Yoga may aid in controlling metabolic syndrome symptoms.
Yoga, often referred to as 'yogis' in the Western world, has long been praised for its health benefits. But what does science say? A recent study investigation sheds light on the impact of yoga on individuals with metabolic syndrome.
At Medical News Today, we've reported on numerous studies demonstrating various health advantages of yoga. For instance, some research suggests yoga enhances brain health and cognition, alleviates thyroid problems, and eases depression symptoms. It is also believed to help men manage prostate issues and erectile dysfunction, while offering diabetes sufferers symptom management assistance.
Although the majority of these studies are observational, meaning they don't establish causality, and few explore the underlying mechanisms, a new study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports offers insights. Led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong in China, this study investigates the impact of yoga on cardiometabolic health.
The study uncovered that yoga significantly benefits individuals with metabolic syndrome, and it revealed the mechanisms behind these advantages.
Yoga diminishes inflammatory response:
Metabolic syndrome, frequently associated with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, tends to affect a significant portion of the adult population in the United States. Dr. Siu and his colleagues previously found lower blood pressure and a reduced waist circumference among those who practiced yoga for one year. In this new study, they aimed to explore the effects of one year of yoga in people with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
To that end, researchers randomly assigned 97 participants suffering from metabolic syndrome to either a control group or a yoga group. Participants in the control group did not receive any intervention but were contacted monthly to monitor their health status. In contrast, participants in the yoga group underwent a year-long yoga training program, including three one-hour sessions per week.
Researchers also tracked participants' blood for adipokines – signaling proteins released by fat tissue, activating either an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory immune response.
The study authors summarize their findings, stating, "[The] results demonstrated that one-year yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokine in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure." They add, "These findings support the beneficial role of yoga in managing metabolic syndrome by favorably modulating adipokines."
The results hint that yoga could be a valuable lifestyle intervention, helping to decrease inflammation and aiding those with metabolic syndrome in managing their symptoms.
Dr. Siu also comments on the study's results, saying, "These findings help to reveal the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, which underscores the importance of regular exercise for human health."
Additional findings:
The study's findings align with previous research indicating that yoga practices can influence the autonomic nervous system, reduce stress, and potentially affect gut health. More specifically, yoga is known to enhance vagal tone, reduce inflammation through stress management, and impact the gut-brain axis.
These findings underline the potential of yoga as a holistic approach to managing metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise and a balanced lifestyle for overall health. Further research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications of yoga on metabolic health.
- The study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports discovered that yoga, when practiced for a year, significantly decreases proinflammatory adipokines and increases anti-inflammatory adipokines in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
- This research suggests that yoga, as a holistic approach, could play a vital role in managing metabolic syndrome by modulating adipokines and thereby reducing inflammation.
- Apart from impacting adipokines, yoga has been associated with influencing the autonomic nervous system, reducing stress, and potentially affecting gut health, as previously reported in scientific studies.
- Future research is required to completely understand the long-term effects of yoga on metabolic health, highlighting its potential role in addressing chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes and metabolic disorders.
