Yoga May Help EaseHigh Blood Pressure

People who followthe ancient practice of yoga may be getting an added health boost,with a newstudy suggesting it can fight high blood pressure一also known as

hypertension.

"This studyconfirms many people's feelings that exercise may be useful in the control ofhypertension,"said Dr. Howard."Yoga would be a useful adjunct in thelowering of

blood pressure incertain populations."

_________(46)Althoughthe study couldn't prove a cause-and-effect relationship,doing yoga two tothree times a week was associated with an average drop in blood pressure

readings from 133/80 to 130/77,the researchers said.

In comparison,theaverage decrease in blood pressure was smaller(134/83 to 132/82)among peoplewho ate a special diet but did not do yoga.

In a bit of asurprise,doing yoga in tandem with a special diet did not outperform doing yogaalone.___________(47)

Dr. Howard said thestudy shows that"yoga can have a favorable effect" on hypertension.________(48)"But some large population studies have suggested that changesof

this magnitude couldhave very significant long-term benefits."___________(49)includingits relatively short length and the fact that most participants were young andhad milder forms of high blood pressure,Dr. Howard said.

__________(50)"Yoga,alongwith deep breathing exercises,meditation and inner reflection,is a goodadjunctive and integrative cardiovascular approach to better

health,includinglowering blood pressure,as this data suggests,"said Dr. David Friedman.__________(48)

A.The amount ofchange was small,he said.

B.Another expertagreed that the ancient Indian practice of yoga might ease hypertension.

C.In thestudy,researchers tracked 58 women and men,aged 38 to 62,for six months.

D.Yoga is proved tobe effective in lowering high blood pressure.

E.The study did havesome limitations.