It might be more accurately stated that "Yoga Boosts Heart Health, New Research CONFIRMS"

I find a whole chapter in the book "What Your Doctor May NOT Tell You About Cholesterol" Stephen Devries, MD (2007) devoted to mind-body cardiac effects, specifically citing the use of Yoga. I know there are others lying around. The famous Dean Ornish, MD study on reversing cardiac disease utilized Yoga nearly 20 years ago.

Editors write headlines to boost readership, and are prone to distort the science in favor of the business of getting readers.

Was the only difference between the two groups yoga? There might be an association between yoga and fasting, for instance. The problem with the Dean Ornish study was that it changed too many variables, all at once. Esselstyn reports the same results based on diet alone.
I find it entirely plausible that yoga might have the stated benefits, I'm just not ready to say that it does based on this article.

You are quite right on the points of the multivariable Ornish study - you can't tell which of the multiple variables actually had what amount of effect.

There is no doubt in my mind that diet is a major player in heart health, and there are probably several factors involved in the word "diet". So, again, we have fuzzy knowledge.

Lastly, the single study here is not conclusive proof. Whenever anything is said to be importantaccording to a single study, that is the basis for the scientific need to replicate the study as well as the need to define additional lines of research to get at the underlying mechanisms of the allegedly successful line of treatment.

In terms of knowing if the ONLY point of difference in the groups studies was Yoga, you read everything I have read about the study ....... which is just a Press Release, not the actual study.

Thanks for your comments.

This study does not surprise me. I was at my healthest ever when I was doiing yoga everyday.

I read this article too. Then I started looking for more information on how yoga affects your health. Here is a page about a study done on yoga and cortisol:

Yoga and cortisol

In a recent study conducted by Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and the Yoga Research Society, 16 healthy new yogis participated in a 50-minute yoga class every day for seven days. On the day prior to their first class, they were instructed to sit quietly--reading and writing--for 50 minutes.

The subjects' cortisol levels didn't change appreciably during the sitting period; they showed just the normal decrease that usually takes place in the late morning. But when the researchers measured the cortisol levels before and after the yoga class--which included postures such as Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand), Salabhasana (Locust Pose), Vrksasana (Tree Pose) and Halasana (Plow Pose)--they discovered a significant decrease after the class.

In the scientific world, results are considered noteworthy only if they can be repeated. This particular study attained a "p value" (a measurement of the probability of attaining the very same outcome in the future) of .001, which means that if the study were performed 100 times, the probability of getting the same result would be 99.9 percent.

The study's results don't surprise George Brainard, M.D., a professor of neurology at Thomas Jefferson Medical College. In 1995, he conducted a similar study, which also showed a significant drop in cortisol levels of subjects following asana practice.

Rocketguy, it would be really helpful if you could also post a link to the original article. Thanks

I am kind of new to this end of things, does anyone know what effect cortisol has on a body? I know it is related to stress, but that is about it.

That is interesting. It is very interesting to me that if yoga has all these benefits, why my doc told me not to bother with it for my hypertension......hmmmmmmmmmm........

Thanks!

I normally do post the links, but it appears as if I have recently gotten somewhat lazy.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...91109121216.htm

Some doctors put all of this "alternative medicine" stuff in a mental trash bin.

They know about hypertensive drugs because drug salesmen and saleswomen come visit them bearing gifts and sometimes lunch.

No Yoga guru comes to their offices bearing literature, gifts and lunch.

Money talks with your doctor just like it does with your Congressman(Or other people's Congressmen). It seems human to put trust in people who give you benefit and personal assurance. (and gifts)

what Rockeyguy said.

Here's more information about cortisol:

Cortisol

I am discovering real quick these days just how correct you both are!!

Thanks for the info on cortisol, I can see now how yoga would impact high blood pressure, thank you for that!


Once again I am just in shock at how little those doctors actually know and care to heal people, not just treat symtoms.

The smart doctor hedges his bets and says, "Can't hurt to try!" In my yoga class, though, those with high blood pressure are instructed not to do certain poses. I believe those poses include the two inverted poses mentioned in the article. (Thanks to low carb my blood pressure is back to normal, so I don't have to keep track of which poses are verboten for the hypertension set! )

Hm, off hand, I've always dismissed Yoga as a "frivolous" exercise whenever it has been recommended to me.

Seems as if I should rethink my position.

Yoga is pretty intense. I (re)started it a month or so ago. I've already noticed a huge improvement in my strength, balance, and flexibility. I wouldn't call it frivolous at all.