Yoga as a means to control metabolic syndrome: Insights and practices to consider
Casual Yoga Guide for Those with Metabolic Syndrome
Yoga lovers never tire of singing the praises of this age-old practice, often referring to themselves as "yogis." But, has science really caught up with their enthusiasm? You bet! A recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports delved into the effects of yoga on individuals with metabolic syndrome.
Here at MNT, we've been keeping our eyes on numerous studies showing the various ways yoga might benefit our overall well-being.Results suggest that it could boost brain health, resolve thyroid trouble, and ease symptoms of depression. Men might even find relief from prostate issues or erectile dysfunction, while those with diabetes could better manage their symptoms with regular yoga practice.
But most of these studies are observational, meaning they can't establish causality, and few have explored the underlying mechanisms. This new study, headed by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong in China, shines a light on those mechanisms.
The research took a closer look at how yoga affects cardiometabolic health, specifically in people with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. Intrigued by their previous findings showing lower blood pressure and smaller waist circumferences among those who practiced yoga for a year, the scientists wanted to see whether ongoing yoga practice could benefit people with metabolic syndrome.
To find out, they enrolled 97 participants with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. They assigned half to a control group and the other half to a yoga group, who attended three yoga sessions per week for a year. By monitoring the participants' adipokines—signaling proteins released by fat tissue that tell the immune system to either boost inflammation or reduce it—the researchers discovered some exciting results.
Yoga Rewiring
Metabolic syndrome is a condition linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In the United States, it affects around half of the adult population.
The study revealed that consistent yoga practice over a year decreased inflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory ones in individuals with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. In other words, yoga seems to have a positive impact in managing the condition by favorably changing adipokines, which could help reduce systemic inflammation.
Dr. Siu, the study's lead author, commented on the findings, saying "These results provide a deeper understanding of the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, highlighting the importance of regular exercise for human health."
In short, this study sheds some light on how yoga could be a valuable lifestyle intervention for those with metabolic syndrome, potentially aiding in inflammation reduction and symptom management. If you're dealing with metabolic syndrome, giving yoga a shot could be worth the effort!
- The recent study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports indicates that yoga might benefit individuals with metabolic syndrome, particularly in managing their condition by favorably changing adipokines, which could help reduce systemic inflammation.
- Dr. Parco M. Siu, the lead author of the study, explains that the results provide a deeper understanding of the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, highlighting the importance of regular exercise for human health.
- In the United States, metabolic syndrome affects around half of the adult population and is linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
- Given these findings, incorporating yoga into a fitness and exercise routine, along with maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle, could be a beneficial approach for those managing metabolic syndrome, chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, and other medical conditions.
