You’ve touched on a common misunderstanding, but visceral fat isn’t just about body size—it’s more sneaky than that. It wraps around vital organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines. This kind of fat can mess with your body’s functions, leading to issues like heart disease or Type 2 diabetes cause it affects hormone production and insulin resistance.
Feeling sluggish and having cranky digestion could indeed be related to excess visceral fat. This might mean your agni, or digestive fire, is kind of low, which ties back to an imbalance in your Kapha dosha like you mentioned. When Kapha accumulates, it tends to sit heavy, slowing down metabolism and leading to fat build-up.
In Ayurveda, we aim to kindle that digestive fire and balance doshas. Triphala is a good start, with its cleansing and rejuvenating properties, known to improve digestion and metabolism. You can take 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder mixed in lukewarm water, ideally before bed. Turmeric combined with Black Pepper (Piperine enhances turmeric absorption!) is potent—try adding a pinch to your food or mix them in warm water with honey once a day.
For dietary changes, cut down on those sugar-laden, processed foods, which increase Kapha. Instead, focus on bitter, astringent, and pungent flavors that help cut through fat. Thus, favour veggies like spinach, Brussel sprouts or lentils. You don’t have to ditch dairy, but opt for lighter options like buttermilk over full-fat versions.
Exercise is essential too, but nothing extreme. Regular brisk walking, yoga especially sun salutations can naturally reduce kapha.
Remember, changes take time, so patience is key. Listen to your body. If something feels off, pull back. Each body is unique; ensure any routine fits you, not just a general standard.
