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Yoga users report better health outcomes, general wellness

Compared with individuals who used natural supplements or who underwent spinal manipulation, those who did yoga reported better perceived health behaviors and wellness outcomes, according to recently published data from the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC.

Researchers analyzed data from the 2012 Nation Health Interview Survey to assess trends in use of yoga, spinal manipulation and natural product supplements among U.S. adults aged 18 years and older (n = 34,525).  

Participants who did yoga reported higher perceived rates of each of the four health outcomes including:

• exercising more often;
• eating healthier;
• limiting or ceasing alcohol consumption; and
• limiting or ceasing smoking.

Results demonstrated that yoga and supplements were more likely to be used for wellness reasons, rather than as a treatment for a health condition.

Four out of five supplement users reported taking them for general wellness or disease prevention, and more than 40% of users reported improving immune system as their reason for using.

Focus on the person – mind, body and spirit — improved energy, and improved immune function, memory, or concentration were all reported as reasons for use among the majority of yoga users.

The most commonly reported wellness reason among all three interventions was general wellness or disease prevention.

Spinal manipulation was more likely to be used as a treatment method, with more than 60% of users reporting treatment as reason for use. Additionally, more than 50% of users also reported use for general wellness or disease prevention.

Among many yoga and supplement users, reduced stress, better sleep and feeling emotionally better were all perceived health outcomes.

“Yoga users reported higher rates of all the wellness-related reasons and perceived health outcomes compared with users of natural product supplements or spinal manipulation. Of note, while differences exist across complementary health approaches, the majority of users of all three approaches perceived that use of a particular complementary health approach improved their overall health and made them feel better,” the researchers concluded. – by Casey Hower