Yoga for Inflammation
This a very broad subject, with a lot of active research occurring constantly. The information presented is current at this time, and does not include a lot of biochemical depth. Please use articles in the reference list for more detail about specific topics.
Inflammation is a necessary part of maintaining homeostasis. The Inflammatory process is closely bound to the Immune System. In health – these processes work together to counter any assault on the body and to return the bodies tissues back to full function
Inflammatory process:
Innate immunity – the first response to any harmful assault on the body. This information about the response, is generalised but the process does (usually) follow a predicable path.
· Hemostasis phase – blood clotting and formation of a thrombus
· Inflammatory phase – swelling (chemotaxis attracts Immune cells to area and the blood vessel walls become porous); heat; pain; redness
· Proliferation phase – tissue repair and restoration of function (if encouraged)
· Maturation phase – remodelling. Scar tissue development.
Remember – this pattern occurs anywhere in the body that there is tissue damage
The degree of the response will depend on
· The load – the amount of foreign invader that is taken into the body
· The virulence – the strength of the invading organism to enter the body
· The hosts immune response and any memory of this invader
· The time to isolate and overwhelm the invading organism.
The longer an infection is occurring in the body – the more immune cell chemotaxis is recruited and the inflammatory response is activated. The chronic activation will both
· Reduce the acute immune/inflammatory ability for a response
· Causes damage to more tissues around the original infection site, preventing full function to tissues and organs (long term dysfunction associated with chronic diseases)
· A systemic response to many other areas of the body can develop – autoimmune disease
· Epigenetic changes start to occur where the DNA sequences are altered by chronically persistent infections. (note – it is recommended that more research needs to be done in this area)
The negative outcomes from chronic inflammation and disease association are well documented (see reference list)
Chronic inflammation is strongly associated with most chronic diseases.
Pain: The pain from an acute inflammatory process should start to reduce with a few days and completely resolve over the next few weeks. If the pain becomes chronic, this will also stimulate the inflammatory process. For more detailed information, please see the Yoga for Pain Care Workshop by Dr Marlysa Sullivan on the Yoga Therapy Institute site.
The Gut and inflammation: This is a very broad topic with research finding new information constantly.
The duodenum is a very active part for digestion especially for fats and carbohydrates (glucose). Duodenitis is infection of this part of the GI tract. Iron is absorbed in this area. Any inflammation will impede all absorption of nutrients from this area. Many people have low grade duodenitis without major S&S, but may have low grade anaemia, fatigue from low iron and poor glucose uptake, reduced protein uptake, and reduced fat (lipid) digestion. This can cause reduced hormone production. (many hormones are lipid based, as are the cell walls), in other words – ‘just don’t feel well’.
See reference list for more detailed information
Cell walls: - provides structural support/shape, acts as a selective and protective barrier. Regulated osmotic pressure (fluid balance) and mechanical stress. Provides selection of all nutrients/hormones/chemicals that enter and leave the cell. Invading organisms &/or the toxins they produce, can damage this cell wall, resulting in cell death and surrounding tissue/organ dysfunction. Problems occur when the cell/tissue damage becomes chronic and specific functions carried out by those cells/organs becomes compromised. It is the damage caused that results with the symptoms of chronic disease. One example is Endothelial cell dysfunction within the circulatory system, especially the arterial vessels. The production of Nitric Oxide is compromised (BP control) and the inflammation starts the arthrosclerosis process.
Note: diets high in saturated fats result with the lipid cell walls becoming resistant to a lot of transport through the membrane, especially insulin-glucose complex, resulting with insulin resistance and lack of ATP production within the cell.
Muscles & Myokines: - it is well known the benefits of daily movement. The research into muscle activation and the production of myokines has shown a clear interaction with inflammation and anti-inflammation. Getting muscles moving is now a well-established intervention for all tissue damage and infections.
Cellular senescence: This may be something you have heard/read a lot about lately. A lot of research happening about cellular senescence, chronic disease, N-iLD and ageing.
All cells in the body have a pre-set turnover life. The old &/or abnormal cells are removed by apoptosis called programmed cell death and does not cause any damage to surrounding tissues.
