Research suggests that yoga can help relieve stress and reduce symptoms in a range of chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, AIDS, cancer, and Crohn's disease. Now a review reports that yoga may reduce the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, a group of health problems linked to heart disease and diabetes, is rising at an alarming rate in the US and Europe. The symptoms of metabolic syndrome include obesity (especially around the waist), high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when the body can't effectively use insulin (the hormone that controls blood sugar). Individuals with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes
The review, published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, analyzed 70 studies from 1970 to 2004 on the effects of yoga on metabolic syndrome. The reports indicate that yoga practice improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, body weight, blood pressure, oxidative stress and cardiovascular function.
The researchers found that yoga increased insulin sensitivity by 19 percent and lowered cholesterol by 25 percent. Findings also revealed that yoga reduced body weight by 13.6 percent.
"Collectively, these studies suggest that yoga may reduce many insulin resistance syndrome (IRS)-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), may improve clinical outcomes, and may aid in the management of CVD and other IRS-related conditions," the study authors write. "However, the methodologic and other limitations characterizing most of these studies preclude drawing firm conclusions. Additional high quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm and further elucidate the effects of standardized yoga programs on specific indices of CVD risk and related clinical endpoints."
REFERENCES:
1. Innes KE et al. Risk indices associated with the insulin resistance syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and possible protection with yoga: a systematic review. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2005 Nov-Dec;18(6):491-519.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on February 9, 2007 03:42 PM
