6. Susruta sharir 3/31 CONCLUSION 7. Drvaibhavdadu, 2007, Ayurvedic con- The above description makes one point clear that Ayurveda has accepted the im- cept and management of Anaemia. A portance of the Rasa in nourishment of all novel approach, Munich, Grin Verlag, the Dhatus. All the Nyaya s is correct in 8. Dr vaibhavdadu, 2007, Ayurvedic con- their approach and there is not much of a cept and management of Anaemia. A difference among them. The entire three novel approach, Munich, Grin Verlag, Nyayas act as a unit and it is not possible 9. Dr vaibhavdadu, 2007, Ayurvedic con- to explain Dhatu - Poshana with the ex- clusion of any of them. Thus, all the three cept and management of Anaemia. A act in full harmony to show the complete novel approach, Munich, Grin Verlag, process the Dhatu-Poshana. 10. Dr vaibhavdadu, 2007, Ayurvedic con- The Ahararasa first nourish- cept and management of Anaemia. A es the Rasadhatu by the Ksheeradadhi Nya novel approach, Munich, grin Verlag, ya. The Rasadhatu accepts the nourishmen 11. Charaksamhita sutra sthana. 28/4, t from the Rasa and the remaining portion 12. Charakchikitsasthana 15/36. by the application of the Kedari KulyaNya ya nourishes the Rakta by behaving like th 13. Astangsangraha sutra sthana 19/16-19 e Rakta. The remaining portion moves ahe 14. Charakchikitsa 15/15-16 ad in the Mamsavaha Srotasa to nourish 15. Susrutasuthrasthana 14/10 the Mamsadhatu. Thus, all the three act together to nourish the Dhatus. In this way CORRESPONDING AUTHOR the Dhatu s nourish each other and so the Dr. Nitesh Gupta increase in one leads to the in- Email: [email protected] crease of the other and vice versa proving t he principle "Poorvahpoorvoati vriddh Source of Support: Nil atvat- Conflict of Interest: None Declared vardhayeddhiparam.The Ksheeradadhi Ny 2567 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 4; Issue 08; August- 2016