| Titel: | Yoga Training and Vegetarian Nutrition Reduce Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Healthy Europeans |
|---|---|
| Autor: | Schmidt, T. F. H. Wijga, A. H. Robra, Bernt-Peter Müller, M. J. Muller, M. J. Canzler, H. Bartels, M. Schwartz, F. W. |
| Mediengruppe: | journal article |
| Herausgeber: | --- |
| Zeitschrift: | Homeostasis in Health and Disease |
| Jahr: | 1994 |
| Band: | 35 |
| Heft: | 4-5; 39571 |
| Seiten: | 209-225 |
| Sprache: | English |
| Abstract: | Studied risk-factor changes in 106 healthy adults who attended a 3-mo yoga and meditation course in Sweden, who refrained from smoking, caffeine, and alcohol, and who kept a vegetarian diet. Ss were examined for diet, body mass index (BMI), serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, fibrinogen and leukocyte count pre- and postprogram. The course diet had less fat, less saturated fat, less cholesterol, and more dietary fiber than habitual diet. Mean blood pressure, fibrinogen, and BMI significantly decreased in Ss during the course. In men, the mean serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL ratio, triglycerides, and leukocyte count significantly decreased. Those with initial high risk factor levels had the largest reductions. In women, the beneficial effects on lipid and lipoprotein levels were restricted to Ss with initial TC above 200 mg/dl. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved); Background. More cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) occur in the large group of people with 'normal' or average risk factor levels than in the relatively small group of persons at high risk. A substantial reduction in CHD may therefore only be achieved when risk factor levels are reduced in those members of the general population at moderate risk. We had the opportunity studying risk factor changes in healthy adults who attended a three month yoga and meditation course, during which they refrained from smoking, coffein and alcohol consumption and received a vegetarian diet.; Methods. 106 subjects were investigated at the beginning and at the end of a three month yoga and meditation course. Body mass index, serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, fibrinogen and leukocyte count were assessed in all volunteering course participants or in subgroups. The participants' dietary intake during the course was compared to their habitual intake before the course.; Results. As compared with the participants' habitual food intake, the course diet provided less fat (23% vs. 40% of total energy), less saturated fat (6% vs. 32% of total energy), less cholesterol (9 mg vs. 220 mg) and more dietary fibre (62 g vs. 22 g). Mean blood pressure, fibrinogen and BMI: were significantly lower at the end of the course than at the beginning in both men and women. In men also the mean serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL ratio, triglycerides and leukocyte count had significantly decreased. Those with relatively high risk factor levels at the beginning experienced the largest reductions during the course. In women the beneficial effects of the course on lipid and lipoprotein levels were restricted to the sub-group with initial TC above 200 mg/dl, while in men also those with lower initial TC values benefited.; Conclusions. The combination of a low fat, low salt vegetarian diet, smoking cessation, yoga and meditation resulted in a substantial reduction of cardiovascular risk in a group of persons with 'normal' risk factor levels. As a public health measure, it may be worthwhile to offer already motivated people more opportunities to experience and practice a healthy lifestyle in such an integrated way. |