Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice

doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181cb9377

Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice

Published Jan 11, 2010 · J. Kiecolt-Glaser, L. Christian, H. Preston

Psychosomatic Medicine

Q1 SJR score

280

Citations

17

Influential Citations

Full text

Semantic Scholar

Abstract

Objective: To address the mechanisms underlying hatha yoga’s potential stress-reduction benefits, we compared inflammatory and endocrine responses of novice and expert yoga practitioners before, during, and after a restorative hatha yoga session, as well as in two control conditions. Stressors before each of the three conditions provided data on the extent to which yoga speeded an individual’s physiological recovery. Methods: A total of 50 healthy women (mean age, 41.32 years; range, 30–65 years), 25 novices and 25 experts, were exposed to each of the conditions (yoga, movement control, and passive-video control) during three separate visits. Results: The yoga session boosted participants’ positive affect compared with the control conditions, but no overall differences in inflammatory or endocrine responses were unique to the yoga session. Importantly, even though novices and experts did not differ on key dimensions, including age, abdominal adiposity, and cardiorespiratory fitness, novices’ serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels were 41% higher than those of experts across sessions, and the odds of a novice having detectable C-reactive protein (CRP) were 4.75 times as high as that of an expert. Differences in stress responses between experts and novices provided one plausible mechanism for their divergent serum IL-6 data; experts produced less lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IL-6 in response to the stressor than novices, and IL-6 promotes CRP production. Conclusion: The ability to minimize inflammatory responses to stressful encounters influences the burden that stressors place on an individual. If yoga dampens or limits stress-related changes, then regular practice could have substantial health benefits. CRC = Clinical Research Center; CRP = C-reactive protein; HR = heart rate; hsCRP = high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; IL = interleukin; LPS = lipopolysaccharide; MASQ = Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire; PANAS = Positive and Negative Affect Scale; PBLs = peripheral blood leukocytes; sIL-6r = soluble IL-6 receptor; TEWL = transepidermal water loss; TNF = tumor necrosis factor; &OV0312;o2 max = maximum oxygen consumption.

Non-RCT

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

Key takeawayYoga practice may reduce stress-related inflammation, potentially offering substantial health benefits.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice

References

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The relaxation response elicits specific gene expression changes in both long-term and short-term practitioners, potentially counteracting cellular damage related to chronic psychological stress.

Citations

Yoga may attenuates hallmarks of skin aging

Yoga may reduce the nine hallmarks of skin aging, potentially increasing both health span and lifespan.

Yoga and Cardiovascular Diseases – A Mechanistic Review

Yoga may help prevent cardiovascular diseases by promoting a healthy lifestyle, reducing oxidative stress, decreasing inflammation, improving endothelial function, and promoting epigenetic changes.

A Narrative Review of Telomere Length Modulation Through Diverse Yoga and Meditation Styles: Current Insights and Prospective Avenues

Yoga and meditation practices show potential in positively influencing telomere length, but more research is needed to establish optimal dosages and optimal therapeutic regimens for optimal health benefits.

Effectiveness of Yoga in reducing IL-6 serum level in elderly with knee osteoarthritis

Yoga effectively improves knee osteoarthritis clinical condition by reducing interleukin-6 levels in elderly individuals.

Nisshash: Design of An IoT-based Smart T-Shirt for Guided Breathing Exercises

Nisshash is an IoT-based smart T-shirt that accurately monitors respiration rate and heart rate, providing personalized guided breathing exercises for managing anxiety and stress.

The Effects of Yoga Practice on Lung Function and sIL-2R Biomarkers in Individuals Working and Living in the Lonavala Industrial Area: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yoga practice improves lung function and reduces inflammation in individuals living and working in polluted environments.