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by Julia Hanf

Can yoga really help diabetics, too? While we know that yoga has gained popularity in recent years, what kind of health benefits does it provide? Recent studies have been conducted to determine if certain yoga poses actually help reduce blood sugar levels in persons with Type II diabetes. What they found was the link not only to lowered blood sugar levels, but the associated benefits of reducing stress for diabetics.

There are two types of stress, good and bad. Good stress is the kind that does not impact an individual’s physical or emotional health as bad stress does. A negative stressor causes the release of cortisol and glucagon. They impact blood sugar levels in the body. They raise blood sugar levels in opposition to insulin. Over time, the biochemical changes can promote the likelihood that insulin will be ineffective to lower and manage blood sugar levels in a diabetics. Exercise that not only works the cardiovascular system, but reduces stress level, therefore, is beneficial to diabetics.

Diabetes affects up to five percent of the world population. It is continually increasing in numbers daily. There are three commonly known types of diabetes, Type I, Type II and Gestational diabetes. Of the three, the most widely publicized is the noninsulin-depended diabetes mellitus, or NIDDM, commonly known as Type II. There are many factors that contribute to the onset of diabetes including lifestyle and genetic factors. While genetic factors predispose an individual to develop the disease, healthy choices are the key in preventing the onset of diabetes. Increasing activity that helps maintain healthy weight and stress levels is a crucial part of any prevention or management plan.

The yoga patients took part in one or two 90-minute sessions a week and were asked to practice at home. The classes included the specific yoga exercises of the spinal twist, the bow and abdominal breathing.

Diabetes affects up to five percent fo the world population. In Western Europe alone there are twelve million diabetics. Of course this includes the three commonly known types of diabetes, Type I, Type II and Gestational Diabetes. Of the three, the most heard about is the noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or NIDDM. It is often referred to as Type II. There are many factors that impact Type II including genetic and lifestyle influences. While we may carry the genetic code for diabetes, lifestyle changes can prevent the onset of Type II.

After twelve weeks, blood sugar levels in the yoga group participants, as recorded throughout the study, dropped significantly. The control group’s blood sugar levels remained the same or slightly increased in comparison to the yoga study group. The yoga participants were successful in managing their diabetes through the use of yoga. Three participants reduced medication dosage, including a male who had been taking the same dose for twenty years.

It is not necessarily the exercise component of the yoga therapy package which is most important, because there is not enough physical exercise to account for the changes, but stress reduction has a lot to do with it. Stress hormones increase sugar levels in the blood. People also benefit from the stabilization of their moods which yoga brings, an increased feeling of well-being and a feeling of being more in control, which may help with their diet control.

About the Author:
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.