Wellness-focused mind-body interventions – such as meditation, yoga and tai chi – appear to be able to 'reverse' harmful molecular reactions in DNA.

The claim is made in a study published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, which reviewed more than a decade of studies analysing how the behaviour of genes is affected by wellness intervention – such as mindfulness and yoga.

In total, the survey – conducted by a team of researchers led by Ivana Buric from the Brain, Belief and Behaviour Lab in Coventry University – looked at 18 studies featuring 846 participants.

The study – A Systematic Review of Gene Expression Changes Induced by Meditation and Related Practices – discovered a pattern in the molecular changes which happen to the body as a result of wellness intervention, and how those changes benefit our mental and physical health.

At the heart of the study was an examination of the effects of a molecule called nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). When exposed to a stressful event, a human’s sympathetic nervous system (SNS) – the system responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response – kicks into action and increases production of NF-kB.

NF-kB is able to activate genes to produce cytokines – a protein which can cause inflammation at cellular level.

The release of cytokines is useful for producing a fight-or-flight reaction, but can lead to a higher risk of cancer, depression or even an accelerated process of aging if persistent.

The study found that those who practise mind body activities – such as yoga – exhibit the opposite effect, a decrease in production of NF-kB and cytokines, leading to a reversal of the pro-inflammatory gene expression pattern.

In its conclusion, the report states: “The results of 18 studies that used gene expression analysis in research on meditation and related mind-body interventions have overall found down-regulation of NF-?B-targeted genes, which can be understood as the reversal of the molecular signature of the effects of chronic stress.

“This research opens the doors to the development and testing of a multi-level theory of mind-body interventions, which integrates the biological, psychological, and environmental levels.”

To read the full research report, click here for the Frontiers in Immunology journal.