Role of Ayurvedic Principles in Addressing Malnutrition and Non-Communicable Diseases in Low-Resource Settings

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and malnutrition constitute a double burden in low-resource settings, where high out-of-pocket expenditure, inconsistent supply chains, and poor long-term adherence reduce the sustained impact of conventional biomedical interventions. This review critically examines Ayurvedic principles as a complementary, systems-based framework for addressing shared nutritional and metabolic determinants underlying both conditions. Drawing on conceptual foundations and available empirical evidence, the analysis evaluates how dietary regulation, digestive optimisation, lifestyle modification, and Rasayana-based preventive strategies can be operationalised using locally accessible foods, herbs, and community-level delivery models. Evidence from South Asian community programs indicates feasibility and relative cost-efficiency, although key limitations remain, including variable study quality, insufficient large-scale trials, and challenges in standardisation and regulation. Rather than positioning Ayurveda as an alternative to biomedicine, the review argues for integrative application aligned with WHO NCD prevention strategies and the Sustainable Development Goals. The review concludes that strategically integrating Ayurvedic preventive principles within existing public health frameworks may strengthen long-term adherence, reduce structural cost barriers, and improve sustainable prevention of malnutrition and NCDs in resource-constrained health systems.