Abstract:

The World Health Organization (WHO), in a March, 2013 statement reported: “Of the 57 million global deaths in 2008, 36 million, or 63%, were due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), principally cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases.”

Popular belief presumes that NCDs afflict mostly high-income populations. However, the evidence tells a different story:

– Nearly 80% of NCD deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries and NCDs are the most frequent causes of death in most countries, with the exception of those in Africa.
– NCDs in Africa are projected to exceed communicable, maternal, perinatal, and nutritional diseases as the most common causes of death by 2030.

Global concern about the rise in lifestyle, or non-communicable, diseases (NCDs) has highlighted the role that diet plays in obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer, among others. WHO’s 2013 World Health Report notes: “Diet and nutrition are important factors in the promotion and maintenance of good health throughout the entire life course. Their role as determinants of chronic NCDs is well established and they therefore occupy a prominent position in prevention activities.”

This presentation will focus on personalized Ayurvedic dietary approaches, as well as on evidence for the role of Ayurvedic herbal formulations and medicinal plants, in preventing and managing NCDs.