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BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to determine the effects of prolonged fasting (10 days) in the vitamin D, B12 levels, body mass index (BMI), weight, hemoglobin, vitality and quality of life (QoL) compared to normal diet.MethodsThis randomized control trial included 52 participants (aged 19-74 years) randomized in to a fasting group (FG) or a normal diet group (NDG) with 26 participants in each group. The study was conducted at an in-patient setting where the FG were on a fasting diet (500 kCal/day) which included holy basil herbal tea, lemon honey juice and water (3 L). The NDG (1500 kCal/day) consumed routine diet that included Indian breads, pulses, steamed rice, vegetable salads and beverages.ResultsThe FG has shown significant increase in the Vitamin D levels (p=0.003, d=0.475), vitality (p=0.006, d=0.425), physical QoL (pDiscussionThe results suggest that prolonged fasting can improve the vitamin D levels, vitality and promote quality life compared to normal diet. Unlike previous studies FG does not differ from NDG with respect to weight and BMI. Nevertheless, fasting may be utilized as an effective tool to tackle vitamin d deficiency and associated health insufficiencies.Trial RegistryClinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2022/02/040446.

Highlights • Ozone therapy as an adjuvant care can shorten hospitalization and need for intensive care. • Ozone therapy enhances the quality of care in COVID-19 by exhibiting immune-modulatory effects. • Ozone therapy as an adjuvant therapy is safe and effective in COVID-19 care . • Ozone therapy relieves cardinal symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 like breathlessness, cough etc., Introduction The Corona virus disease 19 (COVID-19) has accounted for multiple deaths and economic woes.While the entire medical fraternity and scientists are putting their best feet forward to find a solution to contain this deadly pandemic, there is a growing interest in integrating other known alternative therapies in to standard care. This study is aimed at evaluating the safety and efficacy of ozone therapy (OT), as an adjuvant to the standard of care (SOC). Methods In the current randomized control trial, 60 patients with mild to moderate score NEWS score were included in two parallel groups (n=30/group). The interventional group (OZ) received ozonizedrectal insufflation and minor auto haemotherapy, daily along with SOC, while the control group (ST) received SOC alone. The main outcome measures included changes in clinical features, oxygenation index (SpO2), NEWS score, Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), inflammatory markers, requirement of advanced care, and metabolic profiles. Results The OZ group has shown clinically significant improvement in the mean values of all the parameters tested compared to ST Group. However, statistical significant were only observed in RT-PCR negative reaction (P=0.01), changes in clinical symptoms (P

Background: Multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a growing public health threat. Oxidative stress is reckoned as one of the rate-limiting steps in the progression of TB. Oxidative stress increases the level of tissue injury and organ damage. The use of medical ozone therapy is gaining popularity due to its anti-microbial property and its homeostatic potential. Objectives: The present study investigates the role of ozone therapy in boosting the antioxidant status of MDR-TB patients. Methods: Medical Ozone therapy was given through rectal insufflations for 21 days in seven MDR-TB patients (five males and two females) who were under anti-Koch Treatment-4 were enrolled after obtaining written consent. The sessions were spaced out at a rate of three sessions per week. Blood serum and plasma samples were collected from the patients at the baseline and at the end of the 21st session to assess the antioxidant status of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) and other biochemical parameters. Results: Statistically significant rise was observed in SOD (P = 0.028), but not in GR (P = 0.058). No other biochemical profiles showed any statistically significant change except for a reduction in serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (P = 0.026). Participants also expressed subjective improvement in their mental status. However, we have not used any validated scales to record their mental status. Conclusions: The present study suggests that ozone can be a promising medium in tackling the oxidative stress and enhancing the positive mental attitude in ailing MDR-TB patients. Therefore, it can be considered as adjuvant therapy in treating MDR-TB. However, there are major limitations like smaller sample size and lack of control group. Large scale randomized trials are warranted.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an infection that poses a great threat to both developed and developing countries. Health facilities offering complementary care, along with standard care, have been considered as a useful strategy to overcome the burden of HIV and promote quality and wellbeing among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). In this report, we make reference to seven participants diagnosed with HIV, who underwent naturopathy and yoga based lifestyle intervention (NYLI), for varying durations, at a sanatorium for PLWHA. The cases suggest that NYLI functions as an adjuvant therapy that complements standard care, improves adherence and promotes health-related outcomes in HIV affiliated clinical markers, such as haemoglobin, weight and CD4+ counts. However, further controlled trials are required to establish warranting evidence.

