Synergistic Approach Of Applied Physiology & Yoga To Combat Lifestyle Diseases

The modern age is ‘the age of stress’ and stress related diseases, which pose a serious challenge to not only medical professionals but to the whole concerned diasporas. In spite of the leaps and bounds in medical sciences, we are surrounded by a very silent but dangerous foe, lifestyle diseases. In our own nation, the sad truth is now out India is headed to become the Diabetic capital of the world. The younger generation i.e. the under 40 age group are up to 10 times more prone to cardiovascular diseases as compared to the corresponding age group in the west. According to an alarming estimate, around the year 2025 A.D., about 91 young people would die per hour from heart related diseases! Diseases directly linked to modern lifestyle like Diabetes, coronary artery diseases, hypertension, obesity, eating disorders, mood disorders, mental illness, psychosomatic disorders, etc are a great threat to human life and constitute the major bulk of morbidity and mortality of the 21st century. Our diet has changed from high fiber, low fat to high fat, low fiber type processed food. Other potent negative factors are decreased physical activity, addiction to smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc. which further lead to obesity, insulin resistance and atherogenic dyslipidemia. This vicious cycle is further compounded by stress and consequent stress related diseases. Stress affects the body through Psycho-neuro-endo-immuno-cyto-axis. Initially during stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and via nervous and hormonal responses, the same copes with emergency. However, chronic stress has a very deleterious effect on the body and may enhance development of the lifestyle related diseases named above. Stress and its devastating sequel can be dealt with by reducing and later curing the lifestyle disorders by drastic dietary changes, mind-body therapies including meditation, stress relaxation techniques and yoga. The need of the moment is that Physiologists take a step forward and apply their knowledge of physiology of stress to show stressed masses the path to mental and physical salvation. Applied Physiology has already blended the ancient traditional Indian medicine modalities with modern medical science integrating Body, Breath and Mind well with natural herbs and the science of Ayurveda. The present study was conducted on 60 young and asymptomatic M.B.B.S. students to assess the effect of Shavasana on the recovery process from Cold Pressor Test (CPT) induced stress by recording blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and rate pressure product i.e. all important cardiorespiratory parameters. All these parameters were recorded in three settings both before and after CPT. Ten minutes of Shavasana showed lowering of all basal parameters in comparison to supine posture which further lowered (p<.05) after long term (4 weeks) Shavasana training. Stress induced by CPT caused rise in all parameters in all three settings; this rise, however, was blunted after 10 minutes of Shavasana and even more after Shavasana training for 4 weeks (p<.05). Shavasana increases parasympathetic tone, gradually reducing the sympathetic drive as training is carried on. Thus continued Shavasana training induces modulation in sympathetic responses to stress enabling the individual to face stress more effectively. Thus, the need of the hour is a daily dose of a Holistic health capsule, ingredients of which are traditional lifestyle, Holistic diet & Yoga harmonizing our Pranic ability and mental energy flow by clearing any blockages in the subtle body leading to mental equilibrium and calmness.