Utilizing yoga for management of metabolic syndrome
Yo, check it out: Yoga enthusiasts, or as some call 'em, "yogis," are always singing its praises for the body and mind. But what's the science got to say about it? A new study sheds light on how yoga affects individuals with metabolic syndrome.
At Medical News Today, we've been reporting on studies showing how yoga could be nothing but good for our health. Some studies suggest it boosts brain health and cognition, helps tackle thyroid issues, and eases depression symptoms.
It's also been proposed that yoga could help men improve prostate size or combat erectile dysfunction, and even aid those with diabetes in managing their symptoms. Seems like yoga's a magic bullet, right?
Well, most of these studies are observational, meaning they can't establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Few have delved into the mechanisms behind the findings.
But a study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports and led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong in China, aimed to change that. This study aimed to dive deeper into the effect of yoga on cardiometabolic health.
The results showed benefits for people with metabolic syndrome. Moreover, the study discovered the underlying mechanisms behind these benefits.
Yoga decreases inflammatory response
Metabolic syndrome often leads to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In the U.S., approximately of adults are thought to have it.
Dr. Siu and his team had previously found lower blood pressure and smaller waistlines among those who did yoga for a year. So, naturally, they wanted to explore the impact of a year of yoga in people with metabolic syndrome.
To do this, they divided 97 participants with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure into a control group and a yoga group.
"The control group received no intervention, but we checked on their health status monthly," explain the researchers, "while the yoga group underwent a yoga training program with three 1-hour sessions each week for a year."
Researchers also monitored the patients' blood for adipokines - proteins released by fat tissue that signal the immune system to either inflame or soothe.
The authors of the study conclude, "[The] results showed that a year of yoga training decreased pro-inflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure."
"These findings support the beneficial role of yoga in managing metabolic syndrome by favorably modulating adipokines," add the researchers.
The study's results suggest that yoga could be a useful lifestyle choice, helping to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms for those with metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Siu comments on the findings, stating, "These findings offer insights into the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, which highlights the importance of regular exercise for overall health."
Other studies attribute the anti-inflammatory effects of yoga to reducing stress and cortisol levels, enhancing antioxidant defenses, modulating immune function, and improving insulin sensitivity, among other mechanisms.
However, for the specific mechanisms revealed by Dr. Siu's study, further details from the research publication or related reports would be necessary.
Yoga's effect on individuals with metabolic syndrome has been investigated, shedding light on potential benefits. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports discovered that a year of yoga training decreased pro-inflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. These findings suggest that yoga could be a useful lifestyle choice, helping to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms for those with metabolic syndrome. Researchers also noted that further details from the study or related reports would be necessary to understand the specific mechanisms at play.
