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| Year : 2023 | Volume
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| Issue : 1 | Page : 118-119 |
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| “Eat the Rainbow” Approach in Chromotherapy |
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V Venugopal1, Deenadayalan Boopalan2, R Poornima3, K Maheshkumar4
1 Department of Yoga, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
2 Department of Naturopathy, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
3 Department of Yoga and Naturopathy, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
4 Department of Physiology, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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| Date of Submission | 16-Sep-2022 |
| Date of Decision | 13-Oct-2022 |
| Date of Acceptance | 13-Oct-2022 |
| Date of Web Publication | 17-Jan-2023 |
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How to cite this article:
Venugopal V, Boopalan D, Poornima R, Maheshkumar K. “Eat the Rainbow” Approach in Chromotherapy. J Conserv Dent 2023;26:118-9 |
We read the article “Effect of chromotherapy on the anxiety level in the patients undergoing endodontic treatment: A randomized clinical study” done by Saklecha et al., with great interest. Authors extensively used chromotherapy (CT) with particular reference to the field of dentistry. In addition, the authors highlighted the role of CT in anxiety in patients who undergoing endodontic treatment.[1] CT is a natural treatment modality widely used in the Yoga and Naturopathy system of medicine[2] wherein various colors in different forms are used in the management of various disease conditions and promotion of well-being.[3] In CT, colors are used in different forms such as colored food, clothing, solar-charged oils, and colored water. CT is also used in combination with other complementary and alternative therapies such as hydrotherapy and auriculotherapy.[3] Many scientific explanations have been put forth to explain the role of color, which are nothing but the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. On various physiological systems of the body, color light has an influence on human organisms mainly by (1) influencing the internal structure of the water which is a major component of the human and (2) by modulating neurohormonal pathways, precisely on melatonin and serotonin pathways.[4] We would like to highlight primarily the benefits of colored foods, the “Eat the rainbow” approach, mainly through the intake of more fruits and vegetables which are rich in phytonutrients. Different colored foods have different biological functions including protective effects against radiation, reactive oxygen species scavenging, and defense against pathogens and stress conditions.[5] Red foods (astaxanthin and lycopene) fight against inflammation processes and prevent chronic noncommunicable diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension). Orange food (carotenoids) also plays an essential role in maintaining male fertility by preventing sperm from oxidative damage. Beta-carotene which is present in orange color foods modulates estrogen metabolism, thereby lowering the incidence of breast and prostate cancer. Yellow foods (fibers and bioflavonoids) regulate gastric motility and modify gut microbial activity mainly Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, controls the activity of the cytochrome P450 enzyme which enhances the detoxification of toxins by the intestine and liver. Green color foods (leafy greens) reduce blood pressure, increase tissue blood flow, and enhance tissue oxygen utilization by promoting the bioavailability of nitric oxide thus positively reducing the complications accompanied by hypertension. Blue and purple foods are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols which play a vital role in learning, memory, and mood by modulating the brain-derived neurotrophic factor.[6] Thus, CT helps to manage and prevent diseases and promote health. At the outset, very limited evidence and awareness are available for CT. In the future, many studies are yet to be studied to validate the above mentioned effects of colored foods on various health conditions.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
 References | |  |
| 1. | Saklecha P, Kishan KV, Savaliya K. Effect of chromotherapy on the anxiety level in the patients undergoing endodontic treatment: A randomized clinical study. J Conserv Dent 2022;25:398-402.  [Full text] |
| 2. | Maheshkumar K, Venugopal V, Poonguzhali S, Mangaiarkarasi N, Venkateswaran ST, Manavalan N. Trends in the use of yoga and naturopathy based lifestyle clinics for the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Tamilnadu, South India. Clin Epidemiol Glob Health 2020;8:647-51. |
| 3. | Azeemi ST, Rafiq HM, Ismail I, Kazmi SR, Azeemi A. The mechanistic basis of chromotherapy: Current knowledge and future perspectives. Complement Ther Med 2019;46:217-22. |
| 4. | Radeljak S, Zarković-Palijan T, Kovacević D, Kovac M. Chromotherapy in the regulation of neurohormonal balance in human brain – Complementary application in modern psychiatric treatment. Coll Antropol 2008;32 Suppl 2:185-8. |
| 5. | Di Gioia F, Tzortzakis N, Rouphael Y, Kyriacou MC, Sampaio SL, Ferreira IC, et al. Grown to be blue-antioxidant properties and health effects of colored vegetables. Part II: Leafy, fruit, and other vegetables. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020;9:97. |
| 6. | Minich DM. A review of the science of colorful, plant-based food and practical strategies for “eating the rainbow”. J Nutr Metab 2019;2019:2125070. |
Correspondence Address:
Dr. K Maheshkumar
Department of Physiology, Government Yoga and Naturopathy Medical College and Hospital, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai - 600 106, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/jcd.jcd_511_22
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