Mirthful laughter, as adjunct therapy in diabetic care, increases HDL cholesterol and attenuates inflammatory cytokines and C-RP and possible CVD risk

Purpose: Catecholamines are implicated in causing arrhythmias, hypertension, and MI reoccurrence. Mirthful laughter attenuates catecholamines. Inflammatory cytokines, TNF-[alpha], IFN-[gamma], and IL-6 can accelerate atherosclerotic disease. Hs-CRP is a risk marker for the inflammatory process and CVD. Mirthful laughter, by diminishing catecholamine production, can attenuate inflammatory cytokines and provide CVD protection. Methods: Twenty high risk diabetic patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia were age and sex matched and divided into Group C (control) and Group L (laughter). Group C received standard medication therapies for diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Group L, additionally, viewed self-selected humor 30 minutes daily. Blood was assessed at baseline and every 2 months, for 12 months, for plasma HDL-cholesterol and inflammatory cytokines TNF-[alpha], IFN-[gamma], IL-6, and hs-CRP. Results: Compared to Group C, the patients in Group L had by the 2nd month increased HDL cholestero...