Influence of 24-week yoga intervention on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background and Aims: Persistent hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress are important in cardiovascular risk in type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM). To evaluate the effect of 24-week yoga intervention on anthropometry and biochemical markers in DM patients, we performed a study. Methods: A hospital-based prospective randomized study in 104 participants with DM divided into control ( n = 52) and intervention ( n = 52) groups was performed. Patients in the intervention group performed 40 min of multifaceted individualized yoga exercises 5 days/week for 24 weeks. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical analysis were performed at baseline and after 24 weeks in both groups. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. At 24 weeks, participants in the intervention versus controls had lower body mass index (25.6 ± 2.9 vs. 28.0 ± 3.2 kg/m 2 ), waist–hip ratio (0.94 ± 0.06 vs. 0.99 ± 0.05), systolic blood pressure (121.2 ± 11.7 vs. 139.3 ± 19.1 mmHg), fasting glucose (142.7 ± 45.3 vs. 175.7 ± 45.4 mg/dL), glycated hemoglobin (7.2 ± 1.8 vs. 9.4 ± 1.9%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (167.5 ± 38.1 vs. 192.2 ± 51.4 mg/dL), nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (136.8 ± 35.3 vs. 158.6 ± 47.2 mg/dL), interleukin-6 (32.0 ± 21.5 vs. 43.5 ± 34.3 pg/mL), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (5.1 ± 3.7 vs. 9.5 ± 15.6 mg/L) ( P ≤ 0.05). In the intervention group, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (49.2 ± 15.0 vs. 40.4 ± 7.2 mg/dL) and serum total antioxidants (1.9 ± 0.4 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4 mmol/L) were observed ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: A short-term yoga intervention led to reduced glycemia, dyslipidemia, and inflammatory markers and increased antioxidant status in patients with type-2 DM.

Biomarkers of Response to Adjunctive Yoga-Based Interventions in Depression: A Scoping Review

“…There is evidence in human subjects without depression -both healthy volunteers and those with medical illnesses -that yoga does exert beneficial effects on the aforementioned processes [67][68][69][70][71]. Thus, it is -at the very least -biologically plausible to consider that YBIs may ameliorate not only depression, but the medical conditions often comorbid with it, through its moderating effects on multiple physiological and biochemical pathways.…”

Are There Biological Correlates of Response to Yoga-Based Interventions in Depression? A Critical Scoping Review

“…Additional support for a possible beneficial effect of YBIs on these molecular pathways comes from studies of yoga in healthy controls and in patients with disorders other than depression. In these patients, the practice of yoga was also associated with apparently beneficial reductions in peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokine and cortisol levels [ 105 , 106 , 107 ]. However, as noted in a recent meta-analysis, changes in these markers are not always statistically significant, and their clinical relevance is open to question [ 63 ].…”

Diabetes and co-occurring osteoarthritis, and yoga 2023

“…27 Yoga practice may also impact the psychological status of the individual favorably as well as having possible beneficial physical impacts. It is considered a form of activity usually enjoyed and fun-as well as effect-for example participating in laughter yoga is found to improve glycemic control in cases with Type 2 diabetes 28 and can be done in a non-stressful manner 29 with positive measurable effects on multiple disease manifestations 29,30 and even for reducing intra ocular pressure in those with glaucoma. 31…”