Editorial- July 2019
Upavasa (fasting) is deeply rooted in Indian culture. It is adhered to many of religious festivals in India. Fasting by Mahatma Gandhi is still alive in mind and heart of Indians. Agni Purana (chapter 175) cites the details of Vrata (fasting) as Tapa. Upavasa is suggested for spiritual, psychological and physical well beings. Sanatan Dharma suggests fasting for strengthening determination by denial of physical needs of the body. It is controlled by brain. Ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus is related to ‘satiety center’ while dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus is connected to GI stimulation. A postulation deals the governing activity of ‘satiety center’ under the control of glucose utilization signaling in neurons. A study of Kaye el. al. (2009) published in Nature Neuroscience highlights ...