Effects of Laghoo Shankaprakshalana (yogic colon cleansing) on anthropometric measurements in obese individuals.

Objectives: Obesity is considered as one of the major public health burden and it is predictor of cardiovascular risk factor. Yoga is a mind-body medicine helps to promote health. This study was aimed to explore whether Laghoo Shankaprashalana (LS) reduce the body weight in obese individuals.

Methods: This was a single group pre-post study. A total of 40 subjects (9 Male, 31 Female) aged between 18 and 40 years were recruited. This study was conducted in government yoga and naturopathy medical college, Chennai. Subjects were practiced weekly once LS for eight weeks (eight sessions). Subjects were assessed pre and post on body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist hip ratio, pulse rate and blood pressure. Variables were analyzed using Paired sample t test except waist hip ratio, which were analyzed using Wilcoxon's signed ranks test.

Results: There was significant reduction in the body weight (p<0.001, 5.81 %), Body Mass Index (p<0.001, 5.88 %), Waist Circumference (p<0.001, 7.20 %), Hip Circumference (p<0.001, 5.04 %), and Waist Hip Circumference (p<0.001, 3.19 %) after LS. However, there was no statistical significance difference in pulse rate, blood pressure.

Conclusions: Eight sessions of Laghoo Shankaprakshalana helps to reduces body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist hip ratio. Reduction in the waist circumference might helps to reduce the cardiovascular risk. LS may be one of the cost effective intervention that can be incorporated in the weight loss regimen.