Yoga as a strategy for controlling metabolic syndrome symptoms
Yoga enthusiasts, often called yogis, swear by its benefits for body and mind. But what's the science saying? A recent study took a closer look, focusing on how yoga can impact individuals battling metabolic syndrome.
Our reports at Medical News Today have shown intriguing possibilities of yoga enhancing overall health. For example, certain studies imply yoga cements cognitive function and brain health, soothes thyroid issues, and eases depression symptoms.
Wondering if yoga's magic wand can wave away all our problems? Well, most studies pointing towards these benefits are observational and can't declare causality, and only a few gazed at the underlying mechanisms.
Enter a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong, China. This research aimed to uncover the effect of yoga on cardiometabolic health.
Let's dive into the findings. The study demonstrated that yoga can help individuals with metabolic syndrome by reducing pro-inflammatory adipokines and increasing anti-inflammatory adipokine levels.
Metabolic syndrome is a precursor for type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Over half of the American adult population is believed to have this condition.
Dr. Siu and his team had earlier found decreased blood pressure and smaller waistline circumference among those who practiced yoga for a year. So, they delved into the long-term impact of yoga on people with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
The researchers split 97 participants into two groups — a control group receiving no intervention and a yoga group engaging in a 1-hour yoga session thrice a week for an entire year. They monitored both groups for adipokines, communication proteins released by fat tissue, influencing whether the immune system triggers an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response.
The study authors' summary shows the benefits, stating, "1-year yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokine in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure."
Dr. Siu explains, "These findings reveal the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, highlighting the significance of regular exercise for human health."
In simple terms, yoga could prove to be a beneficial lifestyle intervention, aiding in reducing inflammation and helping people grappling with metabolic syndrome to manage their symptoms.
- The science of yoga's impact on individuals with metabolic syndrome is being explored in studies, such as the one led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong, China, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
- This study demonstrated that practicing yoga can help reduce pro-inflammatory adipokines and increase anti-inflammatory adipokine levels in individuals with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
- Adipokines are communication proteins released by fat tissue, and their levels can influence whether the immune system triggers an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response.
- Regular yoga exercise, as shown by this study, could potentially be a beneficial lifestyle intervention for managing metabolic syndrome and related chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes and heart disease.
