In the study, adults with type 2 diabetes who practiced mind-body techniques such as gentle yoga and qigong saw significant improvements in their blood sugar levels. So, if you’re living with type 2 diabetes, why not give one or all these practices a try? You might be surprised at how well they work.
Although approximately 66% of Americans with type 2 diabetes use mind-body practices, there has been limited research on whether these practices can reduce blood glucose levels. However, this new study published in the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine is one of the first to find that some mind-body practices can be nearly as effective as commonly prescribed drugs at reducing blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from controlled trials conducted worldwide between 1993 and 2022. There were 28 trials in which people with type 2 diabetes began a mind-body practice in addition to taking medication. These results were compared with people who only received medication to reduce their blood glucose levels. The range of mind-body practices included meditation, yoga, qigong, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Researchers found that, as a whole, the mind-body practices averaged a .84% reduction in hemoglobin A1c, a measure of the average blood glucose level. Yoga was noted as having the largest benefit, matching the most prescribed diabetes drug, metformin, by reducing A1c by 1%
Preventative Measures
This study suggests that mind-body practices could be used as a preventative measure against type 2 diabetes as well as a complementary nonpharmacological treatment. By combining healthy lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise with mind-body practices, those with type 2 diabetes may be able to manage their blood sugar levels better.
Healthy Blood Sugar Support is also an excellent way to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This unique formula uses a number of ingredients that have been proven in clinical studies. The health benefits of this Healthy Blood Sugar Support include supporting blood-sugar metabolism and promoting healthy cholesterol and glucose levels already within the normal range. Healthy Blood Sugar Support can also help to reduce excessive hunger or increased appetite, fatigue, and blood glucose spikes after meals.