DR PARTHA NANDI explores the relationship between a healthy lifestyle and how it affects the expression of our DNA and resulting health. He especially focuses on the benefits of Yoga and other traditions – both the meditative practices and the physical movement – in achieving a healthier life.
From a young age, I knew that I wanted to create a world full of Health Heroes. These are people who make their health a priority and commit to achieving greater health and happiness. Two of the best ways to achieve a healthier life are through movement and spirituality. Each is an important tool in our fight against disease and premature death.
Two of the most effective and fun ways to use these tools is through the practices of meditation and Yoga.
When you make them a part of your daily routine, you’re rewarded with improved physical and mental well-being. They not only transform and strengthen your body, but also sharpen and condition your mind.
This makes them powerful allies to any Health Hero committed to living a healthy and fulfilling life
And it gets better. In addition to the many health benefits that we already know about, new research is showing that these mind-body practices can actually change your genes.
MIND-BODY PRACTICES ARE CAUSING YOU TO CHANGE ON THE CELLULAR LEVEL
The way you live affects you right down to your genetic level. Your stress levels, social surroundings, nutritional habits, physical activity and overall lifestyle all contribute to how your genes express themselves, and how your cells respond to their changing environment.
How you cultivate your mind is no exception. New research findings show that the benefits of mind-body practices, including meditation and Yoga, actually begin on the cellular level. Through these practices, you have the ability and power to change your gene expression.
More specifically, meditation and Yoga can change how your DNA responds to stress. And considering that stress is a silent killer that creeps up on us and significantly elevates our risk of disease and premature death, this is especially exciting.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS?
When we’re exposed to a stressful situation, our ‘fight or flight’ response is triggered. This response increases the production of NF-kB, which regulates how our genes are expressed and causes dangerous inflammation on a cellular level. According to research published in Frontiers in Immunology, people who practice mind-body interventions like Yoga, meditation and Tai Chi have the opposite experience of the fight or flight response: there is a decrease in the production of NF-kB and a reversal of the inflammatory gene.
Basically, this means that meditation and Yoga don’t simply relax you, but also might actually have the ability to reverse molecular reactions to stress in your DNA that can lead to poor health, disease and depression.
YOU ARE NOT YOUR GENES
Let’s mention the obvious. You can’t control everything that happens to you. You’re going to deal with stress and health challenges. But when you take advantage of the power you do have, you give yourself every possible opportunity to live your best and healthiest life. And these new findings have created a shift, putting some newfound power into your hands.
USE YOUR POWER WISELY
Imagine how your life could change if you took advantage of every drop of power you have to transform your health – right down to the genetic level. How might committing to 10 to 20 minutes a day of meditation change your life? What would you do differently with improved health, less stress and anxiety, more focus and a greater sense of purpose? You’d probably be able to enjoy life in entirely new ways.
BE A HEALTH HERO
I encourage you to take advantage of the ability to alter your genes for improved wellness. The game is now changed, and you have more possibilities than ever to transform your biology and heal your body. Take time every day to practice meditation, breathe deeply and commit to greater health and longevity.
Make healthy living a part of every day.
The light in me honors the light in you. Namaste.
Dr Nandi
Book link: https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Dr-Nandi-HealthHero-Well- Being/dp/1501156810/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= 1504980266&sr=81&keywords=ask+dr+nandi
In the August issue of Health Hero Magazine, we share the raw and inspiring story of how the power of meditation and Yoga changed the life of Health Hero, Nikki Panfil in ‘Healing Invisible Wounds With Yoga’ : https://askdrnandi.com/health-hero-magazinehealing- invisible-wounds-with-yoga/.
Article by PARTHA NANDI
Dr Partha Nandi