Senescence does occur through-out the lifespan. The problems arise when proliferating cells become resistant to growth factors and do not divide correctly, often due to DNA damage. The cells die off but the cellular debris is not removed fully, and the cell contents, now in the interstitial space, stimulates an inflammatory response resulting in Non-infectious Inflammatory Disease – NiID. There are many causes of N-iID and all form of stress, environmental toxins and Lifestyle are factors. The resulting chronic inflammatory process results with increasing damaged tissues around the inflamed area.
(There is a lot of research into cellular senescence and possible pharmaceutical drugs called ‘senolytics’).
Mitochondria.
“importance of optimal mitochondrial function for health and the growing body of research showing dysfunction is surprisingly common and associated with most chronic disease”. Pizzorno. 2014.
Mitochondria: once again, if you read social media, you would be led to believe that the mitochondria are the only part of the human body associated with health. Not so simple – as usual.
The mitochondria are usually thought of as the energy producing organelle within the cell. Every cell has mitochondria, and highly active cells, eg muscle, cardiac; have large numbers of mitochondria in each cell. Mitochondria have a lot of other functions other than energy production. They contain their own DNA, they release signalling molecules and are involved with cell death. Mitochondria produce DAMP’s – damage-associated molecular patterns. When a mitochondria produces DAMPs, the immune system is activated and a protective inflammatory response starts. DAMPs are produced in response to any cellular stress – mechanical, infection, environmental, and reduced essential components (oxygen, electrolytes &/or removal of metabolic by-products).
Research in 2023 was able to demonstrate a strong association between mitochondrial DAMPs and inflammation. Marchi et al. 2023
ROS:- A lot of information (some correct – some just hype) about Reactive Oxygen Species – ROS and its role in inflammation is on social media. ROS results from the normal and essential respiration of the mitochondria when producing energy. It is when an imbalance between the amount of ROS produced and the body’s ability to ‘clean up’ the excess ROS. This is called Oxidative stress and it is this imbalance that overwhelms the antioxidant system, resulting in tissue/organ damage. Any form of chronic inflammation in the body, from any cause, results with excess ROS = oxidative stress.
See article by Kowalczyk et al, in reference list for more detailed explanation.
The combination of ROS and DAMP constantly stimulate pro-inflammatory signalling. A healthy system will remove all damaged cell and cell debris – apoptosis. When this process does not happen and the low grade inflammation continues = tissue/organ damage = chronic disease especially Autoimmune disease.
How to keep your Mitochondria happy and healthy: YOGA YOGA YOGA
· Good and constant supply of oxygen and nutrients – circulation
· Constant pick up by the garbage truck
· Muscles in a healthy state of relaxed tension
· Reduced stress and equanimity
· Suitable sleep length and pattern. Pay attention to circadian clock
Lymphatic system:
In one of the research articles, (Dixon) the question is asked ‘Lymphatic Lipid Transport: Sewer or Subway?’. This question applies to the Lymphatic system throughout the body. The interstitial space is constantly cleaned out by the capillary network and especially the lymphatic vessels. The cellular debris from senescent cells and ROS metabolic) by-products must be cleaned out all the time. This occurs with movement and good hydration. The lymphatic system also carries the fatty chyle absorbed from the small intestine, and carries this fatty fluid into general circulation.
How you contract the muscles is important for the transport of the lymphatic fluid. Start at the extremities, with gravity, and move towards the lymphatic ducts into the nodes, where the Lymphatic fluid to ‘treated’ and then moved into the general circulation. Again, Yoga movements greatly aid this movement.
Glymphatic system:
The specialised lymphatic drainage of the brain is essential for healthy brain function.
The main contributors to the optimum functioning is
· Daily muscle movement
· Healthy muscle tone
· Good hydration
· Reduced stress
· Sleep
During sleep, attention must be paid to the neck position and muscle tension. Doing neck release movement before bed, and other yoga interventions will be beneficial - mantras
N-iID: This is an area of significant research. It is noted that often N-iID is occurring without Signs & Symptoms but is related to ongoing chronic health problems.
