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Bangalore, Karnataka, IND, 2008-09-22 15:18:15 (IndiaPRwire.com): AyurVAID Hospitals, a new generation hospital chain pioneering rigorous, process and documentation driven, classical Kerala Ayurveda medical services, today announced the formal opening of its hospital in Bangalore with in-patient facilities. It is Bangalore’s first facility of this scale, format and size.Bangalore’s first ever Ayurvedic medicare facility of it’s kind, the hospital with 30 beds, and all modern amenities, offers the full range of Ayurveda out-patient and in-patient medical services for treatment of serious medical conditions. The hospital is located off the Koramangala IntermediateRing Road towards its intersection with Old Airport Road, proximate to Dell.

Announcing the foray into Bangalore, Rajiv Vasudevan, CEO, AyurVAID Hospitals said, “There are many reasons why the entry of AyurVAID into the Bangalore market is a notable event. It is for the first time that a full fledged Ayurveda hospital in this scale and format has been set up outside of Kerala. With an outstanding team of physicians, includingtwoM.Ds in Panchakarma, complemented by a well trained nursing team, the AyurVAID Hospital in Bangalore shall offer gentle yet effective solutions for chronic illnesses and lifestyle disorders commonly found in Bangalore today. AyurVAID Hospital shall serve a growing section of society who wish to go beyond symptomatic relief andfor agentle medical solution that addresses the root cause of the illness for a long lasting solution. AyurVAID will serve to fill a significant gap in the medical services available to the people of this dynamic and vibrant city of Bangalore”.

Ganesh Subramaniam, CFO, AyurVAID Hospitals added “With several leading medical insurance third party administrators (TPAs) having accreditedAyurVAID Hospital, Bangalore, as a network hospital, medical insurance policy holders can avail of cashless facility for inpatientAyurveda medical care, subject to the underlying terms of their insurance policy.”

AyurVAID has many firsts that distinguish it - It adopts a rigorous, standardized and documentation-driven approach; it has a unique medical services model that appropriately integrates classical Kerala Ayurveda medical practice with contemporary medical science, and it is the first Ayurvedic hospital to be empanelled by leading TPAs as a network hospital thus making cashless hospitalization possible. Besides the rigorous 5-year education programs that include detailed study of the classical Ayurveda medical science, as well as essentials of modern medicine, surgery and pharmacology that Ayurvedic physicians undergo, AyurVAID further trains its’ professionals in its unique approach and business model.

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A landmark study, the first of its kind in the world, finds links between Prakriti, a fundamental principle of personalized medicine of Ayurveda, and modern genomics for development of predictive and personalized medicine. The study reveals that it is possible to identify groups within normal individuals of the populations, which could be predisposed to certain kind of diseases, and also might respond differently to drugs. Such integration of the principles of Ayurveda with genomics, appropriately termed as Ayurgenomics by the authors, holds great potential and promise for future predictive and personalized medicine at an affordable cost.

For the first time it has been demonstrated that normal individuals within the same ethnic population, clustered on the basis of clinical criteria described in Ayurveda, show variations in the basal levels of blood parameters used in routine for diagnostic purposes, as well as in basal levels of expression of genes.

Human genome sequencing and subsequent mapping of genetic variability has allowed us to identify genetic variations and patterns of variability across diverse global populations. India has also put systematic and concerted efforts to identify relatedness amongst the diverse Indian populations at genetic level. The first step in this regard was the CSIR led Indian Genome Variation Consortium project which provided the first genetic landscape of India. In this project, 55 distinct populations of India, classified on the basis of linguistic lineage and ethnicity from different geographical zones of the country, were found to cluster into five major groups of relatedness.

However, despite greater genetic similarity there was high inter-individual variability within each cluster. This inter-individual variability confers differential susceptibility to common diseases like diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease and differential drug responsiveness. Therefore, the next logical step was to identify groups within these related populations that are likely to be similarly predisposed or protected from the disease. According to Ayurveda, an individual’s basic constitution, Prakriti, to a large extent, determines predisposition and prognosis to diseases as well as suitability of preventive and curative regimen for the same. This study explored whether this ancient and documented system of Prakriti analysis could be correlated in modern biology terms.

For this purpose, more than 1000 individuals were screened, out of which 120 individuals of predominant prakriti were identified, and subsequently 96 unrelated ethnically matched healthy individuals with predominance of either Vata (39 individuals), Pitta (29) or Kapha (28) prakriti, belonging to an age group of 18 – 40 years with equal numbers of both genders (n=48 in each case) were recruited for further analysis. Blood sampling was carried out from these individuals following all ethical guidelines. DNA, RNA and serum were isolated and whole genome expression profiling, using H19Kv8 cDNA microarray as well as biochemical testing for 33 parameters used in routine testing was carried out to study whether these groups exhibit any differences. These subjects were all from North India and of Indo-European origin. The genetic background of the subjects was reconfirmed through analysis of genetic similarity with this group and populations of the Indian genome variation project. The subjects shared genetic affinity with the Indo-European populations of North India.

