The meta-analysis, published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, looks back over a number of previous studies on the effects of the different practices on gene expression. It turns out that the practices all seem to have a beneficial effect on the expression of a slew of different genes. The team searched for studies that measured the effects of mind-body interventions including mindfulness, meditation, yoga, the relaxation response, Tai Chi and Qigong on gene expression. It turned out that all of the practices had some sort of effect on gene expression, either increasing or decreasing the expression of individual genes that were most often related to stress and inflammation. And, though it’s interesting that mind-body methods alter gene expression, it’s not clear how this translates into health in general.

Source: Forbes June 19, 2017 16:07 UTC