Tai chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, has been shown to reduce stress as well as improve strength, flexibility and balance. Now research reports that tai chi may help improve type 2 diabetes symptoms. Chronic inflammation is associated with diabetes due to high blood sugar levels. The study suggests that tai chi improved blood glucose metabolism, the inflammatory response and immunity in diabetic patients.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, examined the effects of tai chi on patients with type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Chang Gung University in Taiwan, administered tai chi to 30 patients with type 2 diabetes and 30 healthy participants (control) for 12 weeks. Immune response and blood glucose levels were obtained from the participants.
The researchers found that the tai chi group had significantly lower blood sugar and HbA1c glycated haemoglobin (blood glucose concentration marker) levels. Furthermore, interleukin-12 (boosts immunity) levels were doubled while interleukin-4 (suppresses immunity) were lowered. There was also a significant increase in T cell (immune white blood cell) activity.
“A 12-week TCC [tai chi chuan] exercise programme decreases HbA1c levels along with an increase in the Th1 reaction,” the study authors write. “A combination of TCC with medication may provide an even better improvement in both metabolism and immunity of patients with type 2 DM [diabetes mellitus].”
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