Naturopathy Lifestyle Intervention: A New Dimension in HIV Care

Dear Editor:

National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune, established a “health home” (a residential facility providing free integrative healthcare, accommodation, diet, and vocational training) for HIV-positive individuals. It provides specialized asymptomatic clinical care comprising routine clinical monitoring and assessment, nutritional assessment and counseling, HIV prevention counseling (education on HIV transmission and risk-reduction behaviors), promotion of good personal and household hygiene, yoga practices and mild exercise, and naturopathic treatment modalities like massage, hydrotherapy, and mud therapy (pelotherapy). Hyperthermic water bath, a hydrotherapy modality, has shown to increase the CD8⁺ lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) cell counts. This has been attributed to the increase in somatotrophin production. ¹ Immunocorrective effects of mud therapy have been demonstrated in a clinical-immunological study. ² Findings support the role of massage therapy in immune preservation in HIV-positive children (significant increases in CD4, CD8, and CD25 cells were reported over a 3-month intervention of massage). ³ Yoga practices have shown to reduce fear, anxiety, ⁴ depression and stress along with enhancement in overall well-being. ⁵

We report the findings from an asymptomatic HIV-positive participant, a 40-year-old woman, who underwent naturopathic lifestyle intervention at this health home for 96 consecutive days. The participant was referred from a community care center based in Pune and after an initial screening for HIV and complications, she was admitted at the health home in Panchagani, Mahabaleshwar. Apart from moderate essential tremors primarily affecting her hands, the participant was asymptomatic.

She underwent a residential monitored naturopathic regimen consisting of a vegetarian diet served thrice daily (increased organic vegetables and fruits), therapeutic juices served twice daily (plant-based sources rich in phytosterols), specific yoga practices done twice daily (breathing exercises, relaxation and meditation techniques), and naturopathic treatment modalities twice per day, such as tub baths, mud applications, and massage. Personalized counseling sessions on HIV prevention, hygiene and sanitation, principles of healthy living, and naturopathic lifestyle were conducted on a weekly basis.

Apart from vital data, height, and weight, the basic hematology profile along with specific CD4/CD3 count (using BD FACS Count System) was recorded on the day of admission, after 1 week, after 40 days, and after 86 days of stay at the health home. The CD4:CD3 ratio increased from 0.297 to 0.379 and the hemoglobin percentage rose from 4.4 to 8.7. However, a total weight loss of 11 kg over a period of 14 weeks was noted. A detailed comparison is presented in Figure 1. The participant did not report tremors after the 61st day. The participant also showed positive changes in the quality of life and better mental health and developed a positive outlook on life (based on first-hand diary report of the participant).

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FIG. 1.

Changes following naturopathic lifestyle intervention over 86 days.

Recommending naturopathic treatment modalities and yoga practices along with lifestyle changes and counseling may have a positive impact on the health outcomes of HIV-positive individuals. Health homes like National Institute of Naturopathy Sanatorium can contribute significantly in improving the quality of life of HIV-positive individuals. Moreover, they can act as ideal “Pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) care” referral centers. Even after the initiation of ART, a naturopathic lifestyle intervention can be a strong adjuvant to conventional treatment since it does not involve the use of any form of internal medication, removing the possibility of drug interaction or side-effects.