Yoga, Obesity And Metabolic Syndrome

Bob Crowther recommends reading Robert Lustig's book, Fat Chance.

Bob notes that an active yoga practice can contribute to reduce the occurrence of two diseases: obesity and metabolic syndrome.

I noted in a recent post that obesity has been recognized by the American Medical Association as a disease - as an indicator of a number of health risk factors that may lead to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Excess food consumption and sedentary lifestyles contribute to being overweight and obese.

Obesity Research Center

Obesity can lead to Metabolic Syndrome - a disease diagnosis variously defined within the medical community.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) applies this diagnosis when three or more of the following metabolic risk factors are exhibited:

• abdominal (visceral) fat 
• high triglycerides (fats in blood) 
• low HDL (good cholesterol) 
• high blood pressure 
• elevated blood sugar levels 

The NHLBI defines risk factors as "traits, conditions, or habits that increase your chance of developing a disease."

The proteins, lipids and carbohydrates we consume as food are processed to provide the energy that sustains our bodies and involve structures within our cells known as mitochondria.

Metabolism is the term used to denote these complex biochemical reactions. 

Book Of Interest

 Fat Chance (2012)

For a more expanded and detailed review of the biology of metabolic syndrome, including the significance of insulin resistance and how the mitochondria are impacted by excessive amounts of sugars and fats, read Chapter 9 [Metabolic Syndrome: The New Scourge] in Dr. Robert H. Lustig's book.

Lustig and other investigators have noted that gender, ethnicity and genetic differences complicate the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome for individuals of normal weight and those classified as obese. 

This author includes triglycerides, alcohol and fructose (a sugar) among the worse food offenders contributing to negative metabolic outcomes. 

Physical activities including yoga and changes in nutrition can moderate the systemic damages within individuals exhibiting obesity and metabolic syndrome symptoms.

 # Yoga And Obesity #Yoga And Metabolic Syndrome