Tag: Bhujangasana

January 21, 2025

Yoga and Pranayama: A Holistic Approach for Fatty Liver Treatment

Abstract

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is a leading cause of worldwide liver disease. In today’s era pharmacological medications are ineffective and in this condition lifestyle changes and regular exercise is the effective and commonly used treatment for Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Regular practising of Yoga and pranayam can reduce liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis, changes body composition, increases cardio-respiratory fitness and also improves vascular endothelial functions. The role to evaluate the yoga and pranayam without medication. Daily practice of yoga and pranayam in fatty liver patients for some time provides very good results. Practising Kapalbhati pranayam, Dhanurasana, triangle pose are effective yoga interventions for the best and effective results in the patients of NAFLD.

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Introduction

Fatty liver is also known as steatotic liver disease and also hepatic steatosis is a condition where excess fat accumulates in liver cells. Diabetes, obesity, smoking, high triglycerides, and non alcoholic fatty liver disease is also a risk factor that cause liver cancer. NAFLD represents the spectrum of the disease which starts from simple stenosis to fibrosis and is commonly present in 70% of patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes are at higher risk.

Causes Of Fatty Liver

Fatty liver is also caused by various factors like Obesity: excessive weight can lead to a disproportionate fat muscle ratio:

  • Alcohol Consumption: For long term alcohol use can worsen the liver and increase liver disease and cancer.
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: High sugar level in the body can promote accumulation of liver. It can lead to inflammation or formation of scar tissue.
  • High Triglyceride Changes: High levels of triglycerides in the blood can cause fat build up in the liver.

Symptoms Of Fatty Liver

There may be some symptoms:

  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Tiredness, fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dark urine
  • Itching
  • Jaundice (Yellowing of skin and eyes)

Stages Of Fatty Liver

  1. The first stage is Stenosis: A harmless buildup of fat in the liver.
  2. The second stage is Non Alcoholic Steatohepatitis: A more serious form of NAFLD where the liver may be inflamed.
  3. The third stage is Fibrosis: Persistent inflammation causes scar tissue around the liver and nearby blood vessels.
  4. The fourth stage is Cirrhosis: It will be the last and most severe stage of fatty liver. In it the liver will be most affected.

Investigations

  • USG
  • CT SCAN
  • MRI
  • LFT
  • CBC
  • Viral markers
  • Liver Biopsy

FATTY LIVER DISEASE CAN BE TREATED WITH LIFESTYLE CHANGES

  • Eat a healthy diet, limiting sugar and salt in diet, plus eating lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains, Dark chocolate, blueberries, olives and plums. And must avoid a high protein diet, avoid dairy products and processed and packed food, sugary beverages etc.
  • Regular physical activities, aerobic exercises.
  • Avoid alcohol and quit smoking.

FATTY LIVER AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

Fatty liver refers to accumulation of excessive fat in the liver. In ayurveda it is termed as Yakrit Roga (Liver disease), many conditions come into Yakrit Roga, from simple steatosis to hepatomegaly to liver disease. They may be due to an imbalance of Pitta dosha. It helps in digestion of food. So we need to balance pitta dosha by flushing out toxins from the body. In contrast with kapha dosha which is known to be its cold and heavy qualities, it can reduce pitta efficacy in the liver when present in excess amounts. Ayurvedic medications are best and effective. Regular practice of Yoga and Pranayam is preferable for preventive and curative management of NAFLD. Yoga and pranayam are interlinked with ayurveda. Yoga is one of the best philosophies that means for self improvement by gaining the full potential of one’s body, mind and soul. Pranayam (Breathing exercise), Asana (Yogic postures), Dhyana (Meditation) are the popular techniques. Yoga is preferably effective in obesity or to control your diabetes and also corrects liver functions. Surya namaskar on NAFLD is quite difficult so therefore other yogic practices like kapalbhati, dhanurasana, Bhujangasana are beneficials.

SYMPTOMS

  • Udarashoola (Pain in abdomen)
  • Aruchi (Loss of appetite)
  • Utklesha (Feeling of nausea and vomiting)
  • Hritkantahadaha (Heartburn)

MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to reversing the fatty liver. Plan a proper routine to practice yoga and pranayam in your day to day life. It may also help rejuvenate your liver and promote healthy functioning of the liver. Many people can follow this routine: yoga and pranayam, exercises and a balanced diet for fatty liver. Doing yoga for fatty liver may also build strength and boost blood flow also helps in improving digestion. It can also address underlying factors like stress and sedentary lifestyle.

IN YOGA YOU CAN PRACTICE THESE POSES TO REVERSE YOUR DISEASE

  • TRIANGLE POSE (Trikonasana): This is a standing pose which improves the blood flow of the body and targets the liver and also helps in detoxification.
  • SPINAX POSE (Salamba Bhujangasana): This asana helps in core strength, stimulates the abdominal muscle and helps in relaxation.
  • COBRA POSE (Bhujangasana): This asana helps with spinal flexibility, blood flow and also improves the core strength.
  • BOW POSE (Dhanurasana): This pose strengthens the abdomen and compresses the liver which helps in detoxification and enhance immune system.
  • HALF LORD OF FISHES (Ardha Matsyasana): This is a twisting pose which helps in massaging your abdominal organs and also livers.
  • PASCHIMOTTANASANA: This poses manage the spleen, liver, kidney and pancreas.

In Pranayam

  • Kapalbhati Pranayam: This asana enhances blood circulation and stimulates the liver and is very useful in liver disease.
  • Anulom Vilom: It is very beneficial and can help treat various liver issues. This involves alternating between inhaling one nostril and exhaling to the other one.

Procedure

  • Sit cross legged on the ground
  • Inhale deeply
  • Exhales forcefully through your nostrils

BENEFITS OF YOGA AND PRANAYAM IN FATTY LIVER

  • Reduces Fat Depositions: Yoga can help reduce fat deposition in liver by using them as a energy during yoga poses.
  • Improves Liver Functioning: Can stimulate liver enzymes and improves functioning.
  • Strengthen the Liver: The kapalbhati pranayam, bow pose, fish pose can strengthen the liver.
  • Improves Blood Flow: Yoga can improve blood flow and oxygenation which helps remove harmful substances from the body.
  • Helps in Digestion.

Conclusion

In this article we are studying about how yoga and pranayam are effective for treatment of fatty liver. In this we start from introduction then we study their causes, symptoms, investigation, treatment further we see the ayurvedic overview then symptoms according to ayurveda at last we study treatment and yoga and pranayam we do for fatty liver benefits of yoga and Pranayam in Fatty liver patients.

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August 3, 2019

Yogasanas To Control and Prevent Diabetes

Overview

Yoga practice is also useful in the management of various lifestyle disorders including Type 2 Diabetes as the incorporation of yoga practice in daily life helps to attain glycemic control.

Nowadays, Type 2 diabetes has become a common lifestyle disorder which is caused by insulin resistance resulting in chronic hyperglycemia and various other complications. A sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary patterns are the major risk factors for the development of various lifestyle disorders, including diabetes. Psychological stress also increases the severity of diabetes.

Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Yoga, which originated in India more than 5,000 years ago, aims at balancing the body, mind, and soul. Traditionally, yoga is a mind-body practice with the ultimate goal of spiritual enlightenment. It provides opportunities for self-awareness.

The word ‘Yoga’ is a Sanskrit name which means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite’, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Yoga is often compared with the tree and comprises 8 aspects or limbs such as:

  • Yama (Universal ethics)
  • Niyama (Individual ethics)
  • Asana (Physical postures)
  • Pranayama (Breath-control)
  • Pratyahara (Control of the senses)
  • Dharana (Concentration)
  • Dhyana (Meditation)
  • Samadhi (Bliss).

Recognizing its universal appeal, the United Nations on 11th December 2014 proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga.

Many yoga asanas have been found to be beneficial in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes but their judicious use is recommended after a careful assessment of patient’s health.

  • They emphasize on the relationship of mind, body, and awareness and focus on the synchronization of movement and breathing.
  • The key to performing a yoga posture is that it should be performed with stability and comfort and involves stretching, twisting, movements, and relaxation.

Some Yoga Practices Beneficial for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

  1. Surya Namaskar (Sun salutation)
  2. Vakrasan (Spinal twist)
  3. Trikonasana (Triangle pose)
  4. Bhujangasan (Cobra pose)
  5. Pavanmuktasana (Wind relieving pose)
  6. Om Chanting

1.Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation):

This yogic exercise involves a series of various yogic postures which are performed in a series of a specific sequence.

It is a complete yoga asana in itself and involves 11 steps such as

  1. Pranamasana(prayer pose)
  2. Utthana hasthasana(raised arms pose)
  3. padahastanasana(standing forward bend)
  4. ashva sanchalanasana (equestrian pose)
  5. phalakasana(stick pose)
  6. ashtang namaskar(salute with eight points)
  7. bhujangasana(cobra pose)
  8. adho mukha svanasana(downward facing pose)
  9. ashva sanchalanasana(equestrian pose)
  10. padahastanasana(standing forward bend)
  11. pranamasana(mountain pose)

It increases cellular requirements for oxygen and glucose and to meet these requirements, through brain signaling, insulin production is stimulated.

The diabetic patient should practice 3-7 rounds at a slow speed and according to an individual’s capacity.

2. Vakrasan (Spinal Twist)

It is a very basic asana (pose) and it is recommended for overall body health as well.

  • It is a seated yoga posture which improves the function of pancreas.
  • Vakrasan is a pose having seated spinal twist that squeezes the intestines and massage them to prevent the stagnation of colonic contents.
  • It is recommended that diabetic patients should hold the final pose for 15 seconds or as per their capacity and then gradually increase the duration  upto 1 minute.

3.Trikonasana (Triangle pose):

Trikonasana is a standing pose that works on all areas of the abdomen and further helps in keeping the kidneys in good working condition.

  • It improves blood supply and enhances insulin receptor expression in the muscles.
  • It is recommended to hold the final pose for 15 seconds and gradually increases the duration up to 1 minute.

4.Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):

Bhujangasana is a prone pose that stimulates and massages the pancreas and helps in the proper functioning of the gland.

  • This pose allows more blood to circulate in the pancreas and the whole body region.
  • Due to an increase in the amount of blood flow, the efficiency of beta-cells increases.
  • Diabetic patients should hold the final pose for 15 seconds and then gradually increase the duration up to 1 minute.

5.Pavanmuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose):

Pavanmuktasana is supine pose often known as ‘gas releasing pose’ and it braces up the entire system of the body including pancreas, liver, spleen, abdomen and abdominal muscles.

  • This asana causes a contraction in the abdominal muscles which improve the functionality of the abdominal organs.
  • Diabetic patients should hold the final pose for 15 seconds and gradually increase the duration up to 1 minute.

Om Chanting

6.Om Chanting

Several types of researches have shown that chanting Om is based on the physics of sound, resonance, vibrations, etc. that has a positive effect on health.

  • Chanting Om results in the removal of negative thoughts, an increase of energy, relaxation of brain and body.
  • Thus, chanting Om in supine posture produces an integrated relaxation response, which may have a clinical significance in the management of diabetes and hypertension.

Thus, Yoga postures help in the stretching of abdominal muscles which help in the regeneration of pancreatic cells and there is an improvement in the sensitivity of beta-cells to glucose, thereby there is an improvement in the secretion of insulin, increase in the blood supply to the muscles and muscle relaxation, thereby improving glucose uptake.

In addition to Yoga Asanas (Yoga Poses), Yogic breathing (Pranayam), Dhyaan (Meditation) have positive effects on the sugar levels and it is recommended in the management of diabetes.

Meditation

Meditation has been shown to cause physiological changes in the brain and meditators are less prone to stress.

  • The mental stability that is attained through Meditation helps diabetic patients.
  • Mindfulness Meditation is advocated for better sleep, greater relaxation, positivity in life etc.

Pranayama

Pranayama is control of breath. “Prana” is a breath or vital energy in the body.  The slow breathing technique involved in Pranayama causes comprehensive changes in the physiology of the body as it controls the autonomic nervous system.

  • Pranayama such as Bhastrika Pranayam (bellow-breathing) is energetic and powerful pranayama known as “the breath of fire”.
  • This pranayama helps in the regulation of pituitary, pineal, and adrenal glands which play an important role in the regulation of metabolism.

Yoga also prevents the development of diabetes in individuals who have a high risk of developing diabetes and also a results in a reduction of fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar (blood sugar after meals), anti-diabetic drug requirements thus suggesting improved glycemic control.

Its regular practice helps in enhancing awareness of the mind and body which is needed in the self-management of diet in diabetes. Moreover, regular yoga practice also reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications.

Effective Home Remedies To Control Blood Sugar Level

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