Abstract
BACKGROUND: Body immersion in plain water or mineral water induces significant and unique physiological changes in most body systems. In a previous pilot study, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients was found following a single immersion in Dead Sea water but not after immersion in plain water.
OBJECTIVE: To study the immediate and long term effects of immersion in mineral water for five consecutive days on blood glucose in patients with type 2 DM.
METHODS: A total of 34 patients with type 2 DM were divided into 2 groups: The first immersed in a plain water pool and the second immersed in a Dead Sea water pool; both pools were warmed to a temperature of 35°C. Immersions for 20 minutes occurred twice daily: two hours after breakfast and before dinner. Seven samples of capillary blood glucose levels were taken: fasting, before and after every immersion, prior to lunch and before bedtime. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) was taken prior to the study and a re-check was conducted during the 12 weeks following the study.
RESULTS: Blood glucose levels significantly decreased immediately after immersion both in Dead Sea water and plain water compared to their values prior to immersion (p<0.001). No significant difference was noted between both types of water. A decrease in fasting glucose levels was observed only in the group immersed in Dead Sea water when compared to plain water (6.83±5.68 mg/dl versus 4.37±1.79 respectively and the difference was close to statistical significance (p=0.071. There were no changes in HbA1c levels.
CONCLUSION: Immersion for 20 minutes in water (Dead Sea or plain water) at a temperature of 35°C induced an immediate reduction in glucose levels in patients with type 2 DM.
Translated title of the contribution | THE EFFECT OF 5 DAYS IMMERSION IN DEAD SEA WATER ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS |
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Original language | Hebrew |
Pages (from-to) | 98-101 |
Journal | הרפואה |
Volume | 155 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - 1 Feb 2016 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine