Implication of asana, pranayama and meditation on telomere stability
International Journal of Yoga January 1, 2018 Jessy Abraham, Mrithunjay Rathore 22 citations
Telomeres protect chromosome ends and shorten with age; shorter telomeres are linked to lifestyle disorders. A systematic review examined whether asana, pranayama, and meditation help maintain telomere length and telomerase activity. Literature was searched in six databases. The review suggests these practices may increase oxygen flow to cells and reduce stress via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, potentially preserving genomic integrity and aiding health. The evidence is limited, and the conclusion is that such practices can help maintain telomere stability and are important for human health.