ABSTRACT
Background: Dyslipidemia poses a high risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There are no studies on the impact of a validated integrated yoga lifestyle protocol on lipid profiles in a high-risk diabetes population. Methods: Here, we report the results of lipid profile values of 11,254 (yoga 5932 and control 5322) adults (20-70 years) of both genders with high risk (≥60 on Indian diabetes risk score) for diabetes from a nationwide rural and urban community-based two group (yoga and conventional management) cluster randomized controlled trial. The yoga group practiced a validated integrated yoga lifestyle protocol (DYP) in nine day camps followed by daily one-hour practice. Biochemical profiling included glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles before and after three months. Results: There was a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001 ANCOVA) with improved serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein in the yoga group compared to the control group. Further, the regulatory effect of yoga was noted with a significant decrease or increase in those with high or low values of lipids, respectively, with marginal or no change in those within the normal range. Conclusion: Yoga lifestyle improves and regulates (lowered if high, increased if low) the blood lipid levels in both genders of prediabetic and diabetic individuals in both rural and urban Indian communities.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in India is a cause for national concern, particularly the spiraling cost burden to the country. As one approach to stop its increase, Yoga medicine has been widely implemented, finding popularity with all social strata. Here, we report a study suggesting that treatment with fresh herbal juices and Yoga can improve the levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with pre-diabetes. METHODS: Study design: 3-arm controlled trial 3 months in duration. PARTICIPANTS: 157 male prisoners with newly diagnosed, high fasting blood sugar (FBS) and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels. Group interventions: (1) Rasahara and Yoga, (2) Yoga, (3) no intervention. ASSESSMENTS: FBS and PPBS levels were measured every 2 weeks; HbA1c and blood lipids were determined pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Significant decreases occurred in the FBS (-21.13 ± 21.16 mg/dl) and PPBS levels (-15.02 ± 14.89 mg/dl) in group 1 (both p < 0.0001) and in the FBS level (20.62 ± 32.68 mg/dl) in group 2 (p = 0.0005), while the increases in group 3 attained significance only for the PPBS level (9.62 ± 21.83 mg/dl) (p = 0.0022). Observed changes in HbA1c were: group 1, -0.044 ± 0.059 mg/dl; group 2, +0.024 ± 0.456 mg/dl (not significant); and group 3, +0.365 ± 0.369 mg/dl (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study of Yoga for the treatment of diabetes shows that all male prisoners could benefit from the Yoga prison programs. Addition of Yoga programs to state and federal activities at all levels is now national policy in India. Follow-up studies should be carried out to obtain more robust results.
