- Yoga reduces our production of the molecules that activate inflammation genes
- Genes are activated during the ‘fight or flight response’ in stressful situations
- Inflammation is linked to cancer, accelerated ageing and poor mental health
- Stress is often long term and has been linked to substantial medical problems
Alexandra Thompson Health Reporter For Mailonline
4
View
comments
Yoga and meditation reduce our risk of cancer by changing our DNA, new research reveals.
People who practice so-called mind-body interventions (MBI), such as yoga, meditation and Tai Chi, produce significantly lower amounts of molecules that activate inflammation-causing genes, a study review found.
Inflammation has been linked to cancer, accelerated ageing and poor mental health.
Lead investigator Ivana Buric from the University of Coventry, said: ‘Millions of people around the world already enjoy the health benefits of MBIs like yoga or meditation, but what they perhaps don’t realise is that these benefits begin at a molecular level and can change the way our genetic code goes about its business.
‘Put simply, MBIs cause the brain to steer our DNA processes along a path which improves our wellbeing.’
Yoga and meditation reduce our risk of cancer by altering how our genes are expressed
-
The one drop flu blood test that could save your life: Test…
Today’s teens have the same activity levels as someone who…
The ‘fountain of youth’ could already be in your GUT:…
Injecting pond scum into the heart could be a ‘game…
ARE YOU DEPRESSED? TAKE UP TAI CHI
Taking part in Tai Chi could help to combat depression, research revealed last month.
Going to classes in the ancient Chinese martial art for 12 weeks significantly reduces symptoms of the mental health disorder, a study found.
It can work independently of treatment, suggesting it may scupper the need for antidepressants, the research adds.
The findings hold promise amid soaring rates of depression worldwide, with drugs and therapy often proving ineffective, according to researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital.
The meditative practice, which has been used for more than 1,000 years, combines deep breathing and slow and gentle movements.
Study author Professor Albert Yeung said: ‘Finding Tai Chi can be effective is particularly significant because it is culturally accepted by this group of patients who tend to avoid conventional psychiatric treatment.’
How the study was carried out
Researchers from the universities of Coventry and Radboud analysed 18 studies with 846 participants conducted over 11 years.
Studies were included in the analysis if they measured gene expression after a MBI.
Key findings
Results revealed people who practice MBIs produce significantly lower amounts of molecules that activate inflammation-causing genes.
These molecules are released after a stressful event due to the ‘fight or flight’ response.
Inflammation has been linked to cancer, accelerated ageing and poor mental health.
Ms Buric said: ‘Millions of people around the world already enjoy the health benefits of mind-body interventions like yoga or meditation, but what they perhaps don’t realise is that these benefits begin at a molecular level and can change the way our genetic code goes about its business.
‘These activities are leaving what we call a molecular signature in our cells, which reverses the effect that stress or anxiety would have on the body by changing how our genes are expressed.
‘Put simply, MBIs cause the brain to steer our DNA processes along a path which improves our wellbeing.’
The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.
Yoga causes less molecules to be released that activate inflammation-causing genes
Why the research is important
The researchers believe the inflammation-causing fight-or-flight response, which is involved in wound healing, would have played an important role when we were hunter-gatherers due to there being a higher risk of infection from wounds.
Today, however, when stress is often long term and more internal than injury-related, inflammation-causing gene expression can be persistent and cause medical problems.
Ms Buric said: ‘More needs to be done to understand these effects in greater depth, for example how they compare with other healthy interventions like exercise or nutrition.
‘But this is an important foundation to build on to help future researchers explore the benefits of increasingly popular mind-body activities.’
Share or comment on this article
- Thank you, mum: Trapped couple’s heart-rending final…
- ‘I think it saved our lives’: Quick-thinking mother…
- Teenager escaped from 13th floor of blazing tower with…
- The homes of rich people in Kensington should be SEIZED…
- INSIDE the towering inferno: First video reveals horror…
- ‘How many children died, Mr Khan, and what are you going…
- ‘First one’s RIP’: Westminster terrorist Khalid Masood…
- Before these Eton old boys were famous: These stars were…
- Freed N. Korean captive Otto Warmbier is in a vegetative…
- French conservative candidate is pictured KNOCKED OUT on…
- Lily Allen accuses the media of ‘downplaying’ the…
- At least seven people dead and 66 injured after explosion…
- ‘People have lost their lives. I can’t bear it’:…
- Mother who romped with stag do reveller on Ryanair flight…
- Boy, five, ‘was lost in the thick black smoke’ as he…
- Fireproof cladding that would have prevented Grenfell…
- Curvy woman DUMPS her boyfriend after catching him openly…
- Suspect sobs as his bond is set at $75 MILLION for…
Comments 4
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual.
Close
Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual
We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook.
You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.