Association of constitutional type of Ayurveda with cardiovascular risk factors, infl ammatory markers and insulin resistance.

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.