What does science say?
We spoke to Dr Tarun Sahni, a senior internal medicine specialist and head of India's first private HBOT center at Apollo Hospital in Delhi, to understand if this approach to anti-aging holds up under scientific scrutiny.
"The HBOT process allows oxygen to dissolve directly into the blood plasma, in addition to the oxygen carried by hemoglobin in red blood cells, thereby increasing oxygen delivery to tissues," said Dr Sahni, who is also the president of the Hyperbaric Society of India. "The additional oxygen is supposed to be beneficial for various illnesses. There are about 13 or 14 conditions that are globally accepted and are evidence-based and are reimbursed through insurances in most parts of the world."
These conditions, according to him, include radiation-induced tissue damage (for example, radiation cystitis or osteoradionecrosis), diabetic non-healing wounds, acute hearing loss, and central retinal artery obstruction. The therapy enhances healing by increasing oxygen availability to tissues, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair, as supported by established medical evidence.
????? Meditation to Reduce Anxiety: What the Science Reveals
In our fast-paced, tech-heavy world, anxiety has become a silent epidemic. Yet meditation—a timeless practice—offers a powerful antidote. Clinical evidence shows it can be as effective as medication, all while nurturing the mind, body, and spirit.
?? 1. Meditation vs. Medication
A landmark randomized clinical trial published in JAMA Psychiatry compared 8 weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with the antidepressant escitalopram (Lexapro). Both groups showed around 30% reduction in anxiety symptoms. However, 80% of the medication group experienced side effects, compared to just 15% in the MBSR group. time.com+8reddit.com+8reddit.com+8health.com
?? 2. Meta-Analyses Confirm Effectiveness
A 2012 meta-analysis of 36 RCTs (2,466 observations) found meditation significantly more effective than waitlist or attention controls—effect sizes ranged from –0.52 to –0.59—for non-clinical anxiety symptoms.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3
Another study showed meditation had a slight edge over relaxation techniques (Hedges’ g = –0.23), with more sustained benefits at the 12-month follow-up. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1cambridge.org+1
?? 3. Student Populations Benefit Too
A 2012 University of Guangzhou study found that nursing students who meditated for just 7 days (30 min/day) had significantly lower anxiety scores and a modest reduction in systolic blood pressure (average –2.2?mmHg) compared to control participants. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
A 2019 review of meditation and mindfulness in university students reported moderate improvements in anxiety (g ˜ 0.46) and other stress-related outcomes. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+1frontiersin.org+1
?? 4. How Does Meditation Work?
- Neuroplasticity & Fear Extinction: Meditation supports new neural pathways in the hippocampus, helping to “unlearn” fear—much like exposure therapy. reddit.com
- Reduced Rumination: A study showed meditation significantly decreases ruminative thoughts (g = 0.57), a key contributor to anxiety. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+15
- Stress Hormone Modulation: Meditation lowers cortisol and improves autonomic balance. Studies show reduction in anxiety and depression correlated with physiological calm.
?? 5. Practical Results for Everyday Life
Even brief, daily meditation offers significant benefits. A PsyPost study revealed that 13-minute guided meditations for 8 weeks improved mood, concentration, memory, and stress resilience versus a control group. reddit.com
?? 6. The Commitment Matters
Meditation requires consistency. In the escitalopram vs MBSR trial, only 28% continued meditation by week 24 compared to 52% who stayed on medication—highlighting the importance of sustained support.reddit.com+2health.com+2reddit.com+2
?? What This Means for You
If you're experiencing anxiety, meditation offers a low-cost, side-effect-free option supported by clinical evidence—effective for both clinical and non-clinical symptoms. But it's most powerful when practiced consistently, ideally within a guided program like MBSR.
????? Integrating Meditation into Your Life
Here’s a simple anxiety-reducing meditation you can try today:
Four-Seven-Eight Breathing Technique
- Inhale quietly through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold the breath for 7 seconds
- Exhale completely through your mouth for 8 seconds
- Repeat for 4–8 cycles, ideally once in the morning and once before bed
Begin with guided breath awareness—let your thoughts flow without judgment, returning gently to the breath.
?? References
?? Takeaway
Meditation isn’t a luxury—it’s a science-backed healing practice that can significantly reduce anxiety, even when practiced short-term. At Beyond AI Space, we blend traditional mindfulness with universal energy techniques to support your healing—naturally, holistically, and sustainably.
Meditative therapies for reducing anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Kevin W Chen 1, Christine C Berger, Eric Manheimer, Darlene Forde, Jessica Magidson, Laya Dachman, C W Lejuez
Affiliations expand
Abstract
Background: Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychiatric disorders and meditative therapies are frequently sought by patients with anxiety as a complementary therapy. Although multiple reviews exist on the general health benefits of meditation, no review has focused on the efficacy of meditation for anxiety specifically.
