Mamsa Dhatu Kshay and Its Correlation with Modern Diseases

Abstract

A disease entity described in Ayurveda is called Mamsa Dhatu Kshay, translating to muscle mass and function degeneration. This old and ancient concept finds its relevance in many modern diseases characterized by muscle atrophy and weakness, like sarcopenia, cachexia, and muscular dystrophy. According to Ayurveda, Mamsa Dhatu is one of the vital tissues responsible for physical strength, stamina, and metabolic functions. Lowering of Mamsa Dhatu is caused by wrong diet, excess work either physical or mental, and chronic illness and, in modern medicine, too, these are recognized as etiological factors for muscle wasting disorders. The Association of Mamsa Dhatu Kshay with modern diseases has a very important significance for the amalgamation of traditional and modern health sciences. For instance, sarcopenia, which is common in older population groups, shares common pathophysiological mechanisms with Mamsa Dhatu Kshay in terms of hormonal imbalances and nutrient deficiencies. Cachexia, on the other hand, is often associated with almost any kind of chronic disease but very often with cancer and chronic heart failure, and it has similarities in muscle wasting and systemic inflammation. Such associations would further solidify diagnosis and treatment regimens that couple Ayurvedic principles with contemporary medical modalities to address muscle wasting among the patient population. According to this review, the mechanisms of Mamsa Dhatu Kshay and its manifestations through the perspective of modern medical verbiage give a comprehensive understanding of how ancient wisdom could be useful and informative to contemporary medical practices with inflection to muscle wasting disorders. Our survey can bridge traditional Ayurvedic concepts for development of new holistic treatment approaches respecting the physical and metabolic needs of individuals affected by muscle wasting diseases in line with the contemporary disease model. Key words: Mamsa Dhatu Kshay, muscle atrophy, sarcopenia, cachexia, muscular dystrophy, Ayurveda, integrative medicine, muscle wasting.