Research in Taiwan suggests that regular Tai Chi practise improves type 2 Diabetes.
Researchers at Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung, Taiwan found that regular practise of Tai Chi helped improve T cell function involved with Diabetes. (T cells assist the white blood cells in immunologic processes)
12 Week Course in Tai Chi
In the study they investigated the effects of a 12-week course of Tai Chi exercise on T cell helpers. A control group of 30 pairs of patients with type 2 Diabetes was used in the study. Measurements were taken before and after the 12 week course.
RESULTS:
The Diabetes group had higher fasting glucose levels prior to the Tai Chi 12 week programme. At the end of the programme the same levels measured again and the changes were significantly lower. Diabetics have problems dealing with the amount of glucose circulating in their blood steam that cannot be absorbed into the cells. After the 12 week Tai Chi course the participants had significantly less glucose circulating that had to be dealt with.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition caused by too much glucose in the blood. It affects 2.8 million people in the UK. Experts believe that there are another million people who do not know that they have the condition. This disease can have adverse affects of the eyes, heart, kidney, nerves and feet.
What Causes Diabetes?
Under normal circumstances the amount of sugar in your bloodstream is controlled by Insulin secreted from the Pancreas. During digestion insulin removes the glucose from your bloodstream and into your cells to be broken down and turned into energy. However, for people with diabetes they cannot breakdown the glucose into energy. This inability to breakdown the glucose is either caused by too little insulin or it is not the right quality to successfully do the job intended. This is called insulin resistance.