Methods: Major medical databases were searched thoroughly with keywords related to various types of meditation and anxiety. Over 1,000 abstracts were screened, and 200+ full articles were reviewed. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The Boutron (Boutron et al., 2005: J Clin Epidemiol 58:1233-1240) checklist to evaluate a report of a nonpharmaceutical trial (CLEAR-NPT) was used to assess study quality; 90% of the authors were contacted for additional information. Review Manager 5 was used for meta-analysis.
Results: A total of 36 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (2,466 observations). Most RCTs were conducted among patients with anxiety as a secondary concern. The study quality ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 on the 0.0-1.0 scale (mean = 0.72). Standardized mean difference (SMD) was -0.52 in comparison with waiting-list control (p < .001; 25 RCTs), -0.59 in comparison with attention control (p < .001; seven RCTs), and -0.27 in comparison with alternative treatments (p < .01; 10 RCTs). Twenty-five studies reported statistically superior outcomes in the meditation group compared to control. No adverse effects were reported.
Conclusions: This review demonstrates some efficacy of meditative therapies in reducing anxiety symptoms, which has important clinical implications for applying meditative techniques in treating anxiety. However, most studies measured only improvement in anxiety symptoms, but not anxiety disorders as clinically diagnosed.
© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
????? The Transformative Power of Meditation: Returning to Your Natural State
In today’s world of constant notifications, digital distractions, and never-ending demands, the mind has become overworked and overwhelmed. Many are searching for peace, clarity, and purpose—but few realize the most powerful solution lies not outside, but within.
Meditation is not just a practice. It’s a return to your natural state—a doorway to inner stillness, balance, and spiritual awakening. At Beyond AI Space, we view meditation as one of the most essential tools for reconnecting to your soul, nature, and the universal intelligence that guides all life.
?? What Is Meditation Really?
Meditation is often misunderstood as “emptying the mind” or sitting in silence for hours. In truth, meditation is a process of re-centering—gently guiding your awareness away from chaos and back to the present moment.
It’s about observing your thoughts, not controlling them. It’s about feeling your breath, your heartbeat, your existence—without judgment. It’s where you remember that you are not your stress, your past, or your problems.
You are peace itself.
?? The Science Behind Meditation
Modern research is catching up with what ancient wisdom has known for centuries:
- ?? Reduces stress hormones (like cortisol)
- ?? Rewires the brain through neuroplasticity
- ?? Balances emotions and improves empathy
- ?? Improves sleep, focus, and energy levels
- ??? Boosts creativity, intuition, and inner clarity
Even a few minutes a day can create long-lasting shifts in your body, mind, and soul.
?? Why Meditation Is Essential in the Age of Technology
We live in a hyperconnected world, yet many feel disconnected—from nature, from purpose, and even from themselves. Constant screen exposure, social media comparison, and overstimulation are affecting our health, relationships, and inner peace.
That’s why meditation isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity.
At Beyond AI Space, our mission is to help you step beyond the digital noise and reconnect to your true self. Through guided meditations, breathwork, and energy alignment sessions, we bring you back into flow with nature and the universal rhythm of life.
? What Meditation Can Help You Heal
- Chronic stress and burnout
- Anxiety, depression, or emotional pain
- Lack of purpose or spiritual disconnection
- Sleep troubles and mental fatigue
- Feelings of disconnection in a tech-driven life
?? Simple Meditation to Try Today
Nature Breath Meditation (5–10 minutes)
- Find a quiet space near nature (or visualize a natural place you love)
- Sit comfortably. Close your eyes.
- Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold your breath for 4 seconds
- Exhale slowly through your mouth for 6 seconds
- Repeat and imagine you are breathing in the life force of the Earth
- With each breath, allow stillness to enter your heart
Embrace the Healing Power of Nature
3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health
Need an excuse to get out of the house? Research continues to show that being outside and experiencing nature can improve our mental health and increase our ability to focus.
Many of us are in front of a screen for much of our day — whether that be a computer, TV, or smartphone. As a result, we spend less time outside experiencing the natural world. Here are some reasons why we all can benefit from taking a nature break.
1. Nature can help us improve our thinking, reasoning, and other mental abilities
When we're in urban environments or the office all day, we can experience sensory overload, resulting in tension and mental fatigue. Studies have shown that our minds and bodies relax in a natural setting. This increases feelings of pleasure and can help us concentrate and focus more effectively, according to studies in the National Library of Medicine.
Being outdoors can also have relaxing effects on our minds. Nature can provide a mental break by allowing us to temporarily escape the demands of everyday life. It can also boost your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
For example, if you're having a mental block writing a paper or can't seem to solve a problem at work, step outside for a breath of fresh air. Take an easy walk around your neighborhood or office. You just might find the answers you were looking for.
