EFFECT OF YOGA PRACTICES ON TOTAL CHOLESTEROL TRIGLYCERIDES AND URIC ACID AMONG WOMEN DIABETIC PATIENTS

The purpose of the present study was to find out the effect of yoga practices on total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid among women diabetic patients. For this purpose, thirty women diabetic patients (type – I) around Annamalainagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu in the age group of 35 – 40 years were selected. They were divided into two equal groups, each group consisted of fifteen subjects, in which group – I underwent yoga practices and group – II acted as control that did not participate in any special activities apart from their regular day-to-day activities. The training period for this study was six days in a week for twelve weeks. Prior to and after the training period the subjects were tested on total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were tested after taking 10 ml (5 ml separately for uric acid test) of blood samples by venous puncture method, by using Boehringer Manheimm Kit Method. The Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to find out any significant difference between the pre- and post-test means and any significant difference that was exists between the yoga practice group and control group on selected criterion variables. The result of the study shows the yoga practice has decreased the total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid significantly (P > .05). It was concluded from the results of the study that yoga practice has bring positive changes in total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid and it was due to the performance of various asana postures.


Introduction
Yoga is one of the most ancient cultural heritages of India. Yoga is a spectacularly multifaceted phenomenon, and as such it is very difficult to define because there are exceptions to every conceivable rule (Georg Feuerstein, 2002). Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago (Swami Vishnu Devananda, 2000). Yoga was evolved ceturites ago, it is an ancient and perfect art, science and philosophy which takes one towards the innermost trust (Iyengar, 2006 p.86) .
Diabetes mellitus is classified into four broad categories: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and "other specific types". The "other specific types" are a collection of a few dozen individual causes (Shoback, 2011 Cholesterol is a waxy compound, is a kind of sterol. It is found in plants and animals. Our body manufacturing the cholesterol which is needed by the liver and with smaller amounts produced in the small intestine and in individual cells of our body. Cholesterol is also found in the blood circulation of humans. The association of high serum uric acid with insulin resistance has been known since the early part of the 20th century, nevertheless, recognition of high serum uric acid as a risk factor for diabetes has been a matter of debate (Dehgan et al. 2008). After yogic practices, the total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins were significantly lowered (Bijlani et al, 2005).

Selection of Subjects
Thirty women diabetic patients (type -I) living around Annamalainagar, Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu were selected as subjects and their age ranged between 35 and 40 years. These subjects were divided into two equal groups, such as, Group -I (n = 15) underwent yoga practices and Group -II (n = 15) acted as control, which did not undergo any special exercises apart from their day-to-day activities.

Criterion Variables Selected
The researcher consulted with the yoga experts, selected the following variables as criterion variables: 1. total cholesterol, 2. triglycerides and 3. Uric acid. The total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid was measured by using the Boehringer Mannheim Kit method. For the purpose of collection of data the subjects in both the groups (experimental group and control group) were asked to report at early morning, one day prior and one day after experimental period, in fasting condition. 5 ml of blood was collected from each subject by venous puncture method and the blood thus collected was stored in small bottles for pre and post-test for measuring the total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid.

Training
Yoga practice period was conducted six days (Monday to Saturday) per week for twelve weeks Table 1. Self regulation in diet and medicine which was prescribed by the physician was followed and a regular interrogation about the subjects' diet and medicine were also followed.

Results
The data collected prior to and after the yoga practice period on total cholesterol, triglcerides and uric acid on yoga practice group and control group were analysed and presented in the following Table 2. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to find out the significant difference if any, among the experimental group and control group on selected criterion variables separately. In all the cases, .05 level of confidence was fixed to test the significance, which was considered as an appropriate.
After applying the analysis of covariance, the result of this study shows that there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol and triglycerides for the yoga practice group and also there was a significant decrease in the uric acid after the experimental period.
Further, comparing the adjusted post-test means of the criterion variables, such as the total cholesterol (F = 6.179, p < 0.05) and triglycerides (F = 6.832, p < 0.05) the yoga practice group was significantly decreased and in uric acid level, there was a significant decrease (F = 6.205, p < 0.05) after the yoga practices. The result of the study also shows that there was a significant difference in total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid level between the yoga practice group and control group.

Discussion
In the present study, the yogic practice group reduced the total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid significantly. The present findings of the result is in line with the findings of Prasad et al (2006) and Sayyed et al (2010) and also in uric acid level which was also supported by the findings of Dugarte (2008) and Poortmanx and Vanderstraenten (1994). It was proved that there was a stretch and stimulation of various internal organs like heart, lungs, liver, pancreas etc., which improves the functions of these organs. Moreover, there are other benefits of yogasana, which they help to burn off the fat from muscles and it results to reduce the level of lipid profiles. In future, instead of women diabetic patients, male diabetic patients those who were working in various offices may be selected as subjects, because, these people are under severe environmental and work stress.

Conclusions
Diabetic patients who were working in offices may face severe environmental and work stress. Thus, yoga practice for twelve weeks significantly improve their fitness level and also helps to reduce their risk factors by minimizing the total cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid levels.