Ever wonder what causes us to age resulting in death of our body cells over the years, develop heart disease leading to plaque in the artery, or suffer from cancer causing cells to mutate and grow erratically? The answer may be simpler than we think.

Some researchers say the common denominator in all these conditions is the antioxidant status - the level of chemical process that takes place in our cells and genes Like we measure our cholesterol level, researchers argue we can measure our antioxidant status and determine how vulnerable we are to diseases

In a pilot study, biochemists at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) studied the effect of Sudarshan Kriya on the antioxidant status of individuals. Sudarshan Kriya is a well known rhythmic breathing technique promoted by the Art of Living workshops. It is preceded by Ujjayi Pranayam or long and deep breaths with constriction at the base of throat and Bhastrika or fast and forceful breaths through the nose along with arm movements.

Before we talk about their findings, let’s step back into our biochemistry class and understand what antioxidant status means. According to the free-radical theory, the cells in our body are being constantly damaged and destroyed by oxygen radicals, similar to what dirt and rust do to our cars. Oxygen radicals are different from oxygen gas in that they are molecules that are highly charged and detrimental by products of cell reactions.

Our body has an antioxidant defence system that constantly searches and destroys these oxygen radicals, much like our immune system which polices our body for foreign agents such as bacteria and viruses and eliminates them. If the antioxidant defence system of our body is weak, then the number of oxygen radicals increases, causing our cells to die quickly This results in inflammation and plaque within our heart vessels or prompts the cells to mutate into cancer cells. On the other hand, if we reduce the number of oxygen radicals, we improve the antioxidant status in our body, and we live longer and lead a disease free life.

It is important that we try to reduce the level of oxygen radicals and strengthen our defence system. We can increase our antioxidant levels through our diet. A healthy diet of vegetable and fruit in creases our intake of important antioxidants such as Vitamins A, C, E, and beta carotene. Some initial studies have shown the benefit of higher antioxidants in our diet, but larger studies have not detected the benefit — so the jury is still out. Smoking alcohol and chronic psycho-social problems, such as every day work and family pressures can increase oxidative stress
This stress affects our complex molecules and genes. Yoga and meditation can relieve this cellular oxidative stress. The question is whether Sudarshan Kriya would have a similar effect.

A team lead by Dr Neeta Singh and Dr Vinod Kochupillai, former chief of IRCH (Institute rotary cancer hospital) and Head of Medical Oncology at IRCH at AIIMS, tested the blood of 42 persons who were practicing Sudarshan Kriya for over 1 year and compared it with the blood of 42 healthy individuals who were not practicing any form of physical exercise or stress management techniques. What the researchers found was thought provoking. Clearly, the cellular activity between the two groups was different.

The Kriya practitioners had a better antioxidant status at the enzyme and the gene level. Also they had less DNA damage and cell aging. It is difficult to know if this change will lead to longer life span, de crease rates of cancer, or lessen heart disease, but “we should practice some type of breathing technique once a day to reduce stress,” said Dr Neeta Singh, who herself is a big fan of the Kriya and does it twice everyday. Though bio chemical science and spirituality may seem miles apart, it is heartening to see ancient practices and modern science converging in man’s endeav our to live a richer and healthier life.