2. Nature can improve physical wellness
Getting out into nature can lead us to want to walk, bike, hike, or kayak more often. People typically engage in regular physical activity when they're in nature. So, stepping outside can help you keep a healthy weight or even lose weight by increasing activity levels.
Studies also show that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure). Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system.
3. Being outside can improve your mental health
Nature can help decrease your anxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger. Exercise can also help this, but it's even better when you're outside.
Regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower risks of depression and improved concentration and attention. Being outside allows us to be social and come together with family, friends, or even people you don't know while on a hiking trail, for example.
Additionally, you may find that you sleep better when you are regularly outside. Daily exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep/wake cycles. By making sure that you get outside in sunlight every day, you can improve your ability to sleep at night.
Nature can also have benefits for children. One study in Denmark examined 900,000 residents born between 1985 and 2003. They found that children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of mental disorders later in life.
Learn about the symptoms of anxiety and how to know when you need help
Read about 10 health benefits of meditation and how to focus on mindfulness
Other benefits to being in nature
There are some positive health impacts related to getting outdoors. You can learn more about these in the research summary from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They include the following:
- People who live near parks and green space have less mental distress, are more physically active, and have longer life spans.
- Exposure to nature may decrease death from chronic disease.
- When people exercise outdoors in nature, they do so for longer periods of time and at greater intensities.
- Positive health effects are enhanced when green space includes water.
Simple outdoor exercises if you're short on time
If you have a busy schedule and don't have much time to get outside, these may help you get a quick nature fix:
- 5 minutes: Stand outside with the sun on your face or take off your shoes to feel the grass in between your toes. If the weather isn't great, take a few minutes to gaze out a window at the scenery outside.
- 25 minutes: Go out for a stroll and take some deep breaths. You could even eat your lunch outside or take a phone call or meeting outdoors.
Other fun ideas to experience nature
- Plan a picnic with friends or family. Find a park or green space to enjoy a meal and maybe take a frisbee or soccer ball.
- Rent a kayak or canoe on a nearby waterway.
- Find a hiking trail you've never been to.
- Dust off your bicycle and go for an easy ride around the neighborhood.
- Take your dog for a walk to a nearby park — they'll enjoy it just as much as you will.
- Grab a book and find a shady tree to sit under.
- Plant a vegetable or flower garden in your yard or on your patio.
- Take up golfing with a friend or family member.
- Meet up with a neighbor or friend to walk daily or weekly.
- Go bird watching at a nearby state park or wildlife habitat.
More articles on why the great outdoors is good for your health
Meditation and Its Mental and Physical Health Benefits
This article discusses the power of meditation and how beneficial it is for the body. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown many positive brain changes and improved several brain functions. Meditation has several benefits improving the immune system and inflammatory processes by decreasing cytokine; appropriate telomere shortening also has helped healthy aging. Regarding physical health, meditation has been beneficial in various multi-factorial diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and fibromyalgia. It has also helped bring down blood cholesterol levels and increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL) levels. Improvement was also seen in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Mental health is another aspect influenced by meditation, as positive emotion brought about by meditation helps address various mental problems like social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Overall, it seems to have some impact in all health areas. However, the magnitude of its effect is not known. More diverse and detailed studies should yield more beneficial clinical outcomes.
Keywords: meditation and physical health, meditation and immunology, meditation and genetics, meditation and mental health, meditation
Introduction and background
Everything in our daily life starts from one essential thing known as our thoughts. The most important question that needs answering is how much our thoughts impact our everyday life. What changes can we bring about if we can change it? "Mindfulness," also known as meditation and reflection, is the relationship between internal and environmental consciousness [1]. When studied about meditation in the light of neuroscience, our brain indeed has a system through which we can get rid of maladaptive thoughts and restructure our brain [1]. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have pointed out that meditation leads to widespread changes in the brain along with the activation of emotional and cognitive centers of the brain [2]. Meditation has shown promising results with age-related brain aging in younger and middle-aged individuals and improved various brain functions, including cognition and other executive functions [3].
It is observed that constant reinforcement of happy thoughts is good for the well-being of both mental and physical health [4]. Moreover, positive reviews positively impact our immune health by reducing interleukin six (IL-6) levels [4]. Such changes at a biological level mean our thoughts have some effect on our physical system. It might be possible that other body systems have a similar impact on our body, and mindfulness can help us yield those hidden gems in our biological system. As seen in the effect on our immune system, our genes are also affected. Effective meditation has had changes in telomerase shortening, which means the aging process can be delayed, as the longevity of our cells tends to increase with appropriate telomerase regulation [5]. The best thing about our brain is that it is a highly complex and neuroplastic structure; however, its scope and diversity are yet to be determined, and how much energy and possibility is there remains a mystery [6]. Is it possible for the way we think to become our reality, and if it is confirmed by memorizing and rehearsing our health, will we be able to change it?
