Is lower stress linked to weight reduction? It has long been discussed, in the medical and yogic communities, that yoga can help to reduce the levels of stress in the body, and the good news is that this can potentially lead to a weight reduction as well. Lower stress can lead to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone found in the body that is secreted from the adrenal glands. When our bodies are stressed, extra cortisol is released into the blood stream, and for a short period of time, this can be beneficial to the body. It can provide increased energy, increased immunity, as well as lower the body’s sensitivity to pain. However, over time, if the body is experiencing chronic stress, too much cortisol is produced, and the balance of the body can be jeopardized. This excess cortisol can result in increased amounts of stomach fat, as well as other medical concerns, like high blood pressure and a decrease in muscle tissue. Higher levels of cortisol can also suppress one’s normal cognitive functions.
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Resources:
Yoga and hypertension: A systematic review
TYAGI, A and Cohen, M 2014, ‘Yoga and hypertension: A systematic review’, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 32-59.
International Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Sciences ISSN: 2277-2103 (Online) An Online International Journal Available at http://www.cibtech.org/jms.htm
2012 Vol. 2 (1) January-April, pp.93-98/Tundwala et al.
Therapeutic Applications of Yoga for Weight Reduction in Obese Population: An Evidence- Based Overview
Puja Rani Bhardwaj*1 and Abhishek Kumar Bhardwaj2
1Ph.D. Scholar, PG Department of Psychology, T. M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, India 2Scientist, Department of Yoga Research, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, India
Narrative Review of Yoga Intervention Clinical
Trials Including Weight-related Outcomes
Jennifer Rioux, PhD, CAP, RYT; Cheryl Ritenbaugh, PhD, MPH