Yoga as a potential aid for managing metabolic syndrome
Yoga practitioners, often referred to as yogis in the Western world, have long touted the health benefits of the practice. However, scientific evidence substantiating these claims is necessary. A recent study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports and led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong, examined the impact of yoga on individuals with metabolic syndrome and the underlying mechanisms.
Previously, the research team found lower blood pressure and a smaller waist circumference among those who practiced yoga for a year. In the new study, they wanted to investigate the effect of a year of yoga on people with metabolic syndrome.
The researchers randomly assigned 97 participants with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure to either a control group or a yoga group. While participants in the control group received no intervention, those in the yoga group underwent weekly 1-hour yoga sessions for a year.
The scientists also monitored the participants' sera for adipokines, signaling proteins released by fat tissue that affect the immune system's inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response.
The study revealed that 1-year of yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in individuals with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. In simpler terms, yoga favors a decrease in inflammation, potentially improving the management of metabolic syndrome.
In the United States, nearly one-third of the adult population is estimated to have metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. These findings suggest that yoga could be a valuable lifestyle intervention for managing metabolic syndrome symptoms.
Dr. Siu commented on the study's results, stating, "These findings provide insights into the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise for human health."
It is worth noting that regular yoga practice may reduce chronic stress, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, leading to decreased inflammation, especially for those with metabolic syndrome.
As more research is conducted and validated, the mechanisms behind the anti-inflammatory effects of yoga on metabolic syndrome will become clearer, potentially paving the way for more tailored interventions to improve patient outcomes.
- The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, revealed that a year of yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in individuals with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
- Dr. Siu, the lead researcher of the study, stated that these findings provide insights into the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise for human health.
- Regular yoga practice may also contribute to managing metabolic syndrome symptoms, as more research suggests it can reduce chronic stress, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, and improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity, leading to decreased inflammation.
- As research progresses and validations accumulate, the mechanisms behind the anti-inflammatory effects of yoga on metabolic syndrome will become clearer, potentially paving the way for tailored interventions to help manage medical conditions related to metabolic disorders and chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
