Effect of yogic exercises on thyroid function in subjects resident at sea level upon exposure to high altitude

Abstract

Using radioactive iodine, the effect of 1 month's yogic exercises has been investigated on the thyroid function of subjects resident at sea level (SL) specially after their exposure to high altitude (HA). The results have been compared with a group of SL subjects who underwent physical training (PT) exercises for the same duration. Ten healthy male volunteers in the age range of 20-30 years were used as test subjects in this study with each serving as his own control. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 5 each. One group practised hatha yogic exercises, while the other group performed the regular PT exercises. The thyroidal accumulation and release of radioactive iodine have been measured in each of the subjects of both groups before and after 1 month of their respective exercises at SL. One month of yogic exercises at SL has been observed to cause a significant reduction in the trans-thyroidal availability of radioiodine. The thyroid radioactivity in this group of subjects was always below normal levels with the exception of two peaks of radioactive iodine uptake, when the levels of radioactivity in the thyroid were similar to the control values of pre-yogic exercises. The release of radiolabel at 24-48 h was significantly increased after yogic exercises. In contrast, the subjects performing PT exercises for the same duration at SL showed significant thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine at 24 h. Subsequently their 131I uptake continued to rise slowly until 72 h without any demonstrable thyroidal release of radiolabel. This indicated that increased thyroid activity was induced by conventional PT exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of yoga exercise therapy on oxidative stress indicators with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis

“…Few studies have investigated the effect of yoga exercises on thyroid function. [47] In a study by Rawal and colleagues, who investigated the effect of one month's yoga and physical training exercise on the thyroid function of subjects, resident at sea level, a greater increase in thyroidal activity was induced by the conventional physical training exercise compared to yoga. [47]…”

Is Man Able to Breathe Once a Minute for an Hour?: The Effect of Yoga Respiration on Blood Gases.

“…The hatha-yoga exercise is considered to improve body functions through the manipulation of cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, and other control mechanisms [7]. Ray et al [3] concluded that the practice-selected hatha-yoga exercises can improve muscular endurance and delay the onset of fatigue in middle-aged man.…”

Yoga Intervention as a Potential Countermeasure for Polar T3 Syndrome

“…In control group steady decrease in serum TT 3 , TT 4 and increase in TSH throughout the study suggest their thyroid status from euthyroid to subclinical hypothyroidism indicating polar T 3 syndrome in them as reported by other similar studies 2,6,9 . However in yoga group there is an initial increase in serum TT 3 and TT 4 in May month may be because yoga practice is known to induce hypo-metabolic state thereby decreased peripheral requirement of thyroid hormones 27,31 . Further decrease in weather temperature (Fig.…”

“…There are many studies on beneficial effects of yoga [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] and it has been reported helpful in imparting cold tolerance also 26 . Yoga induces decreased peripheral demand of thyroid hormones 27 and help in management of hypothyroidism 28,29 but it's efficacy under Antarctic environment is not known. Therefore, it may be hypothesised that yogic intervention for winter members in Antarctica may help mitigating polar T 3 Syndrome.…”