Yoga May Reduce Risk of Heart Disease
Leading cardiologists, including Dean Ornish, MD, have helped increase the popularity of yoga by touting its ability to assist in preventing and managing heart disease. Now investigators at the Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies at the University of Virginia Health Systems in Charlottesville, Virginia, have conducted a research review to evaluate the evidence that might support this perception. Results show that although the number of studies is increasing, a body of rigorous studies meeting the criteria for double-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trials is still lacking. Reviewers found 70 studies, but only 22 randomized, controlled trials.
The news so far, however, is good. The study results are positive and suggest that yoga may improve many risk factors for heart disease—including glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, cholesterol levels, body composition, blood pressure, and functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Study authors recommend more high-quality studies to confirm the effects of standardized yoga programs on specific risk factors. The review was published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice (2005, 18 [6], 491–519).
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
