A 12-week randomized controlled trial by Rima Dada and colleagues at AIIMS, New Delhi investigated whether a comprehensive yoga program could influence oxidative stress, mitochondrial health, hormonal balance, inflammation, and depression symptoms in women with PCOS.
Yoga may affect more than flexibility and relaxation. A randomized controlled trial published in the International Journal of Yoga investigated whether a structured 12-week yoga program could influence biological processes associated with PCOS, including oxidative stress and mitochondrial function.
Participants in the yoga group practiced approximately 90 minutes a day, five days per week, incorporating physical postures, pranayama, meditation, loosening exercises, and Surya Namaskar. Practices included Tadasana, Baddha Konasana, Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Supta Baddha Konasana and Shavasana, along with Kapalbhati, Bhastrika, Nadi Shodhana and Bhramari. After 12 weeks, the yoga group showed significant reductions in several oxidative-stress measures, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), 8-OHdG and 4-HNE, while total antioxidant capacity increased.
The researchers also reported increases in mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitochondrial membrane potential, together with changes in genes involved in mitochondrial integrity and the respiratory chain. Hormonal measures also shifted, with decreases in LH, LH/FSH ratio, AMH and testosterone and an increase in FSH within the yoga group. Depression scores also declined following yoga practice.
These findings suggest that a comprehensive yoga practice may influence multiple cellular, hormonal and psychological pathways simultaneously. However, the authors emphasize important limitations including the small sample size, short intervention period and lack of blinding so larger and longer trials are needed.
