How therapeutic yoga supports your health from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, to healthy arteries, and diabetes.

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Written By Juliana at The Yoga Therapy Space

I’m by no means a scientist or doctor, but I do love an informed academic journal read to enquire into the role of mindful, therapeutic yoga applications in supporting your health - looking at both immediate and long term effects.

Why is ROS important?

In doing some research the other day I came across a 2014 study into the effects of yoga on ROS levels*. Why is this important? Well, because ROS - which stands for Reactive Oxygen Species - can damage cells, tissue and DNA and is implicated in various conditions such as:

  • diabetes

  • cancer

  • neurodegeneration - which effects cognitive functioning and dementia

  • atherosclerosis - the build up of plaque/fatty deposits in the arteries

  • general aging*

What is ROS?

Despite being essential for life, oxygen molecules can lead to the generation of hazardous by-products, known as ROS, during biological reactions*.

According to the National Cancer Institute, ROS is “a type of unstable molecule that contains oxygen and that easily reacts with other molecules in a cell’.

It seems that “a build up of ROS in cells may cause damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins” which stops them from functioning properly and “may cause cell death”*.

So what does this mean for your health?

ROS are naturally generated in the body in our daily functioning and in response to:

  • some diseases

  • substances that are foreign to us such as as drugs, pesticides, cosmetics, flavourings, fragrances, food additives, industrial chemicals, environmental and organic pollutants

  • pathogens such as bacteria and viruses

  • external stimulus such as electromagnetic fields (EMF) which are emitted by many natural and man-made sources that play important roles in daily life as such as mobiles

  • psychological stress and depression are known to raise cortisol levels and cause oxidative stress*

Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance due to excess ROS over a cell’s capacity to have an effective antioxidant response. So too many ROS can lead to oxidative stress. In other words, oxidative stress occurs if the antioxidant defence system is unable to prevent the harmful effects being exerted on it*.

Oxidative stress results in molecular damage and is implicated in various disease states such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging which I mentioned earlier. But can also contribute to behavioural, mental and emotional states such as anxiety and fatigue*.

Image showing ROS generated by the effects of exposure to EMF whcih can damage various cellular structures in neurons of the central nervous system.

Image showing ROS generated by the effects of exposure to EMF whcih can damage various cellular structures in neurons of the central nervous system.

ROS is also a mediator of inflammation which means ROS plays an important role in our inflammatory responses which can work to protect us but can also contribute to the progression of inflammatory disorders*.

What is paradoxically interesting is that there is accumulating evidence which suggests that ROS can act as critical signalling molecules in cell survival*.

So, in summary, ROS has a dual role in the body:

1) ROS can act as harmful factors causing damage

2) ROS can also act as signalling and protective factors

How ROS acts depends on the balance between ROS production and disposal at the right time and place*. But too much ROS can be damaging to our physical and mental health with serious implications.

How can therapeutic yoga help?

The 2014 study conducted at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences found that “the mean ROS levels post yoga (1020.81 ± 0.79 RLU/minute/104 neutrophil) was significantly lower (p = 0.024) as compared to pre yoga (1215.07 ± 0.88 RLU/minute/104 neutrophil)”.*

This suggests that yoga, when applied therapeutically, can support health where ROS has a role.

Whatever the cause, high ROS levels is an oxidative DNA damage marker*. Reducing ROS levels can help prevent and offer therapeutic solutions for really important health areas which are becoming increasingly concerning in 21 century living - here are a few relevant stats:

  • neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease being the most common neurodegenerative diseases* Research conducted shows that, in 2019, there were over 850,000 people with dementia in the UK. This represents 1 in every 14 of the population aged 65 years and over. In 2040, there will be over 1.5 million people with dementia in the UK, at the current rate of prevalence.*

  • atherosclerosis causes narrowing of the arteries due to plaque/fatty deposits and reduces blood flow to key organs, often as early as in our 40s or 50s. It often affects the arteries around the heart, leading to coronary heart disease and heart attacks. If it affects the arteries delivering blood to the brain, it may cause a stroke, and if it affects those supplying the legs, it could lead to peripheral arterial disease. And while there is no cure for atherosclerosis, you can slow down its progress with medication and a healthy lifestyle.*

It is really important to flag that this does not mean that therapeutic yoga is a replacement for modern medicine in these areas! But increasing evidence, such as the 2014 Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences study, supports that therapeutic applications of yoga can be used as a tool to help prevent and maintain conditions caused by modern lifestyles.

For more information

I hope you’ve found this post informative and supportive. Please share with someone you think could also benefit from this.

Informed applications of yoga can offer you support whether you’re living with or recovering from a health condition, injury or wishing to support your general state of health now and in the long-term.

If you want to know more about how therapeutic applications of yoga can help you or someone you know then please see more on the therapeutic approach here >

Your comments and questions are always welcome. As I’m not a medic, I am always happy to refer any technical questions outside of my scope of practice to a qualified professional. You can get in touch with me here >

Warmest wishes, Juliana x

Juliana at The Yoga Therapy Space

Yoga teacher specialising in therapeutic and mindful applications of yoga offering tools from yoga and science for sustainable, resilient everyday living.

https://theyogatherapyspace.com/
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