Background: Dyslipidemia poses a high risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke in Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). There are no studies on the impact of a validated integrated yoga lifestyle protocol on lipid profiles in a high-risk diabetes population. Methods: Here, we report the results of lipid profile values of 11,254 (yoga 5932 and control 5322) adults (20–70 years) of both genders with high risk (≥60 on Indian diabetes risk score) for diabetes from a nationwide rural and urban community-based two group (yoga and conventional management) cluster randomized controlled trial. The yoga group practiced a validated integrated yoga lifestyle protocol (DYP) in nine day camps followed by daily one-hour practice. Biochemical profiling included glycated hemoglobin and lipid profiles before and after three months. Results: There was a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001 ANCOVA) with improved serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein in the yoga group compared to the control group. Further, the regulatory effect of yoga was noted with a significant decrease or increase in those with high or low values of lipids, respectively, with marginal or no change in those within the normal range. Conclusion: Yoga lifestyle improves and regulates (lowered if high, increased if low) the blood lipid levels in both genders of prediabetic and diabetic individuals in both rural and urban Indian communities.

INTRODUCTION Chronic diseases present a large burden to the health costs of any country. [1] Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that are not curable by drug treatments are termed chronic; they are largely responsible for the huge cost burdens that are straining the finances of many nations today, with large percentages of GDP being lost to health expenditures and associated costs. [2] The solution to this problem may be held by systems of traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) such as Ayurveda and Yoga Medicine in India [3] , and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in China. [4] In both countries reports circulate at a popular level of cases successfully treated [5] ; systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly published. [6] This paper presents a set of five unusual cases of various NCDs that illustrate the potential importance of TCAM in finding a solution to the present problem of chronic disease.

Background: The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in India is a cause for national concern, particularly the spiraling cost burden to the country. As one approach to stop its increase, Yoga medicine has been widely implemented, finding popularity with all social strata. Here, we report a study suggesting that treatment with fresh herbal juices and Yoga can improve the levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with pre-diabetes. Methods: Study design: 3-arm controlled trial 3 months in duration. Participants: 157 male prisoners with newly diagnosed, high fasting blood sugar (FBS) and postprandial blood sugar (PPBS) levels. Group interventions: (1) Rasahara and Yoga, (2) Yoga, (3) no intervention. Assessments: FBS and PPBS levels were measured every 2 weeks; HbA1c and blood lipids were determined pre- and post-intervention. Results: Significant decreases occurred in the FBS (-21.13 ± 21.16 mg/dl) and PPBS levels (-15.02 ± 14.89 mg/dl) in group 1 (both p < 0.0001) and in the FBS level (20.62 ± 32.68 mg/dl) in group 2 (p = 0.0005), while the increases in group 3 attained significance only for the PPBS level (9.62 ± 21.83 mg/dl) (p = 0.0022). Observed changes in HbA1c were: group 1, -0.044 ± 0.059 mg/dl; group 2, +0.024 ± 0.456 mg/dl (not significant); and group 3, +0.365 ± 0.369 mg/dl (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study of Yoga for the treatment of diabetes shows that all male prisoners could benefit from the Yoga prison programs. Addition of Yoga programs to state and federal activities at all levels is now national policy in India. Follow-up studies should be carried out to obtain more robust results.

Background: Elevated creatinine levels are a well-known measure of kidney dysfunction, and a criterion for dialysis, with its low life expectancy problems. Despite this, dialysis is commonly used to lower creatinine levels as it is the only recognised means of doing so. Here we present results of a pilot controlled trial showing that treating newly diagnosed diabetic patients with herbal juices and/or Yoga can also lower creatinine levels. Methods: a three month controlled trial was conducted on 112 incarcerated males aged 40.8±11.1 yrs with newly diagnosed elevated fasting blood sugar levels. Informed Consent was obtained from all participants. Ethical Clearance: was obtained from S-VYASA’s IEC. Interventions comprised fresh herbal juices and yoga; yoga; and no intervention controls. Assessments of creatinine levels were made on days zero and 90, pre/post the intervention. Those performing the assessments were blind to the reason for, and nature of, the study. Statistical analysis used SPSS-20. Findings: Significant reductions (all p < 0.001) of creatinine levels were observed in the herbal juices and yoga group (0.15±0.06), and yoga alone group (0.09±0.06) Control group levels increased by 0.12±0.07. Between group differences were also significant. Interpretation: Results suggest that a combination of daily intake of herbal juices and regular Yoga practice improves kidney function more than regular Yoga practice alone. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registration of India, Ref/2015/03/008680. Funding: The study was privately funded by Bhopal Central Jail and the first author. Conflict of Interest: P. Datey is founder-owner of Bhopal’s five Rasahara Kendra clinics.