Effect of Ayurveda-based Dietary Modification and Panchakarma Therapy on Plaque Stabilization in patients with coronary artery disease – A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background: Lifestyle modification, particularly diet modification, has a significant impact on coronary artery disease (CAD) progression. Ayurveda, traditional Indian medical literature, provides a guide to a balanced lifestyle with detailed dietary instructions. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the Ayurveda-based diet kit on components of atheroma plaque: calcified and soft plaque, individually. Methods: This prospective, single-arm, multicenter study was conducted in January 2021–December 2021. Patients were assessed for demographic and clinical characteristics and underwent routine 128-slice multi-detector coronary computed tomography angiography with plaque volumetric analysis for CAD diagnosis and to reflect the extent of plaque deposition at the time of recruitment (baseline) and posttherapy. Patients were prescribed appropriate Panchakarma therapy and a high protein, low carbohydrate diet plan provided with the reverse diet kit that is known to have a high oxidative radical absorption capacity (64,000 units per day). Results: Out of 280 known CAD patients, 246 patients (mean ± standard deviation: 57.63 ± 9.82 years) completed the study. The mean weight and body mass index significantly decreased poststudy intervention. The mean total cholesterol, mean serum triglycerides, and the mean low-density lipoprotein were noted to be significantly and substantially lowered. The fibrotic plaque volume, the fibrofatty plaque volume, and the overall soft plaque volume were also significantly lowered. The mean total atheroma volume (baseline: 541.33 mm3 vs. end of study: 469.57 mm3) was found to be significantly lowered. Conclusion: This study provides an objective world evidence of the effect of Ayurveda-based diet as assessed by the currently available high-end diagnostic tools.