by Suman Gupta
A recent study conducted at AIIMS, New Delhi, has demonstrated that yoga has the potential to substantially enhance the well-being of individuals suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This chronic autoimmune condition induces joint inflammation and can lead to joint damage and pain, as well as impact other organ systems like the lungs, heart, and brain.
Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India has also reaffirmed that Yoga has the potential to provide relief for individuals suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis through a collaborative study, carried out by the Lab for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Anatomy Dept, and Dept of Rheumatology AIIMS, ND that delved into the cellular and molecular effects of yoga on RA patients, highlighting its potential benefits beyond pain management.
In this study Yoga has been found to reduce inflammation by controlling cellular damage and oxidative stress (OS), maintaining a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, elevating endorphin levels, decreasing cortisol and CRP levels, and regulating melatonin rhythms, ultimately disrupting the inflammatory and hyperactive immune system cycle. Moreover, at a molecular level, yoga slows down the aging process of cells by enhancing the activity of the telomerase enzyme and genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation, while also improving mitochondrial function, thus protecting against telomere attrition and DNA damage by enhancing energy metabolism and reducing oxidative stress.
Dr. Rima Dada and her team at the Lab for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Anatomy Dept, AIIMS, supported by DST, found that patients who practiced yoga experienced reduced pain perception, improved joint mobility, decreased disability, and enhanced overall quality of life. These benefits were attributed to yoga’s ability to establish immunological tolerance and molecular remission.
The 2023 study published in Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-42231-wsuggests that practicing yoga may help in managing stress, which is a known trigger for RA symptoms. Through the reduction of stress hormones like cortisol, yoga may indirectly lower inflammation, improve mitochondrial function, and decrease the severity of comorbid depression by increasing levels of 𝛽-endorphin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), melatonin, and sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1).
Yoga supports brain flexibility, helping to improve coping skills and lessen the impact of coexisting depression.
This research presents evidence supporting yoga’s potential as a complementary treatment for RA patients. In addition to alleviating symptoms such as pain and stiffness, yoga may also help with disease management and enhance overall quality of life. Unlike medications, yoga comes with no adverse effects and provides a cost-effective, natural option for managing severe autoimmune conditions.
