Re-Aligning the focus on Ayurveda through Epigenetics

Introduction

Ayurveda, the science of life, evolved from the quest of man to have a happy and healthy life, through a deep understanding of evolution, creation and its maintenance, perceived and conceived by the rishi’s of ancient India. ‘Ayu’ or life is defined as a manifestation of union of Shareera(body), Indriya(sensorium), Satwa(mind) and Atma(soul)¹ , those are integral and interdependent components of life. The main aim of Ayurveda is ‘Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam Aaturasya Vikara Prashamanam’² i.e, to maintain the health of a healthy and to cure the disease of a diseased. The complete science of Ayurveda has been told in a nutshell of Trisutra^[3] – Hetu(causes), Linga(signs and symptoms) and Aushadha(treatment) for both Swastha(healthy) and Aatura(diseased). The Hetus responsible for Swastha(healthy) are Samyak Prayoga of Aahara, Vihara, Aachara and Vichara; Its Asamyak Prayoga leads to Vikara which can be categorized under Asatmendriyartha Samyoga, Pragnaparadha and Parinama⁴ . Linga is signs and symptoms of the Swastha and Aatura which is the consequence of Hetu. Chikitsa is the treatment procedure which includes Samshodhana, Samshamana and Pathya5 (in terms of Aahara, Vihara, Aachara and Vichara). There is elaborate explanation of how to live, what to do and what not to do – physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually. These factors itself decide the health and disease condition of a person. The actual conventional way of understanding the action of these factors is through Guna, Dosha, Dhatvadi components and lastly with the Panchamahabhuta Siddanta. But for the global acceptance we should have a contemporary view of understanding, the recent emerging science of Epigenetics can be used to understand these Principles. In this study various Samhitas, research journals and contemporary text books have been reviewed and an attempt is made to revalidate the principles of Ayurveda by re-aligning the focus on Ayurveda through Epigenetics.

Genome and Epigenome

The science of Epigenetics literally means “control above genetics”, there was a conventional belief that the genes control our life which was disproved by human genome project by discovering 25,000 genes in human body, whereas the expectation for a human being is 12,000 genes (Pennisi 2003a and 2003b; Pearson 2003; Goodman 2003)^6,7,8,9 and an observation in an experiment stated that even after enucleating the cells, they survived for few days without genes which disproves the central dogma of molecular biology concluding that genes doesn’t control human life. In the last decade, epigenetic research has established that DNA blueprints passed down through genes are not set in concrete at birth. Genes are not destiny! Environmental influences, including nutrition, stress, and emotions, Can modify those genes without changing their basic blueprint. And those modifications, epigenetics have discovered, can be passed on to future generations as surely as DNA blueprints are passed on via the double helix. (Reik and Walter 2001; Surani2001)^10,11

Epigenetics describes the dynamic relationship between the environment and gene expression. Epigenetics refers to how gene expression is regulated on the level of the chromosomes, and what part of the DNA is open for reading (transcription) to produce proteins (translation). It refers to external modifications to the DNA that regulates the gene expression. These modifications do not change the DNA sequence, but controls the gene expression. Epigenetic changes are carried out by DNA methylation and the interaction of DNA and proteins called histones. DNA methylation refers to the addition of a methyl group (CH3) to the cytosine nucleotides in the DNA strand itself. DNA methylation patterns are passed on from parents to child and are vital to human growth and development, enabling a single cell to grow into a complex multicellular organism made of different tissues and organs. However, methylation can result in the inappropriate silencing of genes such as tumor suppressor genes^12,13. A chromatin remodeling complex an epigenetic gene silencer cooperates in transcriptional repression of target genes by altering chromatin structure. Histones are proteins that compact the genome (DNA) into a large nucleoprotein complex known as chromatin. For accessibility of DNA for processes such as replication, transcription, repair and recombination, interaction between histones and DNA is required. It represents an important regulatory factor for processes that require direct access to the DNA. In this way, histones regulate the way DNA expresses itself, which is part of the epigenetic mechanism. In brief epigenetic mechanism includes DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling.

Environment and Ayurveda

Epigenetics deals with virtually everything that happens, leading to the genes expressed in the phenotype during stages of the lifespan, for example, prenatal, postnatal, childhood, lifetime social experiences, diet, nutrition, exposure to toxins, lifestyle, behavior, stress and environment, and how these impact the expression of genes^14-20. The phenotypic expression differs in each individual depending on which part of the DNA (genes) is being expressed, based on past exposures, experiences and impressions, knowledge of which is embedded in the genes in the form of these epigenetic modifications. The phenotype is dynamic and always changing. If the proper principles are not followed, alterations in health occur and disease manifests. These principles which are to be followed are addressed in detail in Ayurveda in the context of Maturaaharavihara, Sadvritta, Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Na Vegandharaneeya and Matrashiteeya etc. These principles are very important in the prevention of diseases and promotion of health.

