Modified Qigong Breathing Exercise for Reducing the Sense of Hunger on an Empty Stomach.

Author: Voroshilov AP1, Volinsky AA2, Wang Z3, Marchenko EV4
Affiliation:
11 "Mediana" Medical Center, Kiev, Ukraine.
22 University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
33 Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
44 Fasting Solutions, Clearwater, FL, USA.
Conference/Journal: J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med.
Date published: 2017 Jan 1
Other: Volume ID: 2156587217707143 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/2156587217707143. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 159


BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine whether a modified Qigong breathing exercise can reduce the sense of hunger and identify possible mechanisms.

METHODS: The results from the test group, which performed the exercise, are compared with the control group, which performed deep breathing. Intestinal pressure measurements, stomach pH monitoring, and participant surveys were used for assessment.

RESULTS: Stomach pH was increased by 3 (0.2) and intestinal pressure was reduced by 12 (0.5) mm Hg in the experimental group and did not change significantly in the control group. The study provides strong evidence that the exercise can significantly reduce, or even suppress the sense of hunger on an empty stomach.

CONCLUSION: This breathing exercise provides comfort in different circumstances, such as lack of regular meals, limited volume or caloric diet, and even during temporary complete absence of food in therapeutic fasting.

KEYWORDS: Qigong; acid suppressive therapy; eating behavior; fasting; intestinal pressure; obesity; overeating; pH monitoring; sense of hunger; yoga

PMID: 28497701 DOI: 10.1177/2156587217707143

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