The Status Of NIDDM Patients After Yoga Asanas: Assessment Of Important Parameters

摘要

Fifty six patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM), with a history of diabetes of 0 ? 10 years, in the age group of 30 ? 60 years, were selected. The diagnoses of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) patients were done according to the WHO criteria Technical Report Series. Subjects suffering from cardiac, renal and proliferative retinal complications were excluded from the study. The yoga asanas regime included the Suryanamskar Tadasan, Konasan, Padmasan Pranayam, Paschimottansan Ardhmatsyendrasan, Shavasan, Pavanmukthasan, Sarpasan and Shavasan. The subjects were called to the cardio-respiratory laboratory in the morning and were given training by the Yoga expert. The Yoga exercises were performed for 30-40 minutes every day for 40 days. The subjects were on a recommended diet and oral hypoglycaemic drugs. Basal blood glucose, serum insulin, lipid profile, body mass index, malondialdehyde levels (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation, cardiac function, p300 and the nerve conduction velocity of the median nerve was measured and repeated after 40 days of the Yogic regime. Another group of 50 Type 2 diabetes subjects of comparable age and severity, called as the control group, were kept on prescribed medication and light physical exercises like walking. Their basal and post 40 daysparameters were recorded for comparison.There was a reduction in the weight and even in the distribution of fat in the body space, as shown by a significant decrease in the waist to hip ratio in NIDDM patients on Yoga asanas. There was a significant fall in the fasting blood glucose levels. The one hour postprandial blood glucose level also decreased after 40 days of Yoga asanas), the subjects developed a sense of wellbeing within 10 days and there was a lowering of the dosage of the oral anti-diabetic drug (s). There was a significant reduction in total cholesterol also. There was a noticeable decrease in triglyceride levels, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, MDA levels and GHb. Improvement of nerve conduction velocity and pulmonary and cardiovascular function occurred, thus indicating a shift to the parasympathetic dominance. The subjects were also more aware and restful.Yoga asanas in mild to moderate NIDDM cases, which were used in addition to normal medical therapy, would give benefit to the patient and improve the status of diabetics in terms of the use of less medicine, improvement of physical well being, improvement of mental alertness and activity and and leading a complication free life. Consequently, it is suggested that Yoga asanas and pranayama may be used as an adjunct to reduce Diabetes Mellitus.