Yoga is an exercise that can unite the body, the mind, and the spiritual aspects of human beings in harmony. Yoga is believed to provide positive benefits for both body and mind health. Yoga is a very good exercise to do for all ages. It does not require many tools, making it popular throughout the community.

Some studies have suggested that yoga can boost brain health and cognition, improve thyroid problems, as well as relieve the symptoms of depression. Yoga is also claimed to be beneficial for people with diabetes to manage their symptoms. A recent study led by Dr. Parco M. Siu, from the University of Hong Kong, studied the effects of yoga for people with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which a person has hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), and obesity simultaneously.  In the study, Dr. Siu randomly assigned 97 participants with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure to either a control group or a yoga group. Participants in the control group were contacted monthly to monitor their health status, whereas participants in the yoga group underwent a yoga training program (three one-hour yoga sessions per week) for one year.

The researchers monitored the adipokines level of each participant. Adipokines signal proteins released by the fat tissue, telling the immune system to release either inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses. The study found that participants who underwent one-year yoga training showed decreased pro-inflammatory adipokines and increased anti-inflammatory response in adults with metabolic syndrome and high-normal blood pressure. These findings reveals and underpins the importance of regular exercise to human health

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay.com

Source(s):

• Kinasih, A. S. (2010). Pengaruh Latihan Yoga Terhadap Peningkatan Kualitas Hidup. Buletin Psikologi - Universitas Gadjah Mada 18(1):1-12.
• Supriya, R., Yu, A. P., Siu, P. M. (2018). Yoga training modulates adipokines in adults with high-normal blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, DOI: 10.1111/sms.13029.