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Rachel V Thomas

International Yoga Day 2026: Yoga Is A 'Polypill' That Targets Root Causes of Lifestyle Diseases, Says AIIMS Doctor

<span>Yoga</span> can act as a "polypill" by addressing multiple underlying factors that contribute to lifestyle diseases, according to Dr. Rima Dada, Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who has been studying yoga and its impact on lifestyle disorders for the past 20 years.

Speaking about her research, Dr. Rima said yoga is a profound science, technology, and art of living that can tackle factors that set the stage for a wide range of diseases.

<h2>Yoga May Benefit Multiple Health Conditions</h2>

According to Dr. Rima, yoga can help address conditions including hypertension, 

<ul><li>coronary artery disease, </li><li>polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), </li><li>unexplained male factor infertility, </li><li>primary open-angle glaucoma, </li><li>autoimmune diseases, </li><li>rheumatoid arthritis, </li><li>Alzheimer's disease.</li></ul>She noted that these conditions share several common underlying factors, including 

<ul><li>accelerated ageing,</li><li>shorter telomeres, </li><li>persistent activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, </li><li>a dysregulated immune system, </li><li>high levels of stress and anxiety, </li><li>inflammation, </li><li>oxidative stress.</li></ul>

<h2>Yoga's For Oxidative Stress And Inflammation</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/international-yoga-day-2026-yoga-enriches-every-aspect-of-life-from-fitness-to-inner-peace-says-pm-modi-article-154706878" data-type="tilCustomLink">Yoga Enriches Every Aspect of Life, From Fitness to Inner Peace, Says PM Modi</a>

Dr. Rima said evidence-based studies conducted by her team have shown that yoga addresses these underlying factors.

According to the findings, yoga reduces oxidative stress by increasing the expression of various antioxidants. It also improves mitochondrial health and reduces free radicals produced as by-products of ATP production.

The studies further showed that inflammation decreases because the expression of genes coding for anti-inflammatory factors increases, while the expression of genes that promote inflammation declines.

Yoga is a polypill and is the need of the day, says Dr Rima Dada #shorts #shortsfeeds

The research also found that yoga increases the expression of genes involved in DNA repair. In addition, yoga promotes parasympathetic dominance, resulting in increased rest, repair, and digestion. 

Dr. Rima said yoga also positively modulates the epigenome and increases the expression of factors beneficial for overall health. She noted that yoga promotes brain health, improves mental well-being, and enhances the production of factors associated with neurogenesis in key areas of the brain. These changes may help improve memory and build emotional resilience.

<h2>Gut-Brain Axis and Immune Health</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/ayurveda/trying-to-quit-tobacco-yoga-could-improve-your-chances-suggests-study-article-154657175" data-type="tilCustomLink">Trying to Quit Tobacco? Yoga Could Improve Your Chances, Suggests Study</a>

Dr. Rima said yoga has also been shown to improve gut microbial flora, helping maintain the integrity of the gut-brain axis.

According to her, this supports the secretion of factors that help maintain immune, endocrine, and mental health.

India Gave Yoga to the World… What's the Next Global Yoga Movement? #shorts  #shortsfeeds

Emphasizing that yoga extends beyond physical postures, Dr. Rima said it is an entire lifestyle that includes diet, asanas, pranayama and dhyana.

She said yoga and asanas help bring the body into proper geometry and alignment, while also improving flexibility, range of motion and neuromuscular coordination.

This alignment, she explained, enables more effective breathing. Nasal inhalation and exhalation activate certain areas of the brain that promote a state of relaxed wakefulness.

Dr. Rima said effective breathing increases blood flow to the brain and raises nitric oxide levels, which help improve circulation while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. 

"Thus, <span>yoga is a polypill</span> and is the need of the day," she said.

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Yoga can act as a "polypill" by addressing multiple underlying factors that contribute to lifestyle diseases, according to Dr. Rima Dada, Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who has been studying yoga and its impact on lifestyle disorders for the past 20 years.Speaking about her research, Dr. Rima said yoga is a profound science, technology, and art of living that can tackle factors that set the stage for a wide range of diseases.Yoga May Benefit Multiple Health ConditionsAccording to Dr. Rima, yoga can help address conditions including hypertension, coronary artery disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), unexplained male factor infertility, primary open-angle glaucoma, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease.She noted that these conditions share several common underlying factors, including accelerated ageing,shorter telomeres, persistent activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a dysregulated immune system, high levels of stress and anxiety, inflammation, oxidative stress.Yoga's For Oxidative Stress And InflammationAlso read: Yoga Enriches Every Aspect of Life, From Fitness to Inner Peace, Says PM ModiDr. Rima said evidence-based studies conducted by her team have shown that yoga addresses these underlying factors.According to the findings, yoga reduces oxidative stress by increasing the expression of various antioxidants. It also improves mitochondrial health and reduces free radicals produced as by-products of ATP production.The studies further showed that inflammation decreases because the expression of genes coding for anti-inflammatory factors increases, while the expression of genes that promote inflammation declines.Yoga May Support Brain Health   The research also found that yoga increases the expression of genes involved in DNA repair. In addition, yoga promotes parasympathetic dominance, resulting in increased rest, repair, and digestion. Dr. Rima said yoga also positively modulates the epigenome and increases the expression of factors beneficial for overall health. She noted that yoga promotes brain health, improves mental well-being, and enhances the production of factors associated with neurogenesis in key areas of the brain. These changes may help improve memory and build emotional resilience.Gut-Brain Axis and Immune HealthRead More: Trying to Quit Tobacco? Yoga Could Improve Your Chances, Suggests StudyDr. Rima said yoga has also been shown to improve gut microbial flora, helping maintain the integrity of the gut-brain axis.According to her, this supports the secretion of factors that help maintain immune, endocrine, and mental health.Yoga Is An Entire Lifestyle       Emphasizing that yoga extends beyond physical postures, Dr. Rima said it is an entire lifestyle that includes diet, asanas, pranayama and dhyana.She said yoga and asanas help bring the body into proper geometry and alignment, while also improving flexibility, range of motion and neuromuscular coordination.This alignment, she explained, enables more effective breathing. Nasal inhalation and exhalation activate certain areas of the brain that promote a state of relaxed wakefulness.Yoga Is The Need of The DayDr. Rima said effective breathing increases blood flow to the brain and raises nitric oxide levels, which help improve circulation while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. "Thus, yoga is a polypill and is the need of the day," she said.

international yoga day 2026: yoga is a 'polypill' that targets root causes of lifestyle diseases, says aiims doctor

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