We humans have an innate desire to better understand who we are and how we fit into the world around us. One approach is to study the three basic body types defined by Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world's oldest healing methods. Once we have identified our own body type, we can begin taking charge of our health, detecting and correcting imbalances before we get sick. The mind/body medicine exemplified by Ayurveda is the fastest growing category of alternative medicine in the United States, perhaps because it offers an intriguing antidote to today's fast-paced lifestyle. Certainly, it is a much more individualized approach than that offered by conventional medicine, with its increasing dependence on pharmaceutical drugs.
    To follow the principles of Ayurveda, we must first determine our constitutional type, or prakruti. While three basic types - Pitta, Kapha and Vata - control all the functions of the mind and body, each of us embodies varying amounts of all three types. The one that predominates, however, is considered your type. Let's begin with Pitta. (The other body types will be highlighted in subsequent articles on our February and March issues.)

Is Your Color Red?
Since Pittas are characterized by fire-like qualities, the color red is strongly associated with this type. The word intense best describes the Red personality. Pittas are straightforward in their thinking and speech, focused, decisive and organized. They have great mental stamina and love to take charge of projects, although they often expect others to implement their ideas. When out of balance, Pittas can be argumentative, aggressive, impatient or domineering. Emotional "heat" can throw them out of kilter, so this type needs a lifestyle program that includes plenty of exercise (including yoga and other relaxing workouts) and regular meals and sleep patterns, as well as spiritual enrichment to help keep them centered.
    In appearance, Reds have a medium body frame, well proportioned and athletic-looking. They tend to move purposefully and rarely waste time. Their hair color may be red or have reddish highlights, tends to be thin and may gray early or fall out during times of stress. Distinguished by freckles and moles, Pitta's skin is usually sensitive, tending to be toward the oily side but burning easily.
    Reds generally have good digestion and elimination, although they are prone to heartburn if they eat the wrong foods. Because this type tends to be hot, perspiring freely, Pittas prefer cold beverages and raw, cool or at least not hot - food even in cold weather. They love to eat but can be very disciplined about dieting. Since they gain and lose weight easily, Reds may fall victim "yo-yo" dieting.

Typical Conditions
Eating too many rich and hot, spicy foods or overindulging in alcohol, coffee, chocolate, meat and other animal products will likely give Pitttas heartburn. They may rely on antacids to solve this problem, when a change of diet and lifestyle would serve them better. Chronic indigestion may be the result of eating the wrongs foods or of simply eating too much!
    Reds are also prone to cardiovascular problems,including capillary fragility, atherosclerosis, heart disease and high blood pressure. Liver and gall bladder problems are common among this type as are vascular and lymphatic infections. Gingivitis, phlebitis, vasculitis (or inflammation of the blood vessels), bronchitis, appendicitis, colitis, diverticulitus and kidney and bladder infections are all Red conditions, which may also occur in the other body types if their Pitta element becomes more dominant.
    With sensitive skin, this type can develop rashes, hives, sunburn, acne, impetigo, eczema and skin cancer. Reproductive problems that may trouble Reds include low sperm counts, difficulty conceiving, heavy and prolonged menstrual periods and hormone imbalances, as well as anemia.

Eat the Right Colors
Primary fruits for this type are colored red, blue, violet, purple and black and are rich in polyphenols that can prevent diseases that typically afflict Reds. The best fruits include all kinds of berries, apples, cranberries, cherries, pomegranates, grapes, plums, figs, pink grapefruit and watermelon. Some of the vegetables that support Reds include radicchio, red bell peppers, rhubarb and, in moderation, all legumes, especially those that are red, pink or black in color.
    Not all red foods are recommended for this type, however. Tomatoes, for example are highly acidic and chili peppers are usually to hot. Fortunately, Reds do well with fruits and vegetables of other colors, including orange or yellow choices (pears, lemons, apricots, cantaloupe, mangos, oranges, pumpkin, sweet potato) and green tea and vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, green beans, peas, leafy green). In all, fruits and vegetables should ideally comprise half the Pitta diet.

    If you're a Red type, 40 percent of your plate should also contain tan foods: whole grains, pasta, rice and soy products. Pittas make the best vegetarians since cheese, cream, milk and eggs will likely cause digestive problems although yogurt and goat's milk products are often tolerated. Reds can also enjoy some white chicken meat, turkey and fish.
    Oily or greasy foods are the worst for this type's diet. Animal proteins and oils should make up no more than 10 percent of the daily menu. Red meat is too hot, energetically speaking, and shellfish too high in sodium for Pittas. Saturated and trans fats tend to clog the arteries making them particularly harmful to Pittas.

Herbs for Red Types
By using a plan that encompasses the phytochemicals in foods, spices and herbs, you can achieve a much healthier life, reduce aging, eliminate annoying conditions and prevent onset of disease. Culinary herbs and spices add zest, along with extra antioxidant protection to Reds' meals. While limiting salt, you can make food very palatable by seasoning with dill, cilantro, coriander, cumin, parsley, turmeric, peppermint, spearmint or wintergeen. Most other spices are too hot, contributing to imbalance. The three top healing herbs for Red types are:

• Andrographis (A. paniculata), which reduces inflammation, aids liver enzyme function, balances pituitary and adrenal function and fights infection.
• Turmeric (Curcuma longa), whose medicinal benefits include antioxidant, anticoagulant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity.
• Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), to revitalize circulation and reduce factors that contribute to heart disease.

Supportive Supplements
    Reds also benefit from dietary supplements, starting with a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral combination, along with green foods supplements. Since they don't tolerate tomatoes very well, Reds may want to consider taking lycopene, an important carotene, 1 capsule daily. Other supplements include vitamin C with bioflavonoids (up to 1,000 mg daily), grape seed extract or Pycnogenol (250 - 1,000 mg daily, resveratrol (10 mg daily), vitamin E (400 - 800 IU daily) with tocotrienols(5 - 10 mg daily), coenzyme Q10 (60 - 120 mg daily) and omega-3 fish oil (2,000 - 3,000 mg daily) along with evening primrose oil (180 mg daily).
    In addition, be sure to get 25 - 50 mg of each B vitamin, along with 400 mg of folic acid every day. Reds also need calcium (1,000 mg) and magnesium(750 mg) in an amino acid chelated formula, along with zinc and other trace minerals. §

Selected References:
♦ The Ayurveda Encyclopedia by Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha, Ayurvedic Holistic Health, 1998  ♦ "Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Rhubarb Stalk Fiber in Hypercholesterolemic Men" by V. Goel et al., Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 12/97  ♦ The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Vasant Lad, BAMS ($25, Harmony Books, 1998 : ♦ Green Tea: Antioxidant Power to Fight Disease by Debasis Bagchi, PhD ($3.95, Keats Good Health Guide, 1999)  ♦ "Turmeric: A Brief Review of Medicinal Properties" by R.C. Srimal, Fitoterapia, 1997  ♦ "Use of measurements to assess the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract..." by D.D. Caceres et al., Phytomedicine, 1999 

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No part of this article may be used for the promotion of product or services without the express written consent of the author. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice of a health care provider. Nor is it to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any condition.