title: An observational pilot study on the effect of Gomutra Haritaki, diet control and exercise in the management of Sthaulya (obesity).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  India is currently witnessing rising numbers of people in the middle-class who are obese. A lot of the Indian population has started relying on processed foods that contain a huge percentage of trans-fat, sugars, and other unhealthy and artificial ingredients. Obesity is considered the core of many diseases. Increased weight carries significant health risks for some cancers, diabetes, heart diseases and strokes. Junk food, alcohol and sedentary lifestyle are leading us to silent self destruction, making one in every five Indian men and women either obese or overweight.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of Gomutra Haritaki on Sthaulya.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational pilot study on the effect of Gomutra Haritaki, diet control and exercise in the management of Sthaulya (obesity) was conducted on 21 patients. Enrolled patients were screened on the basis of clinical findings and allocated into two groups. Trial group received Gomutra Haritaki (6 g/day in three divided doses) while control group received placebo capsules in the same dose for 8 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically highly significant relief was found in weight reduction (P < 0.001), and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.01) in both groups. Control group has shown better results against trial group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results prove the impact of diet and exercise in the management of Sthaulya.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Principles, Govindbhai Jorabhai Patel Institute of Ayurvedic Studies and Research, New Vallabha Vidyanagar, Anand, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Gujarathi
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Principles, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Rambabu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dwivedi
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Principles, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Mahesh Kumar
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Vyas
keywords: Cow's urine; Gomutra; Haritaki; Sthaulya; Terminalia chebula; obesity