Yoga as a tool for controlling metabolic syndrome symptoms
Yo, let's dive into the scoop about yoga, AKA what those chanting, flexibility-seeking folks are always raving about – at least in the Western world, they're called "yogis." But what's the real deal? Science says it's not all just hot air!
Here at Medical News Today, we've been knee-deep in tales of studies showcasing that yoga’s benefits go beyond just stretching your spent hamstrings or calming your restless mind. From boosting brain function to combating depression, it seems yoga is a multipurpose powerhouse.
Rumor has it that yoga can even help guys withafrookie softies beat erectile dysfunction and aid prostate growth, and for people with diabetes, it can help manage symptoms. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, most of these studies are observational, ie, they can't draw definite conclusions about cause and effect, and few have explored the underlying mechanisms.
However, a brand-spanking-new study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, led by the cool cats at the University of Hong Kong, decided to get to the bottom of it all – investigating how a year-long sesh of yoga affects people with metabolic syndrome.
Hit the Mat and Tame Inflammation
So, what's metabolic syndrome? It's a condition linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and in the US, around 40% of the adult population is estimated to have it.
Prior research from the same badass scientists found lower blood pressure and a smaller waistline among folks who rolled with yoga for a year. So, in this banger of a study, they wanted to find out if a year of yoga could influence those with metabolic syndrome. They assigned 97 willing victims, er, participants, to either a control group or a yoga group.
The control group did bupkis, while the yoga crew attended three one-hour sessions every week for a whole year. The scientists also analyzed the participants' blood for adipokines, which are like secret messages from fat cells to the immune system – they tell it to either inspire inflammation or suppress it.
Here's the breakdown of their findings, "Results indicated that a year of yoga training decreased proinflammatory adipokines and boosted anti-inflammatory ones in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure."
The researchers concluded that yoga could be a nifty lifestyle choice that reduces inflammation and helps people with metabolic syndrome manage their symptoms.
Dr. Siu, the study's maestro, commented, "These results help us better understand the effect of long-term yoga on adipokines, further emphasizing the importance of regular exercise on human health."
So there you have it – yoga could be your secret weapon for managing inflammation and boosting cardiometabolic health, especially if you're dealing with metabolic syndrome. Get rolling, yogis!
- This study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, led by researchers at the University of Hong Kong, focused on individuals with metabolic syndrome and investigated the effects of a year-long yoga session on their inflammation levels.
- The research involved 97 participants, who were either assigned to a control group or a yoga group that attended three one-hour yoga sessions each week for a year.
- The scientists analyzed the participants' blood for adipokines, which are substances secreted by fat cells that can either stimulate or suppress inflammation within the immune system.
- The results of the study revealed that a year of yoga training reduced proinflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory ones in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure, suggesting that yoga could be a beneficial lifestyle choice for managing inflammation and improving cardiometabolic health in these individuals.
