Effect of Medically Supervised Prolonged Fasting Therapy on Vitamin D, B12, Body Weight, Body Mass Index, Vitality and Quality of Life: A Randomized Control Trial.

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.

Medical Education, Practice, and Regulation of Acupuncture in India.

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, (Perso-Arabic Medicine), (Indian Medicine) and homeopathy (AYUSH), and (Tibetan Medicine) of the government of India.