In 2010, an estimated 1.9 million people were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in the United States alone. My guess is that only a very small fraction of them were advised to take up yoga. But, this is likely to change in the years to come. A new study in the August 2011 issue of the journal Diabetes Care reports that adding 3 months of yoga practice to “standard care” effectively reduced body mass index and levels of oxidative stress in a controlled trial involving 123 diabetics. A significant improvement in blood sugar control was also noted. Two previous publications from 2009 support the current findings and add that yoga is also capable of lowering anxiety, blood pressure and high triglycerides in those with adult onset diabetes. This is not to say that yoga is a replacement for appropriate dietary changes, other forms of exercise and sensible weight management. However, it illustrates the potential of such holistic therapies as part of a comprehensive diabetes regimen.

To learn more about the studies referenced in today’s column, please click on the following links:

Study 1: Effect of 3-Month Yoga on Oxidative Stress in Type 2 Diabetics … (link)

Study 2: Yoga Practice in Diabetes Improves Physical and Psychological Outcomes (link)

Study 3: Utilization of 3-Month Yoga Program for Adults at High Risk for Type 2 … (link)

How Yoga Protects Against Diabetes and Diabetic Complications

Source: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2007 December; 4(4): 469–486. (link)

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