Yoga for Managing Metabolic Syndrome: A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment
Yoga enthusiasts, often dubbed 'yogis' in the Western world, rave about the numerous benefits of their practice. But does the science back up their claims? A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports delves into this, exploring how yoga affects those with metabolic syndrome.
At Medical News Today, we've covered various studies hinting at yoga's potential benefits for brain health, cognition, thyroid issues, depression, prostate enlargement, erectile dysfunction, and diabetes management. However, most of these studies are observational, leaving questions about causality unanswered.
Dr. Parco M. Siu, from the University of Hong Kong in China, led a study investigating yoga's impact on cardiometabolic health. The results shed light on both its benefits and the mechanisms behind them.
The study found that a year of yoga decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. In simpler terms, yoga seems to decrease the body's inflammatory response, which could help those with metabolic syndrome manage their symptoms.
Dr. Siu and his team had previously discovered lower blood pressure and smaller waistlines among yoga practitioners. In this study, they wanted to investigate the effect of a year of yoga on people with metabolic syndrome.
For the study, 97 participants with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure were randomly assigned to either a control group or a yoga group. The yoga group attended three hour-long sessions per week for a year.
Adipokines, or signaling proteins released by fat tissue, were monitored in the participants' sera. These proteins trigger either an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response from the immune system.
The study's authors summarized their findings, stating, "1-year yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure." They added, "These findings support the beneficial role of yoga in managing metabolic syndrome by favorably modulating adipokines."
In layman's terms, yoga could be a valuable lifestyle intervention that helps reduce inflammation and manage symptoms for those with metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Siu also commented on the study's results, saying, "These findings help reveal the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, which underscores the importance of regular exercise to human health."
In essence, yoga might help decrease inflammation in adults with metabolic syndrome, potentially aiding them in managing their condition. However, for the most accurate information, consult the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports directly.
- Yoga's potential benefits for managing chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes and metabolic disorders are hinted at in various studies, but more research is needed to establish causality.
- A study led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong found that a year of yoga decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
- By favorably modulating adipokines, yoga could play a beneficial role in managing metabolic syndrome, according to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
- For individuals with metabolic syndrome, maintaining a regular yoga practice could potentially aid in reducing inflammation and managing their condition, as indicated by the study's findings.
