Yoga prevents heart disease and depression

Yoga can dramatically reduce the chances of heart disease, depression and stress, according to new research.

Two recent studies in India and Sweden have both revealed that those who practice yoga are less likely to suffer from depression or heart attack.

Not only does yoga help prevent serious illness, it increases feelings of well-being and optimism that could help combat the effects of ‘lifestyle diseases’ once they begin.

The research in India, led by Dr R.P Agrawal, of the SP Medical College in Bikaner, India, looked at the effect yoga and meditation had on 101 adults at risk of heart disease.

All 101 had factors such as high blood-pressure, obesity and high blood sugar levels which are all risk factors for heart disease.

Those who followed a three-month programme of yoga all lost weight and dramatically reduced blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

The second study, carried out at the Swedish University of Karlstad, led by Dr Anette Kjellgren looked at the beneficial effects of yogic breathing exercises on healthy volunteers.

The breathing routines, based on ‘Sudarshan Kriya’, were practised for an hour a day, six days a week, coupled with a 15-minute daily relaxation session.

All 55 adults on the six-week trial reported significantly lowered feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Study leaders concluded this was due to the “relaxation response” in the body, brought about from an increase in antioxidants and lowered levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

The combined suggestion from the studies, is that yoga can help prevent serious lifestyle diseases, and significantly help relieve the symptoms once the diseases are apparent.

Dr Faahri Saatiglou told Reuters Health: “We do not emphasise this point enough in our Western health care.”

Sources: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine