LONDON: Tai Chi Chuan, the traditional Chinese martial arts exercises, could help curb symptoms of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.
The study suggested that Tai Chi might prompt a fall in blood glucose levels, or improve blood glucose metabolism, triggering a drop in the inflammatory response, reports the British Medical Journal.
The findings of the study indicate that regular Tai Chi Chuan exercise improves T cell helper function of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an increase in T-bet transcription factor and IL-12 production.
T cells are a vital constituent of the body's immune system, which generate powerful chemicals, including interleukins (ILs), which alter the immune response.
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Medical News Today - UK
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Also see: Metabolic Syndrome and Tai Chi
Diabetes. A Louisiana State University study found that people who had plantar peripheral neuropathy due to diabetes, after 24 weeks of Tai Chi classes enjoyed an increased sensitivity of the soles of the feet, greater balance, and faster walking speed. (Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi. Page 118.)
Diabetes. A few studies, including one randomized trial, have reported improvements in blood sugar control following Tai Chi training. However, most of the more rigorous RCTs have not reported any apparent benefit of Tai Ch on glucose metabolism. (Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi. Page 158.)
Read more at Harvard Health Publications ...
NOTE FROM TP TAI CHI & QIGONG INSTRUCTOR, BILL DOUGLAS: Harvard's Guide to Tai Chi emphasizes the importance of incorporating visualization/meditative experience with Tai Chi movement. Not all Tai Chi teachers incorporate this crucial element of Tai Chi. In my current classes two of my students have reported on how their blood sugar levels have changed since beginning my classes. One student was on insulin when she started my classes, and is now off insulin (note, I do not make any medical recommendations, only suggesting that students let their physicians know they are practicing Tai Chi, in case it may affect their blood sugar levels.) Another of my students was poised to go on insulin, two years ago, when he had maxed out on three prediabetic medications, including daily injections. In recent months, his physician took him off two of those medications, including the injections, because his blood sugar levels were normalizing, and he is now closely observing to see if his patient will need to discontinue the third remaining medication.)
British Journal of Sports Medicine
http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/43/11/845
Regular Tai Chi Chuan exercise improves T cell helper function of patients with type 2 diabetes
mellitus with an increase in T-bet transcription factor and IL-12 production
Abstract
Background: Exercise has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM); its benefit to immune function, however, remains to be determined.
Objective: This study investigated the effect of a 12-week course of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise on T cell helper (Th) reaction in patients with type 2 DM.
Methods: A case-control study was performed in 30 pairs of patients with type 2 DM and normal age-matched adults. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, mediators (interleukin (IL)-12, IL-4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)β) and transcription factors (T-bet, GATA-3 and FoxP3) of Th1/Th2/T regulatory (Treg) reaction were measured before and after a 12-week TCC exercise programme.
Results: Fasting glucose and HbA1c levels in the patients with type 2 DM were significantly higher than in age-matched controls before exercise. After TCC exercise, HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 DM significantly decreased (7.59 (0.32)% vs 7.16 (0.22)%; p = 0.047) and blood levels of IL-12 increased significantly (5.96 (1.10) vs 12.96 (3.07); p = 0.035). To study the molecular Th1/Th2/Treg reaction, patients with type 2 DM were found to have lower T-bet but not GATA-3 or FoxP3 expression than normal controls before TCC exercise. After the 12-week TCC exercise T-bet expression significantly increased in patients with type 2 DM.
Conclusions: A 12-week TCC exercise programme decreases HbA1c levels along with an increase in the Th1 reaction. A combination of TCC with medication may provide an even better improvement in both metabolism and immunity of patients with type 2 DM.
Researchers in Taiwan carried out a case-control study of 30 pairs of type 2 diabetics to investigate the effects of a 12-week course in tai chi exercise on T cell helper reaction in type 2 diabetics. After 12-weeks of tai chi the tai chi group had decrease HbA1c levels and increased T cell helper reaction. This indicates that a combination of tai chi along with medication may be beneficial both to metabolism and immunity in type 2 diabetics.
ABSTRACT:
Br J Sports Med. 2009 Oct;43(11):845-50. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2007.043562. Epub 2008 Apr 2.
Regular Tai Chi Chuan exercise improves T cell helper function of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with an increase in T-bet transcription factor and IL-12 production.
Yeh SH, Chuang H, Lin LW, Hsiao CY, Wang PW, Liu RT, Yang KD.
Source
Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Exercise has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM); its benefit to immune function, however, remains to be determined.
OBJECTIVE:
This study investigated the effect of a 12-week course of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) exercise on T cell helper (Th) reaction in patients with type 2 DM.
METHODS:
A case-control study was performed in 30 pairs of patients with type 2 DM and normal age-matched adults. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, mediators (interleukin (IL)-12, IL-4 and transforming growth factor (TGF)beta) and transcription factors (T-bet, GATA-3 and FoxP3) of Th1/Th2/T regulatory (Treg) reaction were measured before and after a 12-week TCC exercise programme.
RESULTS:
Fasting glucose and HbA1c levels in the patients with type 2 DM were significantly higher than in age-matched controls before exercise. After TCC exercise, HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 DM significantly decreased (7.59 (0.32)% vs 7.16 (0.22)%; p = 0.047) and blood levels of IL-12 increased significantly (5.96 (1.10) vs 12.96 (3.07); p = 0.035). To study the molecular Th1/Th2/Treg reaction, patients with type 2 DM were found to have lower T-bet but not GATA-3 or FoxP3 expression than normal controls before TCC exercise. After the 12-week TCC exercise T-bet expression significantly increased in patients with type 2 DM.
CONCLUSIONS:
A 12-week TCC exercise programme decreases HbA1c levels along with an increase in the Th1 reaction. A combination of TCC with medication may provide an even better improvement in both metabolism and immunity of patients with type 2 DM.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18385192?ordinalpos=
1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.
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A total of 5 studies were included: 2 randomized controlled trials and 3 nonrandomized clinical trials. The results of the studies were mixed and conflicting, with some showing greater improvements in blood glucose levels compared with exercise, and others showing no effects from Tai Chi interventions.
- Medscape Today, from WebMD, 10/26/2010
Read entire article at:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/729132
DIABETES. T'ai Chi's stress management and increased circulation qualities make it ideal for diabetes. A Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology study found that blood sugar could be lowered successfully by doing QiGong exercises. 42.9 percent of patients in the study were able to take less medicine while having more staple foods. Nanjing University's study found that Tai Chi exercise helped to regulate metabolic disorder of type 2 diabetes mellitus with geriatric obesity by regulating the nervous-endocrine system in the body.