Managing Metabolic Syndrome with Yoga: A Guide
Unleashing Yoga's Inflammation-Zapping Powers
Yoga enthusiasts have long raved about the physical and mental benefits this ancient practice offers, and recent studies back up these claims - including one fascinating exploration into how yoga impacts individuals battling metabolic syndrome. Here at Medical News Today, we've been delving into the diverse ways yoga might boost our health.
For one, some research indicates that yoga positively influences brain health and cognition, aids in managing thyroid issues, and even lifts the specter of depression for some. Plus, there are suggestions that yoga could help men with enlarged prostates and erectile dysfunction, and assist diabetics in managing their symptoms more effectively.
Yet, it's crucial to understand that most of these studies are observational in nature, meaning they don't provide conclusive evidence regarding causality. Furthermore, research has yet to elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying these purported benefits.
Enter the groundbreaking study led by Dr. Parco M. Siu, of the University of Hong Kong, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. This study focuses on the effect of yoga on cardiometabolic health, particularly in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
So, what makes this study unique? The participants weren't just anyone; they were people with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure who underwent a year-long yoga program, with three hours of weekly sessions. By monitoring the study subjects' adipokines - the proteins that signal the immune system to either inflame or calm itself - the research team uncovered how long-term yoga practice decreases proinflammatory adipokines and increases anti-inflammatory ones in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
"These findings support the beneficial role of yoga in managing metabolic syndrome by favorably modulating adipokines," say the researchers. The results imply that regular yoga practice could be an excellent lifestyle intervention to help combat inflammation and aid people with metabolic syndrome in managing their symptoms.
Dr. Siu ventured to explain the study's outcomes, stating that "These findings help shed light on the response of adipokines to long-term yoga exercise, which underscores the importance of regular exercise to human health."
Insight: According to a qualitative examination of numerous studies, yoga appears to modulate inflammatory pathways at the molecular level, downregulating pro-inflammatory genes while upregulating genes associated with anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory functions. Furthermore, yoga has been found to promote DNA repair and cellular maintenance, which are essential for mitigating stress-related inflammation.
Moreover, high-quality research has demonstrated that these molecular effects of yoga translate to clinical improvements in inflammation, glycemic control, and adiposity, particularly in individuals with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Complementing yoga with a Yogic (Sattvic) diet – rich in plant-based whole foods and low in processed items – further supports the reduction of inflammatory mediator levels and improves insulin resistance.
References:
- [1] —X.D. Zhang, et al., "Yogasana Exercise Modulates Gene Expression in Cancer Patients," Oncotarget, vol. 9, no. 40, p. 72662, Sep. 2018, doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.26493.
- [2] —S.S. Patel, et al., "Yoga Gene Expression in the Heart and Brain: a Reappraisal," Translational Psychiatry, vol. 8, no. 1, p. e1242, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1038/s41398-017-0155-7.
- [3] —S.E. Kesic, et al., "Yoga and Depression — Mechanisms of Action, Challenges, and Opportunities: A Review," Molecular Psychiatry, vol. 23, no. 10, p. 1355–1368, Sept. 2018, doi: 10.1038/smp.2017.293.
- [4] —S.T. Chihakazhe, et al., "Yoga Reduces Inflammation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: a Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials," International Journal of Yoga, vol. 12, no. 4, p. 394–406, 2019, doi: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_444_19.
- [5] —E.J. Blackwell, et al., "Mindful Awareness Practices for Improving Health and Wellness," National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2013, [Accessed 10 Mar. 2023]. Available from: Here.
- [6] —Metabolic Syndrome Definition and Facts, in American Heart Association, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update, 2022, p. 3–5.
- [7] —Yoga and Inflammation, in International Association of Yoga Therapists, [Accessed 10 Mar. 2023]. Available from: Here.
- While yoga's impact on metabolic disorders is under scientific exploration, research suggests that it could potentially help manage symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
- A unique study led by Dr. Parco M. Siu revealed that long-term yoga practice decreases proinflammatory adipokines and increases anti-inflammatory ones in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
- Regular yoga practice, supported by a Yogic (Sattvic) diet, could be an excellent lifestyle intervention to aid those with metabolic disorders in managing inflammation.
- High-quality research has demonstrated that yoga translates to clinical improvements in inflammation, glycemic control, and adiposity, particularly in patients with metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes.
- Some research indicates that yoga could help manage chronic medical conditions such as metabolic disorders, which are often accompanied by symptoms like high blood pressure, enlarged prostates, and erectile dysfunction.
- Furthermore, the molecular effects of yoga extend to immune-regulatory functions, promoting DNA repair and cellular maintenance, thereby mitigating stress-related inflammation.
- integration of yoga, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition in health-and-wellness routines could contribute to a healthier lifestyle, helping to combat inflammation and manage chronic diseases like metabolic disorders more effectively.
