Health

Role of Ghiza (Diet) in health and disease is accepted in Unani system of medicine since thousand years. Hippocrates (BC 460-370) elaborated the importance of Makul (diet) for healthy life according to age. This concept said that diet becomes Badal Ma Tahallul (wear of tear). It plays an important role in maintaining the harmony of Akhlat Arba (four humors). In the old age, one should be careful about schedule and quantity of Ghiza. Legend Unani philosophers and physicians had given attention towards its essentiality to save and promote the health of elders. They elaborated types and Mizaj (temprament), as well as quantity of Ghiza systematically. Unani scholars recommended specific diet in specific seasons, ages and in specific diseases. This review article aims at surveying the classical unani literature to explore the diet and its essentiality in elderly.

The phenomenon of ageing is gradually becoming a challenge worldwide, especially for developing countries like India.  It is estimated that the elderly population will contribute 19% of the total population by 2050 against the current contribution of merely 8%. This exponential growth in the elderly population is sure to pose some serious socio–economic challenges for India. The burgeoning elderly population in India faces many issues like poor access to healthcare facilities, concern for healthcare, financial insecurity, isolation, domestic abuse, low self-esteem, neglect and idleness. This paper makes as effort to highlight the issues of elderly and their root cause. The various measures needed to be adopted to bring a change in the current miserable state of the elderly. The Government intervention required to reframe the existing policies and bring into new reforms to provide a secure and health life to the people in their golden years. The paper aims to encourage the readers to bring a step forward today, to secure their tomorrow.