Research conducted over four decades by SVYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru, has shown that a yoga-based lifestyle helps in management of diabetes.
A yoga-based lifestyle modification programme is similar to exercise-based life style modification in reducing blood glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, total cholesterol and VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein). Yoga is better than exercise in decreasing oral hypoglycemic medication requirement and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) in Type 2 diabetics, said R. Nagarathna, director, Standing Research Committee at SVYASA, on Wednesday.
Ahead of World Diabetes Day, which is observed on November 14, Dr. Nagarathna said several papers on studies relating to the role of yoga in patients with Type 2 diabetes undertaken by SVYASA have been published in peer-reviewed journals, including International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, and International Journal of Yoga and Integrative Medicine International.
“Our studies suggest that yoga, a non-expensive technique that has become popular around the globe with good acceptability and generalisability, may be incorporated into all primary and secondary prevention programmes for Type 2 diabetics in clinical practice,” she said.
Quoting a recent study that won a diabetes research award instituted by the American Diabetes Association, she said 277 people, including women aged above 28, identified from in and around Bengaluru were allocated either a yoga-based lifestyle modification programme or exercise-based lifestyle one. The integrated yoga technique for diabetes included yogasanas, pranayama, meditation and lectures on yogic lifestyle. “After nine months of follow up, although both groups showed significant improvement in all parameters, there was better reduction in the yoga group,” she said.
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