Positive Health Online

Abstract

MAJAHAN and colleagues, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi studied the effect of yogic lifestyle upon lipid status in angina and normal patients with risk factors of coronary artery disease .

Background

Methodology

Parameters included body weight, estimation of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and cholesterol:HDL ratio. Following an evaluation at baseline, the angina patients and risk factors subjects were randomly assigned to either the control (n = 41) or the intervention (yoga) group (n = 52). Both groups received lifestyle advice. An integrated course of yoga training was provided for 4 days followed by home practice. Evaluation of both groups was performed at 4, 10 and 14 weeks.

Results

In all cases, dyslipidaemia was a constant feature. There was an inconsistent pattern of change observed in the control group of angina (n = 18) and risk factor subjects (n = 23). The subjects in the yoga group showed a regular decrease in all lipid parameters except HDL . The effect started from 4 weeks and lasted for 14 weeks.

Conclusion

The effect of yogic lifestyle upon some modifiable risk factors could probably explain the preventive and therapeutic beneficial effect observed in coronary artery disease.

References

Mahajan AS et al. Lipid profile of coronary risk subjects following yogic lifestyle intervention. Indian Heart Journal 51(1): 37-40. Jan-Feb 1999.