"Hot" yoga isn't better for your heart: study

By Alan Mozes

HealthDay reporter

FRIDAY, Jan 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) - It's called "hot" yoga because it's practiced in oppressive temperatures, and some research has shown that it could improve heart health more than traditional yoga.

However, a new study suggests that adding heat to your Half Moon pose doesn't increase cardiac benefits.

"We were surprised to find that an unheated practice appeared to have the same vascular health benefits as the heated practice," admitted study author Stacy Hunter. She is an Assistant Professor of Exercise and Exercise Science at the Texas State University Institute of Health and Human Performance in San Marcos.

"Previous research has shown that sauna therapy alone can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease," said Hunter. "So we thought the area around Bikram was heated Yoga would produce a bigger response and be more useful. "

The researchers found that Bikram Yoga has a global following and involves going through a sequence of 26 standard yoga poses in 105 degrees of heat.

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It was controversial whether Bikram yoga invigorated a process known as vasodilation, Hunter said. Vasodilation is linked to the production of nitric oxide, which helps fight off inflammation. Therefore, excessive vasodilation can ultimately slow or retard the hardening of the arteries, which is a known risk factor for heart attack or stroke.

In a previous study, Jäger's team found that middle-aged Bikram yoga participants experienced increased vasodilation.

However, the question remained whether this was triggered by Bikram's high temperature environment or whether this could also be the case with yoga at normal temperatures.

To answer that question, investigators focused on 52 sedentary but healthy adults aged 40 to 60 years.

The study participants were randomly assigned to one of three different groups. One group practiced Bikram in a hot environment; A second group practiced Bikram in a room at 73 degrees. and a third "control" group was not assigned to either of the Bikram classes.

For three months, the two Bikram groups took part in three 90-minute yoga classes per week. In addition, the researchers measured the vasodilation levels of each participant.

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In the end, the researchers found that both Bikram groups had similar improvements in their vasodilation levels regardless of room temperature.

The study's authors also found that some older adults become less tolerant of heat as they age. Therefore, the finding may be of interest to seniors attracted to the potential heart health benefits of yoga but unaware of excessive heat exposure.

The results were published in the January 18 issue of Experimental Physiology.

Dr. Gregg Fonarow, co-director of UCLA's preventive cardiology program in Los Angeles, cautioned that there is no solid evidence that any form of yoga offers a leg up when it comes to heart health.

"There are several factors that can affect vasodilation that do not reduce cardiovascular events. These results are not sufficient evidence to draw conclusions about the potential benefits of yoga or Bikram yoga for cardiovascular health, "Fonarow said.

"Individuals interested in improving cardiovascular health should follow evidence-based recommendations on physical activity, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and not smoking," he added.

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Bikram Yoga International did not respond to a request for comment from HealthDay.

https://thedailyhealthjournal.com/hot-yoga-isnt-better-for-your-heart-study/