T'ai Chi exercises could help diabetics control their blood sugar levels, researchers said yesterday.

A 12-week programme was shown to boost the body's immune system in people suffering Type 2, which is linked to obesity.

More than 2.3 million people in the UK have diabetes, while up to another 750,000 are sufferers, but don't know it. Scotland has more than 200,000 people with diabetes.

About 80% of diabetes sufferers die from a heart-related problem and are 15 times more likely to undergo leg amputation because arteries have become blocked.

Two studies to be published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, looked at the impact of T'ai Chi on diabetes and found it to be beneficial.

T'ai Chi involves moderate exercise using flowing movements and deep breathing using the diaphragm.

The first study, from researchers in Taiwan, compared 30 diabetics with 30 healthy people acting as controls.

Those in the T'ai Chi group learned 37 movements under the guidance of an expert, and took home a video to study the correct poses. Each session was 60 minutes including a 10-minute warm-up and a 10-minute cool down. Sessions were given three times a week.

The researchers examined the role of helper T cells - a type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system.

Studies have suggested that high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia) or metabolic syndrome in people with Type 2 could compromise the function of T cells, the authors said. They said: "Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic syndrome associated with chronic inflammation. Patients with Type 2 are more susceptible to infections.

"This suggests hyperglycaemia or metabolic syndrome in Type 2 could compromise T cell immunity."

The study revealed that, after 12 weeks, levels of interleukin-12, which boosts the immune response, doubled. T cell activity also increased significantly.

The study also revealed a significant drop in HbA1c levels, a measure of blood glucose, in patients after the exercise programme. The authors suggested that T'ai Chi may cause a fall in blood glucose levels or improve blood glucose metabolism which sparks a drop in the inflammatory response.

Or, exercise may boost fitness levels and the feeling of wellbeing, which may then boost the health of the immune system, they said.

In a second study, benefits were seen from T'ai Chi and another form of Chinese exercise, Qigong.

Three men and eight women aged between 42 and 65 with raised blood glucose levels took part in the study in Queensland, Australia.

Participants attended T'ai Chi and Qigong exercise training for one to one and a half hours, three times a week, for 12 weeks.

The study found "significant improvements" in four out of seven indicators of metabolic syndrome, including a 3kg drop in weight and a 3cm reduction in waist measurements. Blood pressure also fell.

There were also small improvements in HbA1c levels and insulin resistance.