New Delhi: Recently, a new study has highlighted the effectiveness of Ayurveda. Scientists said that with its help, Ayurveda can play a big role in managing rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder and is affecting millions of people around the world. Let us tell you, this study has been done by a group of senior researchers from prestigious research institutes, including Arthritis Treatment and Advanced Research Center (A-ATARC), Department of Kaya Chikitsa, State Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Lucknow University; Center for Biomedical Research (CBMR), SGPGIMS Campus, Lucknow; Academy of Science and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad.

Dr. Sanjeev Rastogi says, "This study is important from the perspective of the possible change in pathology in case of rheumatoid arthritis when treated with Ayurvedic Whole System approach. It supports the Ayurvedic concepts where 'doshas' are brought back to normal by breaking down a disease complex."

The study, published in the PubMed-indexed research journal, Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medicine (JAIM), showed substantial improvement in key parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, including a significant reduction in Disease Activity Score-28 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, along with a reduction in the total number of swollen and tender joints.

First study on the management of rheumatoid arthritis

The research also explored the metabolic profile of rheumatoid arthritis patients, comparing them with healthy parameters. At the beginning of the study, rheumatoid patients exhibited higher levels of certain metabolic items, including succinate, lysine, mannose, creatine, and 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-HB), as well as decreased levels of alanine. However, after AWS treatment, these metabolic signatures were seen in healthy people.

According to the researchers, this is the first study that clearly demonstrates the clinical effectiveness of AWS in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Ayurveda not only alleviated the symptoms but also promoted a metabolic environment conducive to homeostasis, which may prove beneficial for rheumatoid arthritis patients in the future.