How Ayurveda Helped Me Rethink Vitamins: A Holistic Approach to Wellness
I used to think of vitamins as just something I needed to take to keep my body from falling apart. I’d grab a multivitamin off the shelf, pop it with breakfast, and move on with my day, believing that was all I needed. But recently, I’ve been learning more about Ayurveda, and it’s completely shifted the way I view nutrition—and vitamins in particular.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine that takes a holistic approach to health. It’s not just about the body but also the mind and spirit. I’ve found that this system doesn’t just prescribe nutrients for their physical benefits; it considers how they impact our mental and emotional well-being as well. For the longest time, I thought of vitamins as a purely scientific thing, but Ayurveda teaches us that they’re also energetic elements that help us maintain balance, not just in our bodies but in our overall health.
For anyone new to the concept, Ayurveda divides the body into three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—which represent different energies. Every person has a unique combination of these doshas, and this combination affects everything from your digestion to your mental state. According to Ayurveda, it’s essential to tailor your nutrition, including vitamins, to fit your dosha’s needs. This means what works for someone with a Pitta constitution (who might have a fiery temperament) may not be ideal for someone with a more Vata or Kapha-based constitution.
I came across an article on Ask Ayurveda that really opened my eyes to this broader, more balanced approach:
https://ask-ayurveda.com/articles/1256-why-are-vitamins-necessary-in-the-diet-ayurvedic-view-and-daily-needs
It’s not just about slamming vitamins down our throats to check off boxes on a nutrition chart. It’s about understanding how vitamins interact with our body’s energy systems and aligning that with our lifestyle and environment. For example, I’ve learned that certain vitamins, like Vitamin D, are especially important during the winter months, when sunlight is scarce, and our bodies need extra support.
One of the most impactful things I’ve taken away from Ayurveda’s view on vitamins is the idea of balance. While modern science might recommend loading up on certain vitamins for specific conditions, Ayurveda teaches that you should only take what your body needs based on your constitution and the seasons. It’s about not overloading but ensuring that your body gets what it needs to function at its best.
For instance, on Instagram I’ve been following Ayurvedic food influencers who share amazing vitamin-rich recipes, like spiced smoothies and seasonal vegetable dishes:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMNexBiPoCU/
The focus isn’t on getting a daily vitamin dose from pills, but instead on getting it from whole foods—foods that are balanced and in alignment with the seasons. In Ayurveda, there’s an emphasis on fresh, seasonal foods, and it’s incredible to see how easy it can be to get those vital nutrients from real food sources.
It’s also fascinating to see how Ayurveda connects not just the physical but the emotional aspects of vitamins. For example, this post on LinkedIn talks about how vitamins like B12 support both your nervous system and your mental clarity:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ask-ayurveda_in-ayurveda-vitamins-are-more-than-chemical-activity-7351604270892265473-Gbhs?
Ayurveda teaches that nutrition isn’t just about building stronger bodies but also about promoting mental peace and emotional stability. This shift in thinking has been transformative for me personally.
I also came across some great tips for boosting vitamin intake through Ayurvedic practices in a recent Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/885804900366149/posts/1059904439622860
They talk about the importance of mindful eating, slow digestion, and how that impacts the absorption of nutrients. It’s all about nourishing your body in a way that supports both your health and your lifestyle.
Pinterest is another great place for inspiration on this. I’ve found so many beautiful Ayurvedic recipe boards packed with practical ideas:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/895934919625543686
Even on Twitter, there’s been thoughtful discussion around natural vitamin sources and how Ayurveda helps modern people understand these nutrients in context:
https://twitter.com/1857364984759541760/status/1945838490127638625
Vitamins aren’t just chemicals to be consumed—they’re energy sources that can help balance our bodies. This has changed the way I look at my own vitamin intake and the types of foods I eat. The more I learn about Ayurveda, the more I realize how much attention we should be paying to what we consume—not just for our bodies, but for our minds and spirits, too.