Effect proven Yoga and Co reduce activity in inflammatory genes

Meditation and yoga also act on a genetic level against inflammation
In many cases, the positive effects of meditation, yoga, tai chi and similar methods on health and stress have already been reported. Now British scientists at Coventry University, together with colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium, have shown that yoga and co-drugs also reduce activity in certain genes that play a significant role in inflammation.

Meditation, yoga and tai chi not only seem to soothe the mind, but also seem to have an impact on the activity of the DNA. Overall, it has been shown that these practices were associated with a down-regulation of the so-called "kappa B path", which corresponds to the opposite effect of chronic stress on gene expression, the scientists report in the journal "frontiers in Immunology". The study results show that yoga, tai chi and co may lead to a reduced risk of inflammatory diseases, according to the research team led by Ivana Buric of Coventry University.

Yoga lowers activity in certain genes that have a significant impact on the inflammatory processes in the body. (Image: WavebreakMediaMicro / fotolia.com)

Effects on gene activity studied
For a long time, practices such as yoga or tai chi have been known as stress reduction methods. The scientists have now used an evaluation of previous studies to determine whether relaxation techniques also affect the activity of genes. A total of 18 studies with 846 participants were considered. The systematic review of the study data revealed that most studies (81%) had significantly reduced activity of inflammatory genes and / or the key transcription factor NF-κB, which controls the expression of genes relevant to inflammatory processes researcher.

Reversing the effects of chronic stress
The analysis of the 18 studies that used gene expression analysis showed an overall "reversal of the effects on the molecular signature triggered by chronic stress," the researchers explain. Although the quality of the studies evaluated was very different, the overall picture reveals that some of the psychological and physical benefits of yoga and CO are supported by the biological changes in the NF-κB genes.

According to the researchers, the current results must now be reviewed in larger samples and with better study designs. This also opens the door to the development and testing of a multi-level theory of the effect of special meditation and relaxation techniques that "integrate the biological, psychological and environmental levels," the researchers conclude. (Fp)