Meditation shown to improve health
By: Shamane Mills, Wisconsin Public Radio, Superior Telegram
Clinical trials done at the Medical College of Wisconsin show transcendental meditation substantially lowers the rate of heart attack, stroke and death.
Doctors have known for decades that stress can contribute to heart disease. Preventing stress, however, can be easier said than done -- and measuring what's gained health-wise even harder. Now researchers may have done that. Dr. Robert Schneider led a study of people with narrowing of the arteries. Those who practiced transcendental meditation had a 47 percent lower rate of heart attack or death. He says while there’s been a lot of research of negative mind-body connections, there’s been little done on positive aspects. Schneider says the use of transcendental meditation is a specific technique that’s objective, measurable and easy to do.
Schneider directs the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University in Fairfield, Iowa. He oversaw a nine-year study conducted at the Medical College in Milwaukee.It involved 200 African Americans with heart disease. Some practiced transcendental meditation, others didn’t. Instead they were told how to eat better and exercise. All of those who took medication continued to do so. Neither group had to eat better or work out, and Schneider says few participants made significant lifestyle changes.
The study findings were presented this week at the American Heart Association'’s annual meeting.
RSS Feeds