Abstract
BACKGROUND: Persistent exposure to psychosocial stress is linked to an increased risk of metabolic disease, including obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Metabolic syndrome is driven by an unhealthy lifestyle encompassing a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy diet as well as psychological distress, which potentially triggers these metabolic derailments. Various mind-body practices, such as postures, breathing, meditation, and relaxation, are included in yoga. Studies suggest that even one yoga session can improve cognitive function, oxygen saturation, baroreflex sensitivity, sympathovagal balance, and the body's ability to recover from stressful stimuli. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the stress attenuation effect of a combined approach of yoga and diet intervention among metabolic syndrome patients. METHODOLOGY: In this study we randomized 200 subjects diagnosed with metabolic syndrome as per the Joint interim statement 2009 into control and combined (yoga+diet) groups according to their intervention which was given for 6 months. Anthropometric, physiological, perceived stress score and biochemical parameters were collected at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: The study's findings show that, at three and six months from baseline, the combined yoga with diet approach significantly reduced metabolic risk factors (waist circumference, SBP, DBP, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides) and improved HDL. At three and six months following the combined (yoga+diet) intervention, the perceived stress score also showed a substantial reduction. CONCLUSION: Combined (yoga+diet) interventions are effective in lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome and perceived stress.