A comprehensive review of Yoga's impact on Immunomodulatory Functions and Microbiome in Obesity

Abstract

The issue of food security is often viewed through the lens of scarcity, but an equally critical concern is the global rise of obesity resulting from excessive energy intake and insufficient expenditure. Affluent societies, driven by food trends favoring energy-dense, nutrient-poor diets coupled with sedentary lifestyles, grapple with the burgeoning problem of overweight and obesity. India, too, faces a surge in obesity, contributing to lifestyle-related and metabolic disorders. Multiple factors, including diet, genetics, environment, and notably, a lack of physical activity, contribute to this health crisis. Obesity, marked by low-grade inflammation, significantly impacts immune function. Research indicates alterations in the intestinal immune system, fostering a pro-inflammatory environment linked to metabolic disorders associated with obesity. True health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being, transcending the mere absence of disease. Lifestyle elements like environment, sleep, diet, and exercise play pivotal roles in maintaining good health. Yoga, emerging as a prominent Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapy, holds promise for enhancing physiological and psychological health. In addressing obesity and modulating immune functions, non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical interventions, like yoga, offer viable solutions. Studies attest to yoga's positive impact on inflammatory markers in the obese, yet a comprehensive understanding of its effects on immunomodulation and the gut microbiome in obesity within the context of Indian and Yogic systems warrants deeper exploration. Incorporating such holistic approaches into daily routines could provide effective strategies for combating obesity and promoting overall well-being.