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Effects of Static Meditation Practice on Blood Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Michele Antonelli1, Davide Donelli2, Filippo Luca Gurgoglione2
1Department of Public Health, AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2024
Summary
Static meditation practice, including Ayurvedic and mindfulness techniques, is associated with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in adults. Regular practice shows significant reductions, particularly in triglycerides.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
- Meditation is a widely practiced technique with potential health benefits.
- Understanding the specific impact of different meditation styles on lipid profiles is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze the effects of static meditation practices on cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- To identify which types of meditation techniques are most effective for improving lipid profiles.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to December 2023.
- Included 16 clinical studies (11 trials, 5 observational) with 1147 participants.
- Meta-analysis was performed to quantify the impact on cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Main Results:
- Ayurvedic meditation linked to lower total cholesterol; mindfulness to reduced total cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Eastern spiritual meditation associated with improved HDL cholesterol.
- Meta-analysis showed average reductions of -13.91 mg/dL for cholesterol (p=0.02) and -32.56 mg/dL for triglycerides (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
- Regular static meditation practice is associated with favorable changes in lipid profiles, notably reducing triglyceride levels.
- Different meditation styles may have varying impacts on specific lipid parameters.
- Further research is recommended to elucidate the relationship between meditation and physiological parameters.
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