title: Change in Oxidative Stress of Normotensive Elderly Subjects Following Lifestyle Modifications.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oxidative stress is associated with aging, which ultimately causes deterioration of muscles. Antioxidant defense system deteriorates while enhancing accumulations of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) due to lipid peroxidation and altered enzyme activities in old age. Regular practice of yoga can maintain the antioxidants level of the body, even in stressful conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to assess the effects of lifestyle technique on oxidative stress and lipid profile in normotensive elderly subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy four healthy elderly subjects (43 males and 31 females) 60 to 80 years of age were selected from the Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad Uttar Pradesh, India, for three months lifestyle modification program which included morning walk, Nadi shodan pranayama, dietary restrictions and increased intake of water. Blood pressure and oxidative stress markers Glutathione (GSH), Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were recorded twice, one at baseline and another after three months of lifestyle modifications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Post lifestyle modifications technique values revealed a significant increase in GSH (88.03±9.58 ng/ml vs 93.12±9.17 ng/ml, p < 0.0001) and SOD (78.22±11.97 ng/ml vs 85.22±11.08 ng/ml, p < 0.0001), and a decline in MDA (5.28±0.52 m mol/ml vs 4.48± 0.69 m mol/ml, p < 0.0001) levels. Further, there was significant reduction in the systolic blood pressure (p <0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.0002); besides all fasting lipids decreased significantly except High Density Lipids (HDL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of the present study show that lifestyle modification is helpful in reducing cardiovascular disease risk but also assuring for good health by decreasing oxidative stress level along with lipid profile. Further, all these modifications are easy to follow. However, more studies are required to make a generalized lifestyle modification program in normotensive elderly subjects.
authors: PhD Scholar, Department of Physiology, Santosh Medical College , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors: Anubhav
authors: A
authors: Bhatnagar
authors: Dean and Professor, Department of Physiology, Santosh Medical College , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors: Yogesh
authors: Y
authors: Tripathi
authors: PhD Scholar, Department of Biochemistry, Santosh Medical College , Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India .
authors: Anoop
authors: A
authors: Kumar
keywords: Aging; Antioxidants; Blood pressure; Yoga