For the first time in the history of India's Antarctic expeditions and that of the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS) of the Department of AYUSH, a clinical study was conducted on a team of Antarctica expedition members to evaluate effects of certain ayurvedic food supplements in improving body immunity and ageing process. The analysis of clinical trial data is in progress and will be completed soon, it is learnt.

It is also for the first time the CCRAS is conducting clinical trials on an Ayurvedic food supplement.

The objective of the study is to generate scientific data to improve the nutritional requirements of the expedition members so as to combat the stress related complications and to analyze the factors involved in the aging process and its relation with 'Prakriti' of the human body.

Under the project, 'The effect of certain established Ayurvedic Rasayana, Food Supplement and Drink (Antarctica Tea and Antarctica Laddoo) on ageing process of Antarctic Expedition Members in cold climatic conditions,' a team of scientists led by Dr. Rajesh Sannd, research officer (Ayurveda) and Dr. Parveen Bansal, research officer (Bio-chemistry) of the CCRAS were among the Antarctica expedition during December last year.

The National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research of the Department of Ocean Development and CCRAS jointly executed the project.

Sources said the experiences from the various Antarctica expeditions in the last two decades had revealed that the scientists and other members of the expedition undergo environmental stress (cold), mental stress (isolation and some psychological factors), other miscellaneous stress like radiations, rhythms, etc.

These factors are supposed to suppress the immune system and enhance the aging process. Although there is provision of high quality nutritional diet to the members of the expedition, yet the scientific field lacks the data related to nutritional requirements in Antarctic climate.

Keeping in view of the unique strength of Ayurvedic Rasayana concept and the need of Antarctic expedition members, the CCRAS developed a special tea and laddoo for the clinical trials with potent ingredients having diversified effects of rasayana with immuno-stimulant and antioxidant actions, psycho physiological regulators, thermoregulation, adaptogenic activity, nutritive effect and appetizing action.