Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Yoga is a holistic health system that forms a part of Ayurvedic medicine. Yoga is described as physical and mental technique that can be effectively used to create physical and mental well-being. Since its introduction into modern culture, yoga has enjoyed a tremendous growth in popularity as an adjunct to healthy living. The purpose of yoga is to achieve highest level of integration through the control of the modification of mind, experience enduring health and happiness, and improve the quality of life. All yogic practices are complementary to each other and their nature is psycho-neuro-physical. Yoga asanas cover the entire human anatomy, from the top of the head to the tips of toes. The asanas are of two types – active asanas tone specific muscles, nerve groups and activate brain cells; passive asanas are employed in meditation, relaxation and pranayama practices. Regular practices of asanas correct systemic and postural irregularities. The greatest benefit from practicing asanas comes when we learn how to relax in a given posture, rather concentrating the mind, totally focused on a single object. It is different and unique in comparison to conservational exercise because it is performed with spiritual aim, positive attitude, preceded by purification of thoughts, parasympathetic nervous system and subcortical brain predominance. Psychological stress and faulty lifestyles are the contributors of the diseases of modern civilization such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. Yoga begins by working with the body on a structural level and the yogic practices balance all the system of the body. The end result is increased mental clarity, emotional stability, a sense of overall well-being and activation of neuro-hormonal mechanisms that bring about health benefits. Aims & Objectives: The present study was conducted to examine effect of long-term yoga practice on glycemic profile, glycated haemoglobin and normal haemoglobin in diabetics.
Materials and Methods: Experimental group comprised 120 diabetic patients, 60 for yoga and 60 without yoga. Subjects were practicing yoga for more than two years and controls did not practice yoga at all. Subjects with acute macrovascular complications, pulmonary tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis were excluded from the study. Both, subjects and controls, had complete drug compliance throughout the study period.
Results: The mean value of fasting blood glucose level was less than that of controls and difference in the mean value as determined by unpaired ‘t’ test was statistically significant. Similarly, the mean value of haemoglobin was greater and that of glycated haemoglobin was less in subjects, as compared to controls. Results revealed fall in fasting blood glucose level (p=.0001), fall in glycated haemoglobin (p=.0001) and increase in haemoglobin level (p=.0001) in yoga group. The regular practice of yoga brings changes in hematologic parameter, and therefore, it is recommended as a complementary therapy in diabetics. Conclusion: Yoga can be used as an effective therapy in reducing blood glucose level and glycated haemoglobin in diabetics with simultaneous improvement in haemoglobin.