In this study, normal individuals of the three most contrasting Prakriti types, namely, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, were identified following clinical criteria described in Ayurveda in Indian population of Indo-European origin. It was observed that these Prakriti types exhibited differences at biochemical profiles like liver function tests and lipid profiles and hematological parameters like haemoglobin level etc. Differential gene expression was found in significant number of housekeeping and disease related genes. A significant variation in expression of genes related to metabolism, transport, immune response and regulation of blood coagulation etc. was also observed.

The results of the study conceptualized by Prof Samir Brahmachari, Director General, CSIR and led by Dr. Mitali Mukerji at the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology have been reported in the Journal of Translational Medicine recently (September 2008). There was intense involvement of Dr. Bhavana Prasher an Ayurveda expert and Dr. Sapna Negi a senior molecular biologist (senior authors of paper) along with a team of trans-disciplinary people that included Ayurveda doctors, molecular biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians and statisticians.

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PROPAGANDA AND MISINFORMATION AGAINST AYURVEDIC MEDICINES - SAYS DEPARTMENT OF AYUSH

Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has in a press release issued on 2.9.2008 has stated that the reports regarding Heavy Metals in Ayurvedic herbal medicinal products originating from South Asia and available in Boston South Asian grocery stores containing potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury and/or arsenic are flawed and disclose a strong bias against Ayurvedic medicines. The above article by Doctor Robert B. Saper of Department of Family Medicine, Boston Medical Centre and others published in the Journal of American Medical Association, August 27, 2008 is a rehash of his earlier article published in JAMA, December 15, 2004.

In Table 3 of his August 27, 2008 article Dr. Robert B. Saper et al have included even those herbal medicines in which Lead, Mercury, Arsenic is below the WHO permissible limits which discloses the bias of Dr. Saper and his team against Ayurveda medicines. The Department also mentioned a study of 600 medicinal plants samples collected by Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha in association with ITRC (CSIR) Lucknow Sriram Institute of Industrial Toxicology, New Delhi and Shastra University, Thanjavur, which disclosed that these Indian medicinal plants did not have Lead, Mercury, Arsenic above WHO permissible limits.

It needs to be emphasized that as per the directions issued by Department of AYUSH, herbo-metallic compounds are not being officially exported because of heavy metal concerns and only purely herbal Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicines are being exported from India with effect from 1st January 2006 after certification of heavy metals below the permissible limit by the manufacturing unit. Testing of heavy metals and other contamination in purely herbal Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani products is already a part of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) notified by the Department of AYUSH in 2003.

A project for Physico chemical characterization and toxicity studies of 8 widely used Bhasmas (Rasa Aushadhies) in CSIR laboratories found them to be non-toxic after 28 days toxicity studies. 90 days toxicity studies are underway. Supplementary Good Manufacturing Practices for Rasa Aushadhies have also been prepared of which draft publication has been done.

Department of AYUSH asserted that issues raised by Dr. Saper, howsoever flawed, will be responded to by Indian Scientists on the basis of their research on Ayurveda herbal and herbo-metallic medicines through research publications in due course.

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Dr.Robert B. Saper of Department of Family medicine, Boston Medical Center along with others had published an article in JAMA, December 15, 2004 “Heavy Metal Content of Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine Products” which on the basis of testing of 70 samples of herbal medicinal products collected from grocery stores of Boston Area for heavy metals concluded that one out of every 5 Ayurvedic Herbal Medicinal Products originating from South Asia and available in Boston South Asian grocery stores contains potentially harmful levels of lead, mercury and/or arsenic. This article was widely reported in the Indian print media. In spite of methodological infirmities in the study carried out by Dr. Robert Saper and his associates, the Department of AYUSH enforced mandatory testing for heavy metals in respect of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani herbal products being exported from India w.e.f. 1.1.2006. Testing for heavy metals and other contaminant in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani products is already a part of Good Manufacturing Practices notified in 2003.

A project for Physico chemical characterization and toxicity studies of 8 widely used Bhasmas (Rasa Aushadhies) was also sanctioned under the Golden Triangle Project which is being carried out by various laboratories of CSIR i.e. Indian Institute of Toxicological Research (IITR), Lucknow, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad. Under this project, one of the reputed manufacturers of Rasa Aushadhies was chosen for manufacturing of the selected Rasa Aushadhies as per the classical texts which were made available to CSIR laboratories for physio chemical characterization and their toxicity studies. On the basis of 28 days toxicity studies, all the 8 Rasa Aushadhies have been found to be non-toxic. 90 days chronic studies are under progress. CSIR would be getting the results of this scientific research published to set at rest doubts regarding the safety of Rasa Aushadhies prepared properly as per classical texts. Further, the work of finalizing SOPs for the various herbo metallic compounds (Rasa Aushadhies) used in Ayurveda has been undertaken by the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Committee of India. Supplementary Good Manufacturing Practices for Rasa Aushadhies have also been prepared of which draft publication has been done.
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Chandigarh: Punjab cabinet which met here Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has granted its approval to the setting up of Ayurvedic University in the State.