This literature review will shed some light on how mindfulness and our thinking pattern are vital components of our health. With the help of studies, we will decipher if meditation or mindfulness is responsible for significantly changing mental and physical states. This review will also discuss if any changes are occurring at the genetic level or if any changes are observed in our immune system or our inflammatory markers.
Review
This section will focus in-depth on the various aspects of meditation, and through studies, we will see if there is any proven benefit to the mental and physical health of people who meditate. Furthermore, we will see if there are any fruitful benefits at the genetic or immunological level due to meditation. Figure 1 below shows the areas of health to be discussed that are influenced by meditation.
Meditation and its clinical benefits on physical health
This section will focus on the effects of meditation on different diseases and whether including such practices in your treatment will be of any clinical benefit. One of the widespread multi-factorial diseases is hypertension. Hypertension is usually considered to be caused by poor lifestyle factors and increased sensitivity of the autonomic system, and one of the most important factors is stress. Meditation is a great way to reduce the harmful effects of hypertension [12]. A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs were conducted to assess the impact of meditation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Six studies were included, which showed a statistically significant effect on diastolic blood pressure reduction compared to the control; on the other hand, the systolic blood pressure results were statistically significant at a very marginal level.
Moreover, those people who were on anti-hypertensive medication showed a better influence on systolic blood pressure with meditation compared to those without a prescription [13]. Another study was done in Korea. This time both hypertensive and diabetic patients were selected as subjects and the effect of education classes (controls) versus brain-education-based meditation (BEM) was studied. In this study, we looked at 48 patients with either diabetes or hypertension. They were divided into two groups, with either BEM or education classes, and the study was conducted for eight weeks in the Ulsan Junggu Public Health Center. Then we looked at levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), expression of inflammatory genes, and reports on physical and mental health were determined. There was a significant decrease in LDL level (13.82; p<0.05) expression of inflammatory genes (0.3-, 0.5-, and 0.2-fold change for Nf-kb 2, v-rel reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA), and interleukin one B (IL1-B), respectively, P<0.05); however, no difference was seen in the remaining biochemical markers including HDL [13]. The results are shown in table 2 below. As discussed, meditation can be a valuable adjunct to other pharmacological interventions, as it has shown some benefits in diabetic and hypertensive patients. Meditation has also shown benefits in diseases like fibromyalgia [14]. The physical effects of meditation should be further studied under different conditions to see the diversity of its impact to see which diseases it affects the most.
Meditation and its clinical benefits on mental health
This section will discuss the benefits that can be attained from meditation on our mental health. Meditation is derived from the Buddhist culture, where they believed that "Sukh" or happiness is something that can be achieved by immersing into the nature of reality and by focusing on the present [4]. It has also been shown that meditation increases happiness by explicitly increasing the positive emotional response within the human body [4]. The question remains whether this positive emotional reinforcement affects our mental health clinically. We studied the effect of meditation on mental health. A pilot study was done to check the efficacy of a smartphone-based app to check mood symptoms in cancer patients following meditation. There were several different scales used to assess mood symptoms, and the reading was taken at baseline and an interval of two weeks. There were 35 participants in the study, of which 18 were controls, and 17 were doing meditation. The results revealed a proportional increase in the meditation duration and the improvement of mood symptoms.
Moreover, one of the scales reported improvement in sleep, focus, and mood in the meditation group compared to the intervention group. It showed improved mood symptoms following meditation [18]. The effect of meditation on mental health is not only restricted to minor signs of anxiety but has also been shown to decrease the impact of suicidal thoughts and behavior. A systematic review was done in December 2020 to check whether meditation affects suicidal thoughts and behavior. A total of 14 studies were included from various databases, and all of them showed a reduction in suicidal behavior and ideas, especially those who had major depressive disorder [19].
In today's world, a very under-spoken problem present in our society, which is also considered a global concern nowadays, is "loneliness" [20]. A study was conducted to test whether meditation helps develop social relationship processes. In this study, meditation skills like monitoring of present moment and acceptance might help in improving social relations. The intervention was smartphone-based and included training in monitoring plus approval, monitoring only, and active control in the present moment and acceptance. There were 153 randomly assigned subjects to 14 different smartphone devices, and the intervention was conducted for three days before and after the intervention. Ambulatory measurements of loneliness and daily social contact were obtained. The results showed a 22% percent decrease in loneliness in monitoring plus acceptance compared to monitor only and control training; moreover, it increased two or more interactions each day and one more personal interaction compared to the active-only and monitoring-only groups [20].
As seen by the results, both meditation skills help improve social contact with people and decrease loneliness, which might help improve overall mental health. This study also makes us question if social contact increases with meditation; it might also have a positive effect on problems like social anxiety disorder. It is believed that social anxiety disorder results from negative self-belief, emotional disturbances, and attention biases about yourself [21]. Does meditation affect social anxiety disorder? A study was conducted in which 16 participants were included, and functional MRI scans were obtained while reacting to negative self-belief and also performing a mindful breath-focused emotional regulation. Fourteen participants finished the study, and the results showed that conscious attention led to reduced amygdala activity; decreased anxiety, depression symptoms, and self-esteem; and decreased negative
symptoms [21]. It is seen that mental aberrations are something that can be balanced through meditative practices.
Given the above, we can say that meditation has been helpful in various mental disorders; when discussing mental disorders, 7-8% of the people in the united states have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and they have residual symptoms following the trauma that needs to be treated. It has been seen that meditation and yoga practices have been effective in alleviating those symptoms [22]. If you look at meditation practices on a broader spectrum, it appears as if meditative practices have an overall positive impact on our health. It affects different aspects, including immunology, genetics, and physical and mental health, as discussed. Its effect on the body should be addressed and investigated in greater detail to see if its impact on a disease is good enough to incorporate it as an adjunct to the standard treatment. The problem in such practices could be in their application of how someone meditates and how much effect it has on the disease; moreover, the experiments might also require an increased sample size to come to a suitable conclusion. The illness that can be tested is also limited; on the whole, more studies with more diverse diseases should be done to conclude their efficacy and their certainty for it to be established clinically. Figure 2 below shows the aspects of mental health influenced by meditation.
Theories and Management of Aging: Modern and Ayurveda Perspectives
Aging is a complex phenomenon, a sum total of changes that occur in a living organism with the passage of time and lead to decreasing ability to survive stress, increasing functional impairment and growing probability of death. There are many theories of aging and skin remains the largest organ of the study. Skin aging is described as a consequence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The most common amongst visible signs of skin aging are wrinkles and there are various therapies including antiaging cosmeceuticals, sunscreens, chemical peeling, injectable agents, such as botox, fibrel, autologous fat grafting as also few surgical
procedures have been used. Ayurveda, the Indian traditional medicine, describes aging with great details. This review provides modern and Ayurvedic perspectives on theories and management of aging.
1. Introduction
Aging is a universal process that probably began with the origin of life. Accumulation of the diverse deleterious changes produced by aging throughout the cells and tissues progressively impairs function and can eventually cause death. Aging changes can be attributed to development, genetic defects, the environment, disease and an inborn process—the aging process [1]. The aging of the world's population has profound implications for medical care and health care systems. According to the United Nations, the number of people worldwide aged 60 years or older will increase from 1 in 10 currently to 1 in 5 by 2050. By 2050, the ratio of people aged 65 years or older to those aged 15–64 years will double in developed nations and triple in developing nations. This demographic shift compels us to confront the changes associated with aging and the various antiaging therapies [2].
2. Theories of Aging
2.1. Modern Perspective
Aging is complex phenomena generally defined by gerontologists as a process that results in an age-related increase of death rate or failure rate. Biologists define aging as the sum total of all changes that occur in a living organism with the passage of time and lead to a decreasing ability to survive stress, functional impairment and death [3]. The most common theories include Mutation Accumulation and Antagonistic Pleiotropy theory, the two theories posit that aging is due to pleiotropic genes with beneficial early-life effects but deleterious late-life effects (antagonistic pleiotropy) or mutations with purely deleterious late-life effects (mutation accumulation) [4].
Reliability theory consists of a body of ideas, mathematical models and methods directed to predict, estimate, understand and optimize the life span distribution of systems and their components [5]. Programmatic Theory states that aging is a preordained process due to an inherent genetic program, played out at a rate characteristic of each species, this theory takes in consideration aging genes, cellular senescence, telomere shortening, failure of apoptosis and longevity genes [6]. Stochastic Theory, which states that random cumulative environmental damage to genes and proteins produces aging and homeostatic failure, takes in consideration oxidative stress (free radical damage), amino acid racemization and nonenzymatic glycolysation [7]. Other theories, such as Random Chemical Damage and Information Transfer theories [8] are based around the idea of genetic damage and impaired information transfer. Double-Agent theory is a new, unifying synthesis which argues that there is a tradeoffs between oxidative stress as a critical redo signal that marshals genetic defenses against physiological stress and oxidative stress as a cause of aging [9].
2.2. Ayurvedic Perspective
Aging is known as “Jara" defined as that which has become old by the act of wearing out “jiryati iti jara”. It is synonymed as “vardhakya” meaning increasing age [10]. Ayurveda divides human life into—childhood (up to the age 16 years); youth and middle age [from 16 to 60 years (charaka) or 70 years (sushruta) and exhibits progressively the traits of growth (vivardhamana, 16–20 years of age), youth (youvana, 20–30 years), maturity (sampoornata, 30–40 years), deterioration (parihani, 40 years onwards) which gradually sets in up to 60 years]; old age, wherein after 60–70 years the body elements, sense organs, strength, and so forth. begin to decay [11].
