RESUMO
Background: Recent research indicates prolonged fasting for more than 7 days is beneficial in priming the vitamin D metabolism. However, methodological limitations in previous studies, such as insufficient sample size and a lack of control group, limits its generalizability. The present study evaluated the impact of prolonged fasting (10 days) on vitamin D, vitamin B12, body mass index (BMI), weight, hemoglobin, vitality and quality of life (QoL) compared to a normal diet. Methods: This randomized control trial was conducted in an in-patient private yoga and naturopathy setting between February and April 2022. A total of 52 participants (mean age 51.57 ± 13.67 years) with varying medical conditions were randomized into a fasting group (FG) or a normal diet group (NDG) with 26 participants in each group. The FG was on a fasting diet (500 kCal/day) which included holy basil herbal tea, lemon honey water, and water (3 L). The NDG (1500 kCal/day) consumed a routine diet that included Indian bread, pulses, steamed rice, vegetable salads, and beverages. Results: The FG has shown significant increase in the Vitamin D levels (P = .003, d = 0.475), vitality (P = .006, d = 0.425), physical QoL (P < .001, d = 0.549), psychological QoL (P = .002, d = 0.488), and environmental QoL (P = .004, d = 0.457) compared to NDG. No significant changes were observed in vitamin B12, weight, BMI, haemoglobin, and social QoL. A weak to moderate (ρ = 0.330-0.483) positive correlation was observed between vitality scores and QoL domains, whereas BMI scores showed an inverse correlation (ρ = -.280) with vitamin D levels. Conclusion: The results suggest that prolonged fasting for 10 days can improve vitamin D levels, improve vitality, and promote quality of life compared to a normal diet. Unlike previous studies, the FG does not differ from the NDG concerning weight and BMI. Nevertheless, fasting may be utilized as an effective tool to tackle vitamin D deficiency and associated health insufficiencies.
RESUMO
Acupuncture is one of the most-utilized forms of integrative medicine therapy across the globe, owing to this modality's wide range of therapeutic benefits. The history of acupuncture use in India is 3000 years old; however, the first documented use of acupuncture in India emerged in 1959. Presently, acupuncture is included as an independent therapy in the yoga and naturopathy (Y&N) category, an indigenous system of medicine under the purview of the Ministry of Ayurveda, Y&N, Unani (Perso-Arabic Medicine), Sidha (Indian Medicine), and homeopathy (AYUSH), and Sowa-Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine), of the government of India. Acupuncture has been taught to Y&N medical graduates through state-run medical universities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels since 1989 and 2014, respectively. In addition, there are many short-term courses on acupuncture offered by nonmedical universities and academies. Y&N physicians are licensed to practice acupuncture in many states of India; however it is practiced by physicians of other medical systems as well as by nonlicensed practitioners. This is largely due to the nonuniform and flawed regulatory framework of acupuncture practice in India. The government of India, through a task force, is exploring the possibility of recognizing acupuncture as an independent system of medicine and regulating its practice. While the status of acupuncture and its use among integrative medicine physicians has definitely grown in the past 5 decades, the challenges-rooting out quackery, ensuring rigorous training, empowering existing practitioners, maintaining global standards, defining the scope of practice, etc.-warrant an unbiased and firm approach to safeguard acupuncture's scientific and academic rigor.
