Reduce Oxidative Stress with Tai Chi
By John M. de Castro, Ph.D.
“Oxidative stress is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell and tissue damage. Oxidative stress occurs naturally and plays a role in the aging process.” – Jamie Eske
Free radicals are oxidants that need to be balanced with antioxidants. If there is an imbalance in the cells and the blood it produces a condition known as oxidative stress that has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases, gene mutations and cancers, chronic fatigue syndrome, fragile X syndrome, heart and blood vessel disorders, atherosclerosis, heart failure, heart attack and inflammatory diseases. So, there is a need for treatments to reduce oxidative stress. Yoga practice is an exercise and a mindfulness practice that produces a significant increase in blood antioxidants, reducing oxidative stress. Mindful movement practices such as Tai Chi and Qigong are also exercises and mindfulness practices. It is interesting to investigate whether these practices are also effective in reducing oxidative stress.
In today’s Research News article “Effect of Tai Chi on Markers of Oxidative Stress: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” (See summary below or view the full text of the study at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8037964/ ) Rosado-Pérez and colleagues review, summarize, and perform a meta-analysis of the published research studies of the effects of Tai Chi practice on oxidative stress.
They identified 10 published research studies 5 of which were randomized controlled trials. They contained a total of 621 participants. Oxidative stress involves a number of markers in the blood. They report that the published studies found that Tai Chi practice resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and a significant decrease in the levels of lipoperoxides. So, Tai Chi practice reduced oxidative stress.
Tai Chi practice is both a mindfulness training and an exercise. The published studies did not compare Tai Chi to other exercises. So, it cannot be determined if the observed reduction in oxidative stress markers produced by Tai Chi practice was due to which component or both. Regardless, it is clear that Tai Chi practice reduces oxidative stress. This may be one of the underlying mechanisms by which Tai Chi improves the health and well-being of practitioners.
So, reduce oxidative stress with Tai Chi.
CMCS – Center for Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies
“One year of Tai Chi training has been reported to promote superoxide dismutase activity and lessen lipid peroxidation.” – Chitrawina Mahagita
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Study Summary
Rosado-Pérez, J., Castelán-Martínez, O. D., Mújica-Calderón, A. J., Sánchez-Rodríguez, M. A., & Mendoza-Núñez, V. M. (2021). Effect of Tai Chi on Markers of Oxidative Stress: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(7), 3458. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073458
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to synthesize the evidence of the effect of practicing Tai Chi on oxidative stress markers (OxSM). Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducting using the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Epistemonikos, Lilacs, and Ovid databases to identify randomized (RCT) and non-randomized (NRCT) clinical trials that evaluated the Tai Chi effect on OxSM compared to sedentary behavior, walking or yoga. Pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using the inverse variance method to determine the effect of Tai Chi on OxSM. PROSPERO register: CRD42019138362. Results: Five RCT and five NRCT were included. Compared to sedentary behavior, regular Tai Chi practice increases the levels of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (MD = 34.97 U/mL, (95%CI, 9.45 to 60.48), 344 participants) and catalase (MD = 15.63 U/mL, (95%CI, 4.05 to 27.22), 110 participants), as well as reducing the levels of lipoperoxides (MD = −0.02 µmol/L, (95%CI, −0.04 to −0.00), 234 participants). For comparisons with walking or yoga, only one study per activity was identified comparing the effect on OxSM. Conclusions: Regular Tai Chi practice increases the levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as reducing the levels of lipoperoxides. More studies are necessary to determine the effect of Tai Chi on OxSM when compared to other physical activities.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8037964/