Breathing Exercises for Better Metabolic Health: How Controlled Breathwork Can Support Your Wellness
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Research is increasingly showing that controlled breathing exercises can do more than just calm your mind—they can also positively impact your metabolism. Studies suggest that breathwork not only helps reduce stress but may also improve glucose control, offering a holistic approach to metabolic health.
How Breathwork Impacts Metabolism
Breathwork techniques such as coherent breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and alternate nostril breathing are known to lower stress hormones like cortisol. Since cortisol plays a significant role in metabolic functions, reducing it can potentially improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels, and curb cravings for sugary foods. Additionally, studies indicate that breathwork improves heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, oxidative stress, and glucose control, particularly for those with diabetes. For instance, one study found that breathwork before and after consuming a glucose drink delayed and minimized the blood sugar peak.
Diaphragmatic Breathing: The Science Behind It
Of all the breathwork styles, diaphragmatic breathing—also known as belly breathing—has been the most researched. It involves taking deep, slow breaths that engage the diaphragm, expanding the belly with each inhale and slowing the breathing rate. This method is believed to reduce cortisol, support heart health, and enhance overall metabolic fitness. Diaphragmatic breathing is an ancient practice, long recognized in traditions like yoga and martial arts for its health benefits, and modern science is now affirming these insights.
The Cortisol Connection: Stress and Metabolic Health
Cortisol, our body's primary stress hormone, is critical for managing how we process carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and it also regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels. While short bursts of cortisol during acute stress are natural, chronic stress can lead to consistently high levels of cortisol, which negatively impacts our metabolic health. Chronic stress, often a result of modern-day pressures like work and technology, can contribute to metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.
Elevated cortisol levels drive up blood sugar by promoting insulin resistance and stimulating the liver to produce more glucose. Over time, this can lead to chronically high blood sugar levels and contribute to metabolic disorders. Additionally, stress-induced cortisol spikes can enhance cravings for sugary and high-fat foods, further affecting metabolic health.
Reducing Cortisol with Breathwork
One of the most effective ways to lower cortisol is through deep breathing exercises. A study found that 20 sessions of diaphragmatic breathing significantly reduced salivary cortisol levels, indicating lower stress. Another study demonstrated that 30 minutes of slow breathing twice daily reduced the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body's fight-or-flight response.
Breathwork after exercise may also help reduce the cortisol rise typically associated with physical exertion, protecting the body from the negative effects of stress and free radicals.
Breathwork’s Influence on Glucose Control
Breathwork doesn’t just reduce cortisol—it may also directly improve glucose control. Studies on people with Type 2 diabetes have shown that consistent practice of breathwork, such as coherent breathing, improved HRV and lowered HbA1c levels (a marker of long-term glucose control). Other research suggests that breathwork can reduce oxidative stress and improve insulin sensitivity, particularly in individuals with metabolic conditions.
A study even found that performing breathwork before and after consuming a glucose drink delayed and lessened the blood sugar spike, suggesting that controlled breathing may support short-term glucose regulation.
Simple Breathwork Techniques to Try
Here are a few breathwork techniques you can try to support your metabolic health:
Coherent Breathing:
- Sit or lie down comfortably.
- Exhale fully, then inhale slowly through your nose for a count of six.
- Exhale for another count of six, making sure to empty your lungs completely.
- Repeat for several minutes until you feel relaxed.
Alternate Nostril Breathing:
- Sit comfortably and close one nostril with your finger.
- Inhale slowly through the open nostril, then close it and exhale through the other.
- Alternate nostrils with each breath for several minutes.
Final Thoughts
Breathing techniques like those used at Quantum Clinic are an accessible, non-invasive way to improve your metabolic health by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. By practicing coherent breathing or other slow-breathing techniques, you can lower cortisol levels, support glucose control, and enhance overall well-being. So, the next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a few moments to focus on your breath—it may just be the key to a healthier you.
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