REINTERPRETING OJAS IN AYURVEDA: A CONCEPTUAL CORRELATION WITH SYSTEMIC GLUCOSE IN MODERN PHYSIOLOGY

Background: Ojas, as described in classical Ayurvedic texts, is considered the vital essence (Bala) responsible for sustaining life and health. Traditionally correlated with immunity, its qualities also resemble those of glucose, the primary energy substrate in modern physiology. This study aimed to explore the conceptual and functional overlap between Ojas and systemic glucose.

Objective:To critically reassess the traditional interpretation of Ojas and establish its functional and conceptual correlation with systemic glucose, thus proposing a broader physiological role beyond immunity.

Materials and Methods: A qualitative textual review of classical Ayurvedic texts including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya was undertaken. Commentaries and modern scientific literature concerning glucose metabolism, hypoglycemia, and diabetes mellitus were analyzed thematically.

Results: Parallels were observed between Ojas and glucose regarding developmental origin, energy metabolism, systemic distribution, depletion features, and disease analogies (e.g., Madhumeha and diabetes mellitus).

Discussion: The findings suggest that Ojas may represent a broader Ayurvedic concept encompassing metabolic energy, with physiological behavior akin to that of glucose, especially in energy regulation and disease states.