Yoga helps reduce severity of depression: AIIMS study
What's the story
Yoga helps reduce the severity of depression by increasing levels of certain chemicals in the brain according to a recent study by AIIMS Delhi. The study was conducted by the Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics in collaboration with Department of Psychiatry. It studied the impact of yoga on depression after a 12-week yoga intervention on around 236 subjects. Here's more on it.
The Study
You can reduce main stress hormone by doing yoga
The study found that introducing yoga into lifestyle results in a decrease in cortisol, the main stress hormone, and reduces levels of certain inflammatory molecules in the body and brain, thereby reducing oxidative stress. It also slows the pace of aging by reducing levels of oxidative and psychological stress and aids in maintaining the length of the telomere, Rima Dada, Professor-in-charge of Laboratory said.
Depression
Depression, the cause and consequence of several non-communicable diseases
Depression is a major health problem contributing to significant morbidity, disability and early onset of aging and aging-associated diseases. It affects all age groups and is the leading contributor to global burden of disease. Though about 35% of cases are heritable, depression is the cause and consequence of diseases like cancer and diabetes. Adverse childhood events also play a major role in its causation.