Got a yogi problem? Science says yoga could help!
Managing Metabolic Syndrome Through Yoga Practice
Ever heard of a yogi? Well, these folks swear by the benefits of yoga on body and mind. But what's the truth according to science? Let's find out, shall we?
We've been keeping tabs at Medical News Today on the wonders of yoga and its impact on our health. From boosting brain power and relieving depression symptoms to helping manage diabetes and overcome erectile dysfunction, it seems like yoga is the Jack of all trades!
But hold your horses! Most of the studies supporting these claims are observational, meaning they can't establish causality. And few have delved into the mechanisms that cause these effects.
But fear not, science marches on! A team led by Dr. Parco M. Siu from the University of Hong Kong dove into the impact of yoga on cardiometabolic health, specifically in those suffering from metabolic syndrome. Their findings were published in the esteemed Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.
Metabolic syndrome is a health condition often associated with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In the States, it's estimated that a whopping 34% of the adult population lives with it.
Dr. Siu's team had previously found that a year of yoga resulted in lower blood pressure and smaller waistlines for participants. So, they decided to investigate the effects of a year of yoga on people with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
For the study, they randomly divided 97 participants into a control group and a yoga group. Participants in the yoga group attended three, one-hour yoga sessions per week for a year, while those in the control group received no intervention aside from regular check-ins.
To measure the impact on inflammation, the researchers analyzed the patients' blood samples for adipokines - signaling proteins released by fat tissue that tell the immune system to mount an inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response.
And drumroll, please! The results? One year of yoga training reduced pro-inflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines for those with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure.
These findings suggest that yoga could be a valuable lifestyle choice for managing inflammation and improving the health of those with metabolic syndrome.
Dr. Siu chimed in on the results, saying, "These findings help to uncover the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, shedding light on the importance of regular exercise for overall health."
So, there you have it! Yoga could help reduce inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome, but for specifics on Dr. Siu's study, you might need to consult the original research publication or reach out to the good doc herself. Happy yoga-ing!
Science has delved into the impact of yoga on cardiometabolic health, investigating its potential benefits for individuals with metabolic disorders like metabolic syndrome. A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports found that a year of yoga training reduced pro-inflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory adipokines for those with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure, suggesting its value as a lifestyle choice for managing inflammation. Dr. Parco M. Siu, who led the study, highlights the importance of regular exercise for overall health.
In addition to its potential impact on metabolic disorders, yoga is also often associated with improved brain power, relief from depression symptoms, and the management of conditions such as type 2 diabetes and chronic diseases. However, it's important to note that most of the studies supporting these claims are observational, meaning they can't establish causality.