Chronic Stress:
This is an area with well-known negative health impacts. Yoga has many interventions for Stress reduction. Helping your students to become aware of any chronic stress in their life is a major benefit.
Breathing
In YOGA, the many benefits of full breath is well known. The other major impact is on the Lymphatic transport. The Cisterna Chyli sits under the diaphragm. It picks up fluid from the abdominal area and peripheries and transports it via the aortic hiatus through the diaphragm. So every full movement of the diaphragm helps move the lymphatic fluid up into the subclavian veins then into the R side of heart.
Every time we take a full breath, we move the lymphatic fluid throughout the body especially in the thoracic cavity. The breath has a ‘pull/push’ action throughout the body.
Reference
Andersen, C. 2022. Lipid Metabolism in Inflammation and Immune Function. Nutrients. 14(1414).
Bauer, B. 2024. Mitochondrial Health – Keeping your Tiny Powerhouse in Tip Top Shape. Mayo Clinic.
Di Ludovico, A., La Bella, S., Ciarelli, F., Chiarelli,. Breda, L. & Mohn, A. 2024. Skeletal muscle as a pro-and anti-inflammatory tissue: Insights from children to adults and ultrasound findings. Journal of Ultrasound. 27.p.769-779.
Dixon, J. 2010. Lymphatic Lipid transport: Sewer or Subway?. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. 21(8).p.48—487.
Furman, D., Campsi, J., Verdin, E., Carrera-Bastos, P., Targ, S., Franceschi, C., Ferrucci, L., Gilroy, D., Fasano, A., Miller, G., Miller, A., Mantovani, A., Weyand, C., Barzilai, N., Goronzy, J., Rando, T., Effros, R., Lucia, A., Kleinstreuer, N., & Slavich, G. 2019. Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the lifespan. Nature medicine. 25. p. 1822-1832.
Grabowski, G. How Systemic Inflammation Affects Your Brain & Central Nervous System. National Gaucher Foundation. Downloaded from
https://www.gaucherdisease.org/blog/systemic-inflammation-and-the-cns/
Guo, C., Sun, L., Chen, X., Zhang, D. 2013. Oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and neurodegenerative disease. Neural Regeneration Research. 8(21).
Hokari, R. & Tomioka, A. 2021. The role of lymphatics i9n intestinal inflammation. Inflammation and Regeneration. 41 (25).
Hong, S. 2017. Just 20 minutes of exercise enough to reduce inflammation, study finds. Brain, Behaviour and Immunity. Downloaded from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315255
Jessen, N., Munk, A., Lundgaard, I., Nedergaard, M. 2015. The Glymphatic System – A beginner’s Guide. Neurochemical Research. 40(12).p.2583-2599.
Kowalczyk, P., Sulejczak, D., Kleczkowska, P., Bukowska-Osko, I., Kucia, M., Popiel, M., Wietrak, E., Kramkowski, K., Wrzosek, K. & Kaczynska, K. 2021. Mitochondrial Oxidativen Stress – A Causitive Factor and Therapeutic Target in Many Diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22 (13384).
Liu, Y., Wang, Y., & Jiang, C.2017. Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 11(316)
Marchi, S., Guilbaud, E., Tait, S., Yamazaki, T., Galluzzi, L. 2023. Mitochondrial control of inflammation. Nature reviews Immunology. 23. p. 159-168.
Pizzorno, P. 2014. Mitochrondia – Fundamental to Life and Health. Integrative Medicine. 13(2).
Schipani, D. 2023. Here’s How Stress and Inflammation Are Linked. Reviewed by Greenfield, R.
downloaded from https://www.everydayhealth.com/wellness/united-states-of-stress/link-between-stress-inflammation
Song, P., An, J. & Zou, M. 2020. Immune Clearance of Senescent Cells to Combat Ageing and Chronic Disease. Cells. 9(671).
Storrs, C. 2022. Inflammation: A Driving Force of Autoimmune Disease. Downloaded 17.12.2024.
https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/articles/inflammation-a-driving-force-of-autoimmune-disease
Wiig, H. 2011. Pathophysiology of tissue fluid accumulation in inflammation. The Journal of Physiology. 589.12 (2011).p.2945-2953.
