Weve written before about the benefits of Tai Chi for your brain fitness and your immune system. In fact, we go into some detail on this topic in a couple sections of our new book, BrainFit for Life. Now a new study shows some striking effects of a year-long Tai Chi program at dramatically reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. The new paper published by Chin Lang et al. in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine details the evaluation of 53 patients with clinically problematic high cholesterol or triglycerides. About half of the patients in this study participated in a 12-month Tai Chi program while the other half continued their typical sedentary lifestyle. Since all of the patients were classified as high risk for cardiovascular illness, they remained on cholesterol reducing medication in both groups. The group that received Tai Chi saw a significant improvement on many fronts. Their blood pressure dropped, their total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) went down, their insulin levels decreased and markers of excess inflammation fell as well. The sedentary control group saw a slight reduction in blood pressure but their cholesterol and triglyceride levels actually got worse - even though they remained on cholesterol reducing medication (chalk up another point for exercise). Beyond these blood markers, the Tai Chi group also experienced improvements on measure of physical fitness. They significantly improved their exercising heart rate, oxygen uptake and ventilation. The sedentary group saw no such benefits, and, in fact, saw a decline in several fitness markers. This study provides more positive data for the health benefits of Tai Chi. Why is it so good for you? No one really knows the definitive answer to that, but there are likely many factors. First, Tai Chi involves slow and deliberate movements that help regulate breathing and focus, which contributes to better stress management. A plethora of studies have shown the health boosting benefits of reducing stress, so this alone is a major plus. Second, Tai Chi provides moderate levels of exercise that mixes cardiovascular with strength training - holding those poses aint easy. Even though the movements are slow, practitioners experience a sustained elevation of heart rate. Maybe not as much as shakin your booty in a jazzercise class, but elevated all the same. Third, Tai Chi helps improve balance and coordination. This is a huge benefit for older folks, since falling is the number one cause of injury in this age group. Younger folks glean benefit from this aspect as well, especially anyone engaged in athletics. Balance control is central to performance in many sports. Fourth, often times, folks perform Tai Chi in a group setting, involving the social support aspect. We have written about the huge benefits of social support in the past. In fact, a couple other recent studies found that social support significantly helps recovery from a stroke or heart attack while social isolation makes it worse. Tai Chi, considered a soft martial art, has been around in Chinese culture for a couple hundred years and is now making its way to the rest of the world. It shouldnt be that difficult anymore to find a Tai Chi class in a community near you. Whether youre a busy professional needing to reduce some stress, a retired individual needing to keep your brain and body fit or a patient fighting an illness, Tai Chi seems to have a little something for everyone. Reference: Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2008) 14:7, 813-819.
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About the Author:
Dr. Simon Evans holds a PhD in molecular biology with 15 years research and teaching experience in neuroscience and a current faculty position in the Psychiatry Department at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, the American Society for Nutrition and the Michigan Metabolomics and Obesity Center; with expertise in neurochemistry and nutrition. He is the author of dozens of scientific publications on stress, depression and brain function as well as the acclaimed book, BrainFit for Life, published in the Spring of 2008.
Dr. Evans also holds a national coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation and over two decades coaching experience, which enables him to help people find and use their full potential. Dr. Evans has merged his interests in brain function, health, and performance coaching into public seminars and workshops designed to educate audiences about brain health and motivate them to take action to achieve it. http://www.brainfitforlife.com