title: Menopause, the metabolic syndrome, and mind-body therapies.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease risk rises sharply with menopause, likely due to the coincident increase in insulin resistance and related atherogenic changes that together comprise the metabolic or insulin resistance syndrome, a cluster of metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalities strongly implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease. A growing body of research suggests that traditional mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi, and qigong may offer safe and cost-effective strategies for reducing insulin resistance syndrome-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease in older populations, including postmenopausal women. Current evidence suggests that these practices may reduce insulin resistance and related physiological risk factors for cardiovascular disease; improve mood, well-being, and sleep; decrease sympathetic activation; and enhance cardiovagal function. However, additional rigorous studies are needed to confirm existing findings and to examine long-term effects on cardiovascular health.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health Systems, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0905, USA. kei6n@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Kim E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Innes
authors.forename: Terry Kit
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Selfe
authors.forename: Ann Gill
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D026302:Tai Ji; D016387:Women's Health; D015013:Yoga
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