Ameliorative effect of hot spring bathing on the elevation of blood lipid in population

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of typical hot spring bathing of Guizhou Province on dyslipidemia, which could provide scientific basis for clarifying the physiotherapy effect of hot springs.

MethodsThe typical hot spring sites of three main types(hydrothermal hot spring, warm mineral hot spring and metasilicate hot spring)in Guizhou Province were selected as investigation sites. 189 residents with hyperlipidemia near the investigation sites were selected as subjects and were treated with hot spring baths for 4 weeks, once a day, 5 times a week and 40-50 minutes each time. The age and gender distribution of the subjects were obtained by a questionnaire. The levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C in serum were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer at baseline and at the end of hot spring baths. The differences of the three kinds of hot spring baths on improvement rate of dyslipidemia, the changes of abnormal blood lipid indexes and their improvement rates were compared.

ResultsAfter baths of hydrothermal hot springs, warm mineral hot springs and metasilicate hot springs, the improvement rates of abnormally elevated lipids were 15.6%, 40.4% and 47.9%, respectively. The improvement rates of abnormally elevated lipids after baths of warm mineral hot springs and metasilicate hot springs were significantly higher than that after hydrothermal spring baths(all P < 0.05). Compared with before hot spring bathing, the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and non-HDL-C in serum significantly decreased in all three kinds of hot springs. Moreover, the degree of decrease of TG in serum and the improvement rate of abnormal TG after baths of warm mineral spring and metasilicate hot spring were significantly higher than that after hydrothermal spring baths. The degree of decrease of LDL-C in serum and the improvement rate of abnormal LDL-C after baths of metasilicate hot spring were significantly higher than that after baths of hydrothermal spring and warm mineral spring(all P < 0.05).

ConclusionThe three types of typical hot spring baths in Guizhou Province can mitigate the elevation of blood lipid. Compared with hydrothermal spring, warm mineral spring and metasilicate hot spring may have better improvement effect on blood lipid elevation due to their more significant improvement effect on abnormal elevation of TG and LDL-C in serum.