While describing aging, Ayurveda takes in consideration Prana (life energy that performs respiration, oxygenation and circulation). It governs two other subtle essence ojas and tejas. Ojas (the essence of the seven dhatus or bodily tissues) is responsible for the auto-immune system and mental intelligence, it is necessary for longevity. Displaced ojas creates the kapha-related disorders and decreased ojas creates vata-related reactions. Tejas (the essence of a very subtle fire or energy) governs metabolism through the enzyme system. Agni(central fire or energy source in the body) promotes digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. Tejas is necessary for the nourishing and transformation of each dhatu. Aggravated tejas, burns away ojas reducing immunity and overstimulating pranic activity. Aggravated prana produces degenerative disorders in the dhatus. Lack of tejas results in over production of unhealthy tissue and obstructs the flow of pranic energy. Just as it is essential to maintain balance amongst the tridosha—vata, pitta, kapha principles of motion, metabolism, structure, respectively, the dhatus and the three malas (bodily wastes); it is also important for longevity that prana, ojas and tejas remain in balance. The tridosha play a very important role in the maintenance of cellular health and longevity. Kapha maintains longevity on the cellular level. Pitta governs digestion and nutrition. Vata, which is closely related to pranic life energy, governs all life functions. Proper diet, exercise and lifestyle can create a balance among these three subtle essences, ensuring long life [12].
3. Skin Aging
Skin aging is a complex process determined by the genetic endowment of the individual and the environmental factors [13]. The most obvious signs of aging skin are atrophy, laxity, wrinkling, sagging, dryness, a multiplicity of pigmented other blemishes and sparse gray hair [14]. Symptoms of chronological aging include dry and thin skin, fine wrinkles, abnormal blood vessels, age spots, benign and malignant skin tumors due to the deterioration of the skins immune system. Intrinsic skin aging is determined primarily by genetic factors and hormonal status. Photo aging is a separate process and largely involves damage to the collagen and the elastin fibers in the skin. The deleterious effects of solar radiation on dermal connective tissue leads to visible manifestations of photo aging termed as premature aging. The UVB rays directly interact with the DNA of the cutaneous cells where as the deleterious effects of UVA are principally due to the formation of free radical oxygen, which result in an alteration in the nuclear and also mitochondrial DNA and also an activation of enzymes, metalloprotenase, capable of damaging the extra cellular matrix [15, 16].
In Ayurveda, Charaka has described twak (skin) in six layers, he has named the first two as udakadara (bahyatwak) and astrikdhara and has not named the remaining four layers. Sushruta has described the same in seven layers viz. avabhasini, lohita, shweta, tamra, vedini, rohini and mamsadhara. Avabhasini, the outermost layer, reflects the complexion and the quality of the Rasa Dhatu (nutrient fluid, the first of the seven tissues of the body). It also acts as a mirror as it indicates whether the physiology as a whole is balanced or imbalanced, and whether there is inner health or disorder; it also reflects the aura of the individual. Mamsadhara is the innermost layer is the platform for the skin's stability and firmness. When this layer is in balance, the skin looks young and supple. A skin product that has a vayasthapana (antiaging) effect nourishes this layer to help retard the aging process. Vataskin which is dry, thin, fine pored, delicate and cool to touch tends to develop wrinkles earlier than the other skin types. Pitta skin which is fair, soft, warm and medium thickness is photosensitive and has least tolerance to sun and is most likely to accumulate sun damage over the years. Kapha skin which is thick, oily, soft and cool to touch tends to develop wrinkles much later in life than Vata or Pitta type but because of its thickness and oiliness, is more prone to accumulate ama (toxins) under the skin [17, 18].
4. Wrinkles
Wrinkles are result of dermal-hypodermal junction and shrinking of the superficial muscles, which have their points of insertion at the dermi. With reduction in muscle mass, skin thickness, diminished elasticity of dermal collagen and elastin and drying of the stratum corneum, the resulting behavioral change observed in the skin is loss of mechanical strength and viscoelasticity. Development of fine wrinkles begins to take place at the age of 30s, reaching a peak in 40s but tending to rather decrease from the 60s and over, deep wrinkles are considered to be increasing in the 50s. Wrinkles are formed and promoted by both internal and external factors. Internal factors include aging, changes in the endocrine system and nerve system and hereditary factors. External factors include exposure to UV rays and the oxidation or drying associated with UV exposure [19].
5. Antiaging Approaches
The human skin loses its antioxidation ability with age, by exposure to the surrounding environment for a considerable period of time, and the skin undergoes emaciation as a result of the formation of peroxylipids. Wrinkles are considered to appear as an outcome of this emaciation. Hence use of products, which enhance antioxidation, should be taken into consideration. Even brief exposure to UV radiation increases the activity of enzymes that break down the proteins collagen and elastin that provide structural support for the skin, thus pretreatment of skin with creams containing actives that can reduce the activation of these enzymes is recommended. Use of sunscreens, which minimize the harmful effects of solar radiation is also advisable [20–22].
