YOGA TRAINING AND VEGETARIAN NUTRITION REDUCE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK-FACTORS IN HEALTHY EUROPEANS

Background. More cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) occur in the la rge group of people with 'normal' or average risk factor levels than i n the relatively small group of persons at high risk. A substantial re duction in CHD may therefore only be achieved when risk factor levels are reduced in those members of the general population at moderate ris k. We had the opportunity studying risk factor changes in healthy adul ts who attended a three month yoga and meditation course, during which they refrained from smoking, coffein and alcohol consumption and rece ived a vegetarian diet. Methods. 106 subjects were investigated at the beginning and at the end of a three month yoga and meditation course. Body mass index, serum lipid and lipoprotein levels, blood pressure, fibrinogen and leukocyte count were assessed in all volunteering cours e participants or in subgroups. The participants' dietary intake durin g the course was compared to their habitual intake before the course. Results. As compared with the participants' habitual food intake, the course diet provided less fat (23% vs. 40% of total energy), less satu rated fat (6% vs. 32% of total energy), less cholesterol (9 mg vs. 220 mg) and more dietary fibre (62 g vs. 22 g). Mean blood pressure, fibr inogen and BMI: were significantly lower at the end of the course than at the beginning in both men and women. In men also the mean serum to tal cholesterol (TC), LDL, VLDL, TC/HDL ratio, triglycerides and leuko cyte count had significantly decreased. Those with relatively high ris k factor levels at the beginning experienced the largest reductions du ring the course. In women the beneficial effects of the course on lipi d and lipoprotein levels were restricted to the sub-group with initial TC above 200 mg/dl, while in men also those with lower initial TC val ues benefited. Conclusions. The combination of a low fat, low salt veg etarian diet, smoking cessation, yoga and meditation resulted in a sub stantial reduction of cardiovascular risk in a group of persons with ' normal' risk factor levels. As a public health measure, it may be wort hwhile to offer already motivated people more opportunities to experie nce and practice a healthy lifestyle in such an integrated way.