Effect of Yoga and Naturopathy-Based Lifestyle Intervention on Inflammatory Markers on Obese Individuals: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Obesity is characterized by abnormal accumulation of fat in adipose tissue. It is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome caused by chronic inflammatory changes. Naturopathy and yogic intervention are a holistic approach. So, the present study aims to assess the effect of naturopathy and yogic intervention on inflammatory markers among obese individuals.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 262 subjects were recruited and randomized into either an experimental or control group with 131 subjects in each group aged 35 ± 9.6 years in experimental and 39.3 ± 9.6 years in control group. The experimental group received 10 days of naturopathy and yogic treatment. The control group didn't receive any naturopathy or yogic treatment. Complete blood count (CBC) was tested at baseline and after 10 days of intervention.

RESULTS

The study showed a significant reduction in white blood cells (WBC), Neutrophils, and Lymphocytes with mean values of 1.63 ± 0.38, 1.14 ± 0.25, 0.4 ± 0.09 and an increase in Platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with mean value 19.84 ± 4.97 respectively with a P < .001 in experiment group when compared to the control group. The experimental group also showed a reduction in Platelet and Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with a mean value of 11.28 ± 3.5 & 0.18 ± 0.03 with a P = .01 when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Obesity being a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome could be safely and effectively treated with naturopathy and yogic intervention by alleviating the inflammatory markers.