Anthony JannoneAYURVEDA – THE SCIENCE OF LONG LIFE:
The word Ayurveda translates to “Science (or Secret) of Long Life.” Originating in ancient India, Ayurveda is often called the Father of Modern Medicine. Even Traditional Chinese Medicine is founded on similar holistic principles.
Let’s keep it simple for beginners — it all comes down to this:
The Three Body Types (Doshas)
According to Ayurveda, there are only three basic types of internal body chemistries — called Doshas — that determine a person’s metabolism and natural tendencies.
Your Dosha, or body type, is established at the moment of conception when the sperm fertilizes the egg. This constitutional makeup never changes throughout your life. It influences everything from your digestion and energy levels to which foods support your health and which ones your body struggles to process.
Digestion, “Ama,” and Compatibility
In Ayurveda, ama refers to undigested or toxic material that can build up in the body — especially along the walls of the colon. Ideally, food should move fully through digestion and exit the body as waste.
However, when we eat foods that are incompatible with our Dosha, the body can’t fully digest them. Some of this undigested material may even pass through looking the same as when it was eaten — a sign that the food doesn’t agree with your system.
For example, if you notice that lettuce often appears unchanged in your stool, it’s a clue that lettuce isn’t compatible with your Dosha.
Over time, the undigested matter that doesn’t leave the body can stick to the colon walls, where it decays and releases toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins can circulate through the body, affecting various organs and overall vitality.
Cleansing Through Proper Food Choices
The good news is that eating foods compatible with your Dosha naturally helps cleanse the body. Proper digestion allows the system to flush out toxins and restore balance.
To make this sustainable in modern life, try following the 80/20 principle:
- 80% of what you eat should align with your Dosha and support your natural metabolism.
- 20% can be for enjoyment — the things you love that might not be perfectly compatible.
Staying within this ratio helps prevent toxin buildup and supports longevity. Going too far outside of it can invite imbalance, illness, or fatigue.
Ancient Wisdom: Reading the Body
In ancient times, before modern lab tests and medical equipment, Ayurvedic practitioners would assess a person’s health by observing digestion and elimination — yes, that includes examining stool (mala). It was one of the most reliable ways to understand internal imbalances.
Try It for Yourself
Here is a simple introductory Ayurveda Body Type Evaluation Tool.
It’s not a full professional assessment, but it offers a helpful starting point.
Keep in mind that it’s possible to be bi-doshic — having two Doshas in relatively equal balance. If your results show this, use the food lists for both types. Whichever Dosha scores slightly higher can be considered your primary type.