6. Antiaging Therapies
6.1. Topical Agents
Various topical application products that delay and/or reverse visible signs of aging are termed as antiaging cosmeceuticals; the active ingredients that are most commonly used in such products include Vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) and essential fatty acids (EFAs). Retinoids are used in topical treatment of photo-aged skin, as it appears to increase the rate of cell division and improves wrinkling, coarseness, hyper pigmentation and roughness associated with over exposure to the sun. It repairs photoaged skin by inhibiting collagenase and improving dermal vasculature, while also stimulating new collagen deposition, it promotes the down growth of rate ridges, restoring the undulating dermo-epidermal interphase and improves the skin's water barrier properties [23]. Hyaluronic acid helps to keep the surface of the skin hydrated, supple and less prone to wrinkling; when used in cosmeceutical products it forms an undetectable transparent film. Restylane (hyaluronic acid), an injectable gel that acts as a filler to remove the wrinkle is used which binds to the water and provides volume to fill in larger folds of skin [24]. AHAs, BHAs can cause increased skin thickness, improvement in skin elasticity and increased collagen content and glycosaminoglycans. AHAs (ascorbic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid and tartaric acid) and the BHAs (salicylic acid and pyruvic acid) are used in cosmetic products [25]. Vitamin C can accelerate wound healing; it is a potent antioxidant that protects fatty tissues from oxidation damage and play an integral role in elastin and collagen synthesis. It is capable of controlling inflammatory responses associated with UV exposure. Vitamin E has significant moisturizing properties, anti-inflammatory effects and may provide protection from UV damages. It acts as an antioxidant and inhibits the formation of lipid peroxides and thus prevents skin aging. It is known to improve decreased function of the sebaceous gland and ameliorate excessive pigmentation in the skin [26]. Other topical antioxidants include leaf wax of Eucalyptus and Prunus, the seeds of black rice, leaves of barley, sesame seeds, rosemary green tea, turmeric, beta-carotene, coral extracts, aloe, and so forth. Natural antioxidants include flavonoids (anthocyanins; red grapes, blueberries, strawberries, red cabbage), quercetin (onions, apple skins, berries, broccoli), catechins (green tea, cacao), isoflavones (soybeans), carotenoids (carrots, sweet peppers, oranges), lycopene (tomatoes), oligomeric proanthocyanidins or procyanidins (grape seed extract). EFAs are building blocks of cellular membranes which allow efficient transportation of nutrients from the extracellular space into the intracellular environment where metabolism takes place. Rosehip seed oil (Rosa Mosqueta) which is high in EFAs smoothes wrinkles by hydrating the skin and slows new signs of aging. Estrogen topical application shows improvement in skin elasticity and firmness, increase in skin moisture and collagen synthesis and decrease in wrinkle depth. Lipoic acid is a potent scavenger with anti-inflammatory properties, it has beneficial effects on photo-aged skin [27, 28].
Sunscreens are of two types: chemical sunblocks, such as PABA, PABA esters, benzophenones, salicylates and anthranilates contain molecules that mainly absorb the UVB radiation, while physical sunblocks, such as titanium dioxide, magnesium silicate, zinc oxide, red petrolatum and kaolin place a coating on the skin that reflects the light. UVA exposure can produce elastic tissue damage, actinic skin damage and contribute to the formation of skin cancer. The only sunscreen agents that can completely block both the UVB and UVA wavelengths are physical or opaque sunblocks [29]. Chemical peeling is a safe and efficient treatment for moderate facial skin aging; in this treatment, chemicals remove layers of skin which results in smoother texture less evident fine wrinkles and evident lightening of hyperpigmentations. Commonly used peeling agent is glycolic acid and pyruvic acid [30].
6.2. Injectable Agents
Botox is a neuromuscular blocking agent produced by Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin type A, when injected in hyperactive corrugator superciliaries or procerus muscles of the face that controls frowning, it produces a transient localized muscle weakness resulting in temporary improvement in frown lines. The application of injectable chemodenervation with botulinum toxin type A has become a useful and significant tool for facial rejuvenation [31]. Bovine collagen implant is used for cosmetic purposes, principally on the face to diminish wrinkles, such as glabellar creases and prominent nasolabial folds. Indeed, correction with all forms of bovine collagen appears to be lost as the material is displaced in the human from its site of implantation in the dermis into the subcutaneous space [32]. Fibrel is composed of porcine gelatin powder and epsilon—amino caproic acid that is reconstituted with the patient's plasma and 0.9% sodium chloride. Fibrel works by creating a clot that becomes colonized by host collagen. This technique has shown good long-term persistent results of correction (2–5 years) in treated individuals [33]. Autologous fat grafting is a standard method for soft tissue augmentation; used for volume restoration of the aging phase in which following liposuction the harvested fat is reinjected immediately. Fat is the ideal filler because it is natural, nonallergenic and readily available [34].
