Yoga and healthy dietary practices enhance the psycho-neuroimmune system and
other physiological functions like cardiovascular health. Yoga reduces the action of
the sympathetic nervous system and increases the action of the parasympathetic nervous
system, and reduces heart rate, stress reactions, and the flow of Adrenalin in the
body. Breathing exercises like pranayama and meditation help in the management of
stress and relaxation of the body. They also supply more oxygen to the heart.
Meditations activate the psycho-Neuro-Immune system (PNI) of the body and
release the positive neurotransmitters that help in the reversal of heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) indeed is a global health burden. Major risk
factors of CVD are obesity and stress. Adequate physical activity and relaxation
techniques can lower the risk of CVD. Physical exercise and pranayama are
components of yoga. There are marked abnormalities in the neurohormonal system
in a variety of disease states. The most dramatic examples of heightened neuronal
adrenergic activity of disrupted receptor functions are heart failure, acute myocardial
ischemia, hypertension, coronary artery vasospasm, and post-operative arrhythmias.
The levels of catecholamine correlate with the outcome of patients with heart failure
and cardiac arrhythmias. Abnormal neurohormone status has been thought to
contribute to myocardial ischemia; these hormonal disturbances can be settled to a
large extent by practicing yoga. Dietary guidelines recommend a high intake of
vegetables and fruits and a low intake of saturated fatty acids, cholesterol, and salt to
reduce cardiovascular morbidity.
