Biological markers for the effects of yoga as a complementary and alternative medicine

Abstract

From the last few decades, there are increasing incidences of disorders like premature aging, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and Alzheimer’s disease In addition to medication, researchers have found that yoga, a mind-body therapy, can be used as an alternative medicine. Yoga combines specific physical postures, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation that improve mental and physical health of the body. The purpose of this review is to collate the research evidences claiming health benefits of performing traditional yogic practices. What are the biological and other reliable indicators to suggest that doing asanas, pranayama, and meditation could reduce or treat wide range of life style disorders are discussed. Importantly, these indicators are otherwise used to assess the severity of disorders. In many of the study it has been shown that yoga improves the redox health of body whose imbalance has been well proven to cause many health complications. The impact of yoga on neurodegenerative diseases have revealed that it reverses memory loss, reduce anxiety, depression and stress, the biological indicators of disease. However, most studies have several limitations and therefore further research into yoga is needed to validate these findings.

Molecules of Silence: Effects of Meditation on Gene Expression and Epigenetics

“…Yoga was shown to improve the redox state of the body by reducing ROS levels, known to cause inflammation and accelerated aging (Dada et al, 2015;Mohammad et al, 2019). Moreover, Yoga can help cope with stress conditions as shown by reduction of serum cortisol via the HPA axis (Tolahunase et al, 2017).…”

“…This latter is an 8-week integrated approach, an amalgam of mindfulness meditation, concentrative meditation, breathing exercises, Yoga, autogenic training, and Buddhist philosophy. Harkess et al, 2016Ren et al, 2012Chaix et al, 2017, 2020García-Campayo et al, 2018Kaliman et al, 2014Bishop et al, 2018 Differential gene expression (Pathways affected) Qu et al, 2013;Bower et al, 2014Irwin et al, 2014Kinney et al, 2019Li et al, 2005Sharma et al, 2008Kumar and Balkrishna, 2009;Black et al, 2013Creswell et al, 2012Ho et al, 2016 Biomolecules Dada et al, 2015;Mohammad et al, 2019Campo et al, 2015Ryu et al, 1996Lee et al, 2004 Reviewed in: Daube and Jakobsche, 2015 Kasala et al, 2014 Reviewed in Black and Slavich, 2016 Reviewed in Black and Slavich, 2016 Neurotrophins Naveen et al, 2013Naveen et al, , 2016Cahn et al, 2017;Tolahunase et al, 2017L Saliva Ben-Soussan et al, 2015bVenditti et al, 2015;Caserta et al, 2019CS, L Saliva, Serum Pan et al, 2006 (SK/KK) Balasubramanian et al, 2015 (Pranayama) CS Serum Dada et al, 2018;Gagrani et al, 2018 MBSR Interventions (MBI;…”

Yoga for Substance Use: A Systematic Review

“…7 Yoga originated in India over 2 centuries ago and has since become increasingly incorporated into medical practice. 8 Today, these practices are known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), defined by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health as a nonmainstream practice that is used together with conventional medicine or as a substitute for conventional medicine. 9 In substance use disorder, CAM modalities studied include acupuncture, hypnotherapy, herbal medicine, mindfulness, music therapy, and yoga.…”

“…12 The overall structure of yoga includes specific breathing patterns (pranayamas), physical postures (asanas), relaxation, and meditation (focused thoughts and breathing) that act together to improve the mind and body. 8 While the exact mechanisms of action are unclear, the use of yoga as a treatment for substance use disorder has been found to decrease addictive behaviors, enhance well-being, and improve cognitive flexibility. 8,10,13 Assessing studies on yoga as an effective alternative therapy can provide information to clinicians seeking additional methods to reduce substance use and improve the quality of life in patients with substance use disorder.…”

Inner Engineering Practices and Advanced 4‐day Isha Yoga Retreat Are Associated with Cannabimimetic Effects with Increased Endocannabinoids and Short‐Term and Sustained Improvement in Mental Health: A Prospective Observational Study of Meditators

“…Increased BDNF signaling, and thus enhanced neurogenesis and/or neuroplasticity, was associated with improved resilience and wellbeing. Decreases in inflammatory biomarkers, including interleukin-(IL-) 6, C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-) α, and increases in β-endorphins have also been shown with various meditation/yoga practices [11].…”