Ohio State Integrative Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43221, USA.
Department of Physiology and Health, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, IA 52556, USA.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2020 Dec 11;56(12):687. doi: 10.3390/medicina56120687.
Ayurveda is a comprehensive, natural health care system that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. Epigenetics refers to the external modification of DNA that turns genes on and off, affecting gene expression. This occurs without changes in the basic structure of the DNA. This gene expression can have transgenerational effects. The major factors that cause epigenetic changes are lifestyle and behavior, diet and digestion, stress, and environmental factors. Ayurveda addresses these factors, thereby affecting the Deha (body) Prakriti (psychophysiological constitution), which corresponds to the phenotype, and indirectly the Janma (birth) Prakriti, which corresponds to the genotype. Thus, it is proposed that epigenetics is an important mechanism of Ayurveda. This correlation and understanding will lead to better communication and understanding with the current medical system, and lead to better integration of both sciences in the management of optimal health. In addition, research on Ayurvedic modalities affecting gene expression will further increase correlation and understanding between the current medical system and Ayurveda.
阿育吠陀是一种起源于古印度吠陀时代的综合性自然保健系统。表观遗传学是指 DNA 的外部修饰，它可以打开和关闭基因，从而影响基因表达。这种变化不会改变 DNA 的基本结构。这种基因表达可能具有跨代效应。导致表观遗传变化的主要因素是生活方式和行为、饮食和消化、压力以及环境因素。阿育吠陀针对这些因素，从而影响德哈（身体）普拉克提（心理生理体质），这与表型相对应，间接影响雅玛（出生）普拉克提，这与基因型相对应。因此，有人提出表观遗传学是阿育吠陀的一个重要机制。这种相关性和理解将导致与当前医疗体系更好地沟通和理解，并导致在最佳健康管理方面更好地整合这两种科学。此外，对影响基因表达的阿育吠陀模式的研究将进一步增加当前医疗体系与阿育吠陀之间的相关性和理解。
