Effect of an integrated naturopathy and yoga program on long-term glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: A prospective cohort study

Aim: Lifestyle is an important risk factor for increasing the prevalence of diabetes in the Indian population. In this study, we evaluate the effects of naturopathy treatment, salt-restricted low-calorie diets, and yoga in long-term glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal, two-arm cohort study, patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus referred from a tertiary care center undergoing a 3-month residential naturopathy treatment were compared with those undergoing only conventional management on glycemic control. Both fasting and postprandial blood glucose (PPBG) levels were assessed at baseline, 3 months following intervention, at 6 months, and 12 months from the study start. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni correction. Results: Naturopathy and yoga intervention significantly reduced PPBG levels (P < 0.001), glycated hemoglobin levels (P < 0.001), and reduced requirement for antidiabetic medications (P < 0.008) in the intervention group compared to controls. The effects were more profound immediately following intervention and lasted up to 6 months from the start of the study. Conclusion: The results suggest benefit with an intensive residential naturopathy-based lifestyle intervention program. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate the findings.