An official spokesman said that the University would be located in the foot- hills of the Shivalik range in Hoshiarpur district known for its rich and exotic fauna and flora. The district had been chosen since its soil is congenial for the growth of herbal medicine parks which were supplementary and complementary for the promotion of Ayush in Punjab.

The need for this university which would be only the 3rd in the world of its kind was felt in view of the growing awareness of alternative system of medicine to promote Ayush which covered Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani Siddha and Homeopathy apart from Ayurveda which were earlier popular in large number of states of our country have now caught global imagination with many countries of Asian, European and American continents evincing deep interest in these.

With growing popularity and wide acceptability of Ayurvedic and Yoga, India had now become a major medical Tourism Center for international tourists as a sizable chunk of Medical Tourists preferred Ayurvedic medicinal treatment as a traditional health care system.

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BANGALORE:  The Ayurvaid hospital Managing Director Rajiv Vasudevan said that after establishing two hospitals in Kerala, Ayurvaid hospitals has now finalized a national roll-out initiative, planning to have 40 Ayurveda hospitals integrated with modern medicine across the country.

He also said that, at present the Ayurvaid has a 15-bed hospital in Kochi & 60-bed one in Aluva & third one- a 25-bed facility is all set to be opened here. The few more hospitals are planned in the first phase over the next six- eight months it is also informed by Rajiv Vasudevan.

“We are looking at a mix of metros, tier-II cities and perhaps one tier-III city (for opening the five hospitals)”, Vasudevan told PTI here. “The goal is to have 40 hospitals (both company-owned and company-managed) in four years”.

Two-third of the proposed 40 hospitals would be 15-bed ones and the remaining 50-bed ones. “We will focus on bottom of the pyramid with 60 per cent of its capacity focused on poor patients”, he said.

Ayurvaid has received a Rs 4.5 crore funding from Acumen, one of the world’s largest fund for social ventures, with the latter picking up a minority state in the Ayurvaid, a division of Kerala First Health services Pvt Ltd.

He said that, this money is sufficient for expansion plans in the first phase, indicating that funds for the bigger roll-out thereafter would not be a problem. “There is active interest by a lot of people in the sector”, he said, also noting that establishing Ayurveda hospitals is not capital-intensive.

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Health and Fitness has now become one of the major concerns. Earlier humans used to hunt for their living, due to which their body had to undergo a lot of physical exercise. This made life active and alert.

Simple fitness exercises can help to have a fitter and healthy life. Stretching exercises can help in many ways in maintaining a fitter body. Weight loss can be achieved by following simple effortless regular exercises. Medical breakthroughs can happen by regular meditation and exercising. Yoga and other workouts which can be performed easily are available to keep you fit and healthy.

Health and Fitness can make all that difference in one’s life. Healthy living is all that one needs and to achieve that we picked up the best of the articles from reliable sources and have presented here in an organized manner. You might not be able to spend your valuable time on complicated medications and diet controls, but. you can find articles to help you have a better living using simple and easy techniques.

Ayurveda, a science in vogue practiced since centuries, uses a wide variety of plants, animal origin substances, mineral and metallic substances to rebalance the diseased condition in the sick. A few tips on simple treatment of life style diseases have been carefully picked for the visitors of this website. These tips can help reduce or control diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.

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Coimbatore: Ayurveda symbolized the best of India’s traditions for many people in the outside world and was seen as a relief from the regimen of Allopathic system of medicine, M K Narayanan, National Security Advisor, said here.

“Intrinsic to the new-found love for India among various countries was not mere growth rates or that we have a most inclusive society, or that we have a huge reservoir of highly trained people,” Narayanan said while speaking at an international Ayurvedic convention.

Indians are praised across the globe for what we have given to the world - fresh hope through the medium of Ayurveda, he said. Ayurveda offered hope for incurable diseases and has few, if any, side effects, he said, adding that it was safe and above all it has an answer for diseases that other systems of medicine cannot cure, he said.

Conveying the message of Union Health Minister, Anbumani Ramdoss to the convention, Narayanan said India has a certain comparative advantage in traditional medicine, and could take full advantage of the global resurgence of interest in complementary and alternative medicines.

Ayurveda, along with other traditional system like Siddha and Unani have proven strengths in prevention and management of chronic lifestyle-related, non-communicable diseases and diseases for which there were not effective drugs in the modern system of medicine, Narayanan said.

Department of AYUSH has been set up to provide focused attention to the development of education and research and ensure optimum utilization by bringing these systems into the mainstream and gainfully utilize the vast resources, including manpower, which existed in this sector, towards enhancing the outreach of the health care system and meet the unmet health needs of India’s population, he said.

AYUSH was determined to lay maximum emphasis on up gradation of educational institutions, quality control, and standardization of drugs, promote sustainability of raw materials and greater availability of medicinal plants through conservation, cultivation, research and development and generate awareness about the efficacy of these systems domestically and internationally, Anbumani has said.

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