6.3. Surgical Procedures
Cutaneous surgery is performed to treat visible signs of aging in extremely elderly patients and is well tolerated ensuring comfort and safety even in the oldest patients [35]. Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that can be accomplished with a small incision and can restore a youthful appearance to the aging face. Laser-assisted blepharoplasty is a further simplified technique [36]. Dermabrasion surgically abrades or planes the epidermis and dermis with the use of a rapidly rotating wire brush or diamond fraise followed by wound healing which allows re-epithelialization to occur from the underlying adnexal structures. During the maturation phase of wound healing, fibroblasts replace and remodel collagen bundles in the papillary and upper reticular dermis and results in smoothing out fine wrinkles [37].
6.4. Ayurveda and Skin Health
According to Ayurveda, a number of factors determine skin health and youthfulness, and these include proper moisture balance (Kapha in balance), effective functioning of the metabolic mechanisms that coordinate all the various chemical and hormonal reactions of the skin (Pitta in balance), and efficient circulation of blood and nutrients to the different layers of the skin (Vata in balance). The health of the following three types of body tissue are especially reflected in the skin: nutritional fluid (Rasa), blood (Rakta) and muscle (Mamsa). To be effective, an antiaging application has to provide support to all of these areas.
Antiaging treatment includes two types of therapies Urjaskara (promotive) and Vyadhihara(curative). For vata skin to stay youthful skin care products that can nourish and rehydrate the skin should be used otherwise it may be susceptible to wrinkles and premature aging. Warm oil self-massage and all natural moisturizers may help. For pitta skin good sunscreens for protection from the sun, good facial skin oils should be used daily. Tanning treatments and therapies that expose delicate sensitive skin for extended periods of time to steam/heat should be avoided. For kapha skin a daily warm oil massage and cleansing of skin with gentle exfoliant should be done.
6.5. Rejuvenation Therapy
Ayurveda describes several processes to address control and prevention of aging. Pancha Karma is one of the popular rejuvenation and detoxification process that consists of three stages including Purva Karma (pretreatment), Pradhana Karma (primary treatment) and Paschat Karma (posttreatment). Snehana (oleation) and Swedana (sudation) are the two Purva Karma procedures. The four Pradhan Karma include Vamana (medical emesis), Virechana (purgation), Nasya (nasal administration), Basti (enema). A school of thought from Sushruta also considers Raktamokshana (bloodletting) as one of the Pancha Karma. Paschat Karma (posttreatment) mainly deals with Ahar (diet) regimens, Vihar (exercise) and use of health-promoting Rasayana and other medicines.
There have been few studies indicating physiological benefits to Panchakarma. Ayurveda describes various rejuvenative therapies with help of special class of medicinal preparations called Rasayana that are believed to rebuild the body, mind, prevent degeneration and postpone aging or rather reverse the aging process. Charaka has described two methods of rejuvenation, the first method—intramural (kutipravesika) required the subject to remain inside a chamber in isolation and second method which was less rigorous and was carried out in open air—extramural (vatatapika). The intramural method is suitable for healthy, self-controlled, wise, strong and affluent persons whereas extramural method is advisable for others. In intramural method, a special cottage is constructed on an auspicious land facing east or north, it is safe and supplied with all the necessary articles for treatment and the procedure is started on an auspicious day. In extramural therapy, its basically the use of various medicinal plant formulations [38–42]. According to Ayurveda, the practice of yoga, which is a disciplined science of life, is a very important, natural, preventive measure to ensure good health [43, 44].
7. Conclusion
While there are various theories and approaches to management of aging, the traditional knowledge remains important both in understanding the process and effective management. Several interventions have been tried for treatments of various conditions primarily arising as a result of aging. Since aging process has been experienced by human beings for several generations, the traditional knowledge from various parts of the world provide easy, natural and holistic ways for healthy aging. Ayurveda, the great Indian tradition also offers conceptual framework on various theories and concepts of aging process. Ayurveda also offers time tested therapies for healthy aging. With the vast information available in Ayurvedic literature on aging and skin care, one can explore the possibilities of developing new antiaging or antiwrinkle treatments with the natural ingredients for topical applications. Few pharmaceutical companies have used Ayurvedic knowledge for developing skin toning, fairness creams or sun tan lotions. There are antiwrinkle formulations available in market containing Shorea robusta resins. However, more systematic scientific studies to establish the safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic therapies in both rejuvenation and detoxification procedures are needed. Thus, this review may be interesting to modern scientists to understand different approaches and processes that may be useful to progress research on promotive, preventive and therapeutic interventions generally on various degenerating conditions and aging.