Fasting is a therapeutic tool practiced since millennia by different cultures and medical systems heterogeneously. PubMed and Google Scholar search engines were searched using the keywords "fasting," "intermittent fasting," "calorie restriction," "women's health," "women's disorders," "fasting and aging," and "fasting and health." All the animal and human studies which address women's health and disorders were included in the review. Fasting has shown to improve the reproductive and mental health. It also prevents as well as ameliorates cancers and musculoskeletal disorders which are common in middle-aged and elderly women. The present studies available have limitations such as majority of the studies are preclinical studies and human studies are with lesser sample size. Future studies should address this gap by designing medically supervised fasting techniques to extract better evidence. Nevertheless, fasting can be prescribed as a safe medical intervention as well as a lifestyle regimen which can improve women's health in many folds.

Background Naturopathic medicine uses starch-fortified turmeric baths (SFTBs) [i.e. a mixture of rice starch and turmeric (Curcuma longa)] to treat psoriasis. This study set out to understand the effects of SFTBs on psoriasis. Methods The study used a parallel-group RCT design. Seventy-seven patients were screened of which 60 psoriatic patients were recruited. The inclusion criteria were people with psoriasis, aged between 20 and 60 years, not taking any medications and without open lesions. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups of 30. The intervention arm (IA) received SFTBs along with naturopathy interventions whereas the control arm (CA) received naturopathy interventions only (e.g. massage, yoga, hydro, diet therapy). The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index was completed at baseline and post-intervention (day 10). Results A mixed-ANOVA was conducted to compare scores within and between groups. There was a significant main effect for time [Wilks's λ=0.27, F(1, 58)=153.94, P

Background The WHO rates hypertension (HTN) as one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide. HTN is directly responsible for 57% of all stroke deaths and 24% of all coronary heart disease (CHD) deaths in India. Objective The study was aimed to determine the effects of manual acupuncture stimulation of a modified protocol of four points versus slow (yogic) breathing to obtain a decrease in blood pressure immediately on hypertensive subjects. Methods 46 subjects out of 127 were recruited for the study and divided in to two groups. Out of which 38 people successfully completed the study. The eligibility criteria were: Both sexes, age between 35 and 60 years, diagnosed with hypertension at least 3 years or less, without systemic complications and no prior experience of acupuncture. There Pre and Post Intervention Blood pressure was taken as an outcome measure. Results Slow breathing group showed a significant reduction in the systolic component of the blood pressure (p 0.5). Conclusion The results of the present study suggests that yogic breathing practices decreases the systolic components of the blood pressure whereas the acupuncture group is effective in reducing the diastolic component of the blood pressure.

Enhancing the immune response is the primary goal of all HIV interventions. Naturopathy lifestyle modification is an area to be explored while imparting HIV care to people living with HIV/AIDS. These are rational practices based on the principles of elements of nature and their interaction with our immune system to provide a positive promotion of health. This chapter discusses the role of lifestyle modification and the ideology behind integrating these practices with the existing HIV care model. It will throw light on the various regimens and mechanisms that presumably boost immune responses in the naturopathic lifestyle for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the most debilitating conditions which have affected nearly 32 million people across the globe. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the standard care given to the HIV positive individuals. But the patient adherence to ART is found to be very less as per previous studies. Complementary and alternative medicine is becoming a pillar in the rehabilitative efforts for many living with HIV/AIDS. Aim: To evaluate the effect of naturopathy and yoga intervention on CD4 counts of HIV patients. Methods: Ninety-six patients prediagnosed as HIV positive were enrolled after obtaining written consent and treated with naturopathy and yoga interventions like hydrotherapy, diet therapy, mud therapy, counseling, etc., for various durations at National Institute of Naturopathy Sanatorium. They were grouped into four groups (G1: 1-7 days, G2: 8-15 days, G3: 16-30 days, G4: >30 days) based on duration of stay. CD4 count of each individual was recorded pre- and post-stay. Results: All analyses were conducted using R package version 3.01. Dependent sample t-tests were conducted to examine the significance at 95% confidence interval. Of the 96 patients, male patients constitute 55.2% and female patients 44.8% with mean age 34.74 received 1-180 days (mean 28.75, standard deviation: 14.16) treatment. Significant increase in the CD4 count was observed in two out of the four groups (G2: P = 0.052, and G4: P = 0.00038, respectively). Conclusion: An increasing trend in the CD4 count was observed that was proportional to the length of the stay of participants at the HIV sanatorium. This indicates the possibility of lifestyle changes can bring positive outcomes in people living with HIV/AIDS when used as an adjuvant with ART care. The lack of control group is a major limitation of this study. No attempt was made to study the subjective changes in the quality of life, viral load, etc., However, larger controlled studies are warranted for conclusive results.

Primary health care is a vital component in health care delivery. Non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) are rising like a major threat to human survival, which is expected to account for 75% of the total mortality by 2030. Lifestyle and behavioural changes are reckoned as the way ahead. Yoga and Naturopathy, a drugless system of medicine has intersecting paradigms which addresses all planes of health effectively. Yoga and Naturopathy through its holistic approach educate and make the people responsible for their own health. It has shown its efficacy in alleviating and preventing various NCD’s. A systematic approach should be initiated, which can channelize the integration of Yoga and Naturopathy at the primary care level considering its cost-effectiveness and efficacy over NCD’s.

Background Naturopathy is a traditional system of medicine that believes in the body's innate capacity to heal itself. In India, the philosophy and practice of naturopathy differs from that of other countries. Yet little is known about the practice and regulatory affairs of naturopathy in India. Objectives To explore the Indian perspective of naturopathy in terms of philosophy, practice, regulatory issues, challenges and future directions. Methods An online literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords ‘naturopathic medicine’, ‘AYUSH systems’, ‘naturopathy’ and ‘CAM in India’. Websites of universities and government bodies were also searched for details regarding regulation and registration. Unstructured interviews were conducted with eminent experts and local physicians via telephone and in person to understand the challenges in practice and their views on the standardisation of naturopathy. Results Naturopathic medicine in India is a purely drugless approach. Naturopathic physicians use diet therapy, mud, hydrotherapy, massage, acupuncture, chromotherapy, magnet therapy, acupressure and yoga therapy as their main interventions. Lack of appropriate regulatory bodies, research, uniformity in practice and adequate support from the government are the main issues facing the naturopathic community in India. Conclusion Naturopathy, as practised in India, is a drugless system that believes in the body's self-healing capability. The lack of solid evidence for many of its modalities indicates the need to offer adequate research training to professionals to assist them in building an evidence-based practice. The standardisation of naturopathy can only happen by forming a central regulatory council and by calibrating its educational standards with respect to traditional philosophies.

Hormonal imbalances are common among the women who are in the halfway of their reproductive age. There are lot of factors like stress, diet, lifestyle etc. which contributes to this hormonal dysfunctions. However these factors are merely addressed by the existing management strategies. A 37 year old female presented with hypothyroidism and associated hyperprolactinemia had undergone Naturopathy and yoga interventions for a period of 18 months. Her baseline TSH and prolactin levels were 9.2 U/ml and 34 ng/ml respectively. Her anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels also fell down to 0.3 ng/ml. Naturopathy and yoga based lifestyle interventions including hydrotherapy, mud therapy, yoga therapy and acupuncture were given for different durations has streamlined the hormone levels to normal range (TSH-4.6 U/ml, prolactin- 19.6 ng/ml, AMH-2.6 ng/ml). The results indicate that naturopathy and yoga has a positive role in reinstating the hormonal homeostasis. However large scale studies are warranted to bestow better care.

A 56-year-old man diagnosed in 2003 as having Hoehn & Yahr stage III Parkinson's disease (PD) came to our clinic in 2012 with slurred speech, right-sided bradykinesia, erectile dysfunction, rigidity, emotional instability and depression. His PD showed progressive signs with postural instability, moderate bilateral signs, and he rated 80% on the Schwab & England Activities of Daily Living Scale. A modified protocol of electroacupuncture was administered for a period of 5 weeks, six times per week, with each session lasting for 30 min. Assessments were based on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) items, a disease-specific measure of subjective health status. He showed improvement on the BBS, suggesting improved functional status. His quality of life showed improvement particularly on the ‘activities of daily living’, ‘cognition’ and ‘communication’ dimensions of the PDQ-39. Acupuncture treatments in animal experiments have generated valuable mechanistic insights that could be relevant to PD, for example, demonstrating its neuroprotective potential from stimulation of various neuroprotective agents. The literature also suggests acupuncture may play a role in the improvement of motor function and quality of life in PD. Acupuncture is tolerated well by individuals with PD and should be considered as an integrative approach for their symptomatic management.