Research Corner: The role of yoga in the management of type 2 diabetes

Yoga may be a worthwhile addition to your treatment plan to manage your type 2 diabetes.

Tip to Take Away: Yoga has been found to have significant health benefits for many people living with type 2 diabetes.  As an addition to your regular exercise program, yoga can help you lose a few pounds and keep your blood glucose in check. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider to be sure yoga is right for you.

Study Summary: A 3-month study assessed the effect of yoga for people living with type 2 diabetes on weight, blood pressure, blood glucose management, and oxidative stress, which is a measure of the physical stress on the body associated with aging.  The 123 participants, ages 40-75, were assigned to receive either standard care with general information about diet and exercise or standard care plus yoga at least 3 times weekly for 3 months.  People with a variety of health complications and with no health complications were included in the study.

After three months, there were no differences between the groups in changes to waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, or two of the blood markers for oxidative stress.  The group who participated in yoga in addition to standard care, however, had a greater improvement in Body Mass Index (BMI, a ratio of weight to height), blood glucose control, and reduction in three of the blood level markers for oxidative stress.  The authors concluded that yoga can be helpful in reducing oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.  In addition, when used in addition to standard diet and exercise care, it may help slightly reduce BMI and improve blood glucose control.

Hegde SV, Adhikari P, Kotian S, Pinto VJ, D’Souze S, D’Souza V.  Effect of 30-Month Yoga on Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetes With or Without Complications:  A controlled clinical trial. Diabetes Care. October 2011; Vol34(10);2208-2210.

Abstract available at: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/early/2011/08/05/dc10-2430.abstract

For more information about yoga and exercise: http://www.joslin.org/info/diabetes_and_yoga.html

http://www.joslin.org/info/exercises_to_avoid_when_you_have_diabetes.html

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