Vipaka metabolism is also known as the post absorptive digestive process. In Ayurveda, it is stated that the initial stages of digestion prepares the food to be assimilated by the dhatus in the seven metabolic stages, which are collectively known as Vipaka metabolism. The process of digestion is not complete when the food passes the three significant zones of the gastrointestinal tract. The nutrients that result from Prakapa digestion are not in a form that can be absorbed by the dhatus. As each and every single dhatu has a different structure and function in the body, it demands its own metabolic process, the one that can transform the raw nutrients into a form that can be utilized for its particular nutritional requirements. Vipaka that is the post absorptive digestion starts once the nutrition are absorbed into the body from the area adjacent to the intestines. This phase of digestion continues the process of conversion through a fixed sequence of increasingly refined digestive process.
Each dhatu has its own metabolic dhatu that helps in converting the raw foodstuffs sent from the previous stage of digestion into precise nutrients that are needed by the body. Each of the seven dhatus gets nourished in the same sequence that is in the way it develops in the body. In Ayurveda, it is stated that Prakapa metabolism transforms the food into a particular form that can be acted upon by the doshas. It is the rasa metabolism that starts the Vipaka metabolism in the body and it produces that substance which is capable of sustaining the rasa dhatu that comprises the nutrient fluid and plasma. Rasa metabolism chooses those parts of the processed food stuff that will have a nourishing effect. Kapha is responsible for binding together whatever is inoperative and the Vata takes it back to the gastrointestinal tract for exclusion as mala. Rasa dhatu only absorbs that much portion of the food which is required by the body for nourishment.
Each dosha plays a significant role in the entire process of Vipaka digestion and each of them works in precise coordination with the other two in order to successfully accomplish this digestive process. Vipaka digestion ends when all the physical substances and the structures of the body have already received enough nourishment. The final stage of this metabolic process takes place in Shukra dhatu and it forms `ojas` that represents the essence of the entire digestive process. According to the concepts of Ayurveda, it is the factor that is responsible for the body`s immunity to diseases. Ojas also allows every cell in the body to function in direct communication with the nature`s limitless intelligence. It also generates coordination and harmony among the major aspects of human life.
Ayurveda always places huge emphasis on efficient and strong digestion because of its vital importance for physical well being. It states that healthy digestion is required for connecting the parts of life to their basis. Any minor breakdown in the activities that nourish dhatu will inevitably weaken the health of the dhatus in the developmental process.
Vipaka metabolism in the digestion is really significant as it helps in maintaining a balanced relationship among the body`s innate healing intelligences.