Note: The proper diet, nutrition, lifestyle and behavior described in Ayurveda are explained below which will cause favorable epigenetic changes if followed appropriately according to the constitution (Prakruti) of the individual.

Matrija ahara-vihara and Shad Garbhakara Bhavas²¹: Ayurvedic approach towards motherhood that is pregnancy and childbirth is a holistic one which includes proper diet, behavior, activities and spiritual actions. For obtaining the healthy progeny six procreative factors (Shadgarbhakarabhavas) are explained such as Matrija(maternal), Pitrija(paternal), Atmaja(soul), Rasaja(nutritional), Satmyaja(wholesomeness) and Satvaja bhava(psych/mind). The conglomarance of these procreative factors is a must for healthy offspring.Healthy mother, father (good code of conduct), practice of a wholesome regimen and a healthy mind play a prime role in achieving beneficial epigenetics in the offspring.

The concept of Ahara: Ahara is the best of all medicines and is considered one among the three sub-pillars in Ayurveda (Thrayo-Upasthamba)²². Ayurveda emphasizes basic dietary guidelines in terms of appropriate food, combinations of food, methods of cooking, storage, eating atmosphere, hygiene and etiquette (Ashtavidha Ahara Vidhi Visesha Ayatana)²³

Ayurvedic dietary guidelines:

• Intake of food in time (Kale Bhojana).

• Food intake as per suitability (Satmya Bhojana)

• Food intake as per the Prakruthi of individual (Hita Bhojana)

• Proper hygiene (Suchi Bhojana)

• Intake of food which is unctuous (Snigdha Bhojana)

• Intake of food which is warm (Ushna Bhojana)

• Intake of food which is easy to digest (Laghu Bhojana)

• Eat while there is interest to food and while eating concentrate on food and the process of eating (Tan Mana Bhujita)

• Eat food with six taste components (SadRasayukta Ahara)

• Food should be primarily sweet in nature (Madhura Praya)

• Food should be ingested calmly, neither too slow nor too fast (Na Ati Druta Vilambita)

• After bathing (Snatah)

• Food intake only when there is sufficient hunger (Kshudvan)

• Proper washing of hand, feet and face should be done before food intake (Dhauta Pada-KaraAnana)

• After offering prayers and paying obeisance to gods and forefathers (Pithru -Deva Tarpana)

• After offering food to guests, teachers and chidren ( Atithi- Balaka-guru Tarpana)

• Without disgracing food (Anindan Bhunjaana)

• Silently (Mouna)

Concept of Vihara (Lifestyle) in Ayurveda: The description about Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Sadvritta and Nidra in Ayurveda clearly depicts the importance of a healthy regimen in the prevention and management of many diseases. A growing body of scientific evidence has demonstrated that lifestyle intervention is an essential component in the treatment of chronic disease that can be as effective as medication but considered to be safe without risks and side effects ^[24]. A lifestyle is a characteristic bundle of behaviors that makes sense to both others and oneself in a given time and place, including social relations consumption, entertainment and dress²⁵.

Dinacharya (Daily regimen)²⁶: One has to regularly follow Dinacharya to have a healthy and desired life which includes Brahma Muhurta utthana (waking up preferably between 4.00 a.m. to 5.30 a.m.), Achamana (Splashing cold water on face), Shoucha karma(evacuating bowels), Danta dhavana (brushing teeth), Jihva nirlekhana (scraping of tongue), Gandusha-kavala(oil pulling), anjana (collyrium), Dhumapana (medicated smoking), Nasya(nasal drops), Abhyanga(oil massage), Udvartana(powder massage), Snana (Bathing) etc. these regimen helps to maintain the hygiene, strengthens the body, promotes the health and longevity, keeps the mind at peace and harmony.

Ritucharya (Seasonal regimen)²⁷: Ayurveda promotes a lifestyle that’s in harmony with nature. In Ayurvedic classics, there has been a thorough consideration for seasons, besides the dietetic-regimens for days and nights. Whole year is divided into six seasons and detailed dietetic regimen for these seasons is prescribed.

Sadvritta (Ethical Regimen)²⁸: Rules of good conduct: Ayurveda prescribes certain rules for maintaining balance and harmony of the mind. These are principles of right conduct that can be categorized into Ethical codes of conduct (Vyavaharika Sadvritta), Social codes of conduct (Samajika Sadvritta), Mental codes of conduct(Manasika Sadvritta), Moral codes of conduct (Dharmika Sadvritta), Physical codes of conduct (Sharirika Sadvritta). Few of these principles are as follows

• Always speak the truth.

• Do not lose your temper under any circumstances.

• Do not get addicted to sensory pleasures.

• Do not harm anyone.

