ABSTRACT
Context: Ayurveda propounds that diseases manifest from imbalance of doshas. There, have been attempts to indicate biochemical basis of constitutional types described in Ayurveda. Aims: The study was intended to assess the association of constitutional types (Prakriti) with cardiovascular risk factors, infl ammatory markers and insulin resistance in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD). Settings and Design: Hospital based cross sectional study. Materials and Methods: Three hundred patients with CAD >25 years were studied. Assessment of Prakriti was done by using Ayusoft software. Biochemical parameters, infl ammatory markers (hsCRP, TNF-alpha and IL-6) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. Statistical Analysis: Was done using EPI INFO, version 3.5.3. Results: Mean age of patients was 60.97±12.5 years. Triglyceride, VLDL and LDL was signifi cantly higher (P<0.0001, P<0.0001 and 0.0355, respectively) and HDL cholesterol (P<0.0001) signifi cantly lower in vatta kapha (VK) Prakriti when compared with other constitution type. VK Prakriti was correlated with diabetes mellitus (r=0.169, P=0.003), hypertension (r=0.211, P≤0.0001) and dyslipidemia (r=0.541, P≤0.0001). Infl ammatory markers; IL6, TNF alpha, hsCRP and HOMA IR was highest in VK Prakriti. Infl ammatory markers were correlated positively with both VK and Kapha group. Conclusions: There is strong relation of risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia), insulin resistance, and infl ammatory markers with Vata Kapha and Kapha Prakriti.
ABSTRACT
Iron supplementation programs using pediatric tablets or drops have not been successful in the control of anemia amongst infants and children in India. Sprinkles is an innovative multi-micronutrient home fortification strategy to control iron deficiency and anemia. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the hematologic response to different doses and forms of iron in Sprinkles and iron drops. SETTING: Twenty two villages of Vadu Rural Health Program, KEM Hospital, Pune. DESIGN: Double blind clustered randomized community-based trial. SUBJECTS: Children (n=432) aged 6 to 18 mo age with Hb between 70 to 100 g/L were enrolled. METHODS: Selected villages were randomized into 5 groups: Sprinkles 12.5, 20 or 30 mg ferrous fumarate, Sprinkles 20 mg micronized ferric pyrophosphate or drops 20 mg ferrous glycine sulphate (DROPS) for 8 weeks. Household socio-demographic information was collected at baseline. Side effects and compliance were monitored through weekly visits. Hemoglobin was estimated at baseline, 3 and 8 weeks. Ferritin was assessed at baseline and 8 weeks. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar across all groups. Hemoglobin increased significantly (P<0.0001) in all groups at 8 weeks with no difference between groups. Ferritin increased (P<0.0001) significantly in all groups with no difference across the groups. Compliance (overall range: 42 to 62 %) was lowest for DROPS. Side effects were significantly higher among DROPS compared to Sprinkles (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sprinkles 12.5 mg FF dose is as efficacious as higher doses of iron in Sprinkles or DROPS in increasing hemoglobin. Sprinkles FF 12.5 mg is recommended as it has fewer reported side effects and better compliance compared to DROPS.