Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus using Yoga: Implications for immunological and autonomic dysfunction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction, leading to systemic inflammation and autonomic nervous system impairment. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy and cardiac autonomic neuropathy significantly increase risks of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Metabolic disturbances such as oxidative stress, polyol pathway activation and AGEs contribute to progressive neuronal and microvascular injury. Emerging evidence shows that yoga improves glycaemic control, autonomic balance and neuro-endocrine functioning in individuals with T2DM. Thus, we show that yoga as a complementary therapeutic approach to mitigate neuro-immunological dysregulation and enhance cardiovascular health in T2DM.