• As far as possible, do not expose yourself to hardships.

• Try to control your passions.

• Endeavor to speak pleasant and sweet words.

• Meditate every day for tranquility of mind.

• Observe cleanliness in all things.

• Be patient.

• Observe self-control.

• Try to distribute knowledge, good advice and help to others.

• Whenever possible, devote ones services to God, to the wise and to respectable or elderly individuals.

• Be straightforward and kind.

• Avoid irregularity in daily activities.

• Avoid over eating, overdrinking, too much sexual activity, too much or too little sleep.

• Behave according to the time and place where one is residing.

• Act always in a courteous and polite manner.

• Control the sense organs.

• Make a habit of doing all that is good and avoiding all that is bad.

Dharaniya & Adharaniya vega²⁹ (Preventive Regimens): Observations of certain prescriptions and prohibitions given in Ayurveda ensure physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Suppressible Urges (Dharniya vega): One should suppress urges of greed, grief, fear, fury, pride, shamelessness, envy and excessive passion.

Non-Suppressible Urges (Adharniya vega): There are thirteen natural urges- Suppression of urge for urination, urge for passing stool, Suppression of flatus, Suppression of ejaculation of semen, Suppression of vomiting, Suppression of sneezing, Suppression of eructation, Suppression of yawning, Suppression of hunger and thirst, Suppression of tears, Suppression of exertion induced respiration, Suppression of sleep which is the cause for many diseases.

Discussion

After reading the list of regimens in terms of do’s and don’ts, the common question that arises is how this will affect an individual? Even in the context of disease, etiological factors explained are mainly of Ahara (diet), Vihara (lifestyle), Manasika Nidana (psychological factors) and others like Agantuja Nidana(external factors), Karma etc. which one fails to relate in modern terms, to understand the mode of action of these factors in contemporary view, mechanism of epigenetics is discussed in question answer pattern below.

1.What is the environment which is responsible for Epigenetics?

Environmental influences can be broadly included under Ahara(wholesome food), Vihara (wholesome activities) and Sadvritta/achara-vichara(Rules of good conduct) which covers diet, nutrition, lifestyle, behavior and emotions. Food is more than fuel or substrate, Human body and psychology develops not just by assimilating nutrients from food but also depends on the kind of food in terms of quality, method of cooking, eating atmosphere and etiquette. In epigenetics of lifestyle, several contributors provide a comprehensive view of how various facets of lifestyle including daily, seasonal, ethical, preventive regimens and social interactions affect chromatin resulting in profound and long-lasting changes in gene function. Practicing the Sadvritta constantly brings inner peace and happiness and violating them makes a person angry and agitated. These behaviors affect health on the physical level through the release of neuropeptides. The preventive and curative aspects of Ayurveda revolve around the central theme of Pathya Ahara-Vihara and Sadvritta.

2.What are the empirical evidences to show the relation between environment and epigenetics?

Matrija ahara-vihara and Shad Garbhakara Bhavas - Epigenetic factors can be passed down from generation to generation but also; epigenetics is responsible for the little things that make us all unique. It has been stated many times throughout the medical world that 95% of disease are not inherited. This means the diet and lifestyle choices made by the mother and father has direct impact on the epigenetics of the offspring. For example, one study shows that mice that are predisposed genetically to cardiac and diabetic disorders can give off normal offspring when they are fed the proper diet. In short, epigenetic factors, proper use of the senses, can supersede genetic factors^30,6. The concept of Ahara - Ayurveda has developed the wisdom of dietetics on the basis of various natural perceptions at different levels of our sensorium. An emerging area of scientific research called nutritional epigenetics³¹ focuses on how food functions as an ‘epigenetic’ factor in the regulation of gene expression. An animal study using the obese Berlin fat mouse inbred line and the lean C57BL/6NCrl line of Mus musculus examined the methylation status and expression levels of the melanocortin-4 receptor (Mc4r) gene, which plays an important role in body weight regulation, in response to a standard and a high-fat diet. With the standard diet, the methylation status did not differ between the lines. With the high-fat diet, methylation of the CpGs near the transcription start site was decreased in both lines. The results suggest that a high-fat diet might affect the methylation status of the Mc4r gene^32,33. In short, individual nutrients and bioactive food components or total diet can change DNA methylation and subsequently alter gene expression. These epigenetic changes may affect physiologic and pathologic processes in our body. Concept of Vihara (Lifestyle) - Epigenetics is everywhere. Everything we eat, touch, smell, hear, or feel can cause chemical modification in our body altering our genes. Even how we sleep, how we exercise and how we age will affect how our body transcribes the genes. Certain diseases are brought on by a malfunction of genes from a healthy state to a disease state. According S.L. Martin, genes regulate 25% of longevity, whereas 75% is determined by lifestyle factors such as sleep habits, