title: Telomerase activity and cellular aging might be positively modified by a yoga-based lifestyle intervention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent studies showed that a brief yoga-based lifestyle intervention was efficacious in reducing levels of oxidative stress and cellular aging in obese men. The objective of this case report was to assess the efficacy of this intervention in reducing the levels of biochemical markers of cellular ageing, oxidative stress, and inflammation at baseline (day 0), at the end of active intervention (day 10), and follow-up at day 90.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single case report from a prospective ongoing study with pre-post design assessing the level of various markers of cellular aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  Integral Health Clinic, an outpatient facility conducting meditation and yoga-based lifestyle intervention programs for management of chronic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 31-year-old man with class I obesity (body-mass index, 29.5 kg/m(2)) who presented to the medicine outpatient department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, with a history of fatigue, difficulty losing weight, and lack of motivation. He noted a marked decrease in his energy level, particularly in the afternoon.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pretested intervention program included asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), stress management, group discussions, lectures, and individualized advice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From baseline (day 0) to day 90, the activity of telomerase and levels of β-endorphins, plasma cortisol, and interleukin-6 increased, and a sustained reduction in oxidative stress markers, such as reactive oxygen species and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adopting yoga/meditation-based lifestyle modification causes reversal of markers of aging, mainly oxidative stress, telomerase activity, and oxidative DNA damage. This may not only delay aging and prolong a youthful healthy life but also delay or prevent onset of several lifestyle-related diseases, of which oxidative stress and inflammation are the chief cause. This report suggests this simple lifestyle intervention may be therapeutic for oxidative DNA damage and oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: 1Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shiv Basant
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: 2Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: 2Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Raj Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: 1Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Madhuri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tolahunase
authors.affiliation: 1Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dada
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000097:blood*; D015013:Yoga
chemical_list: D019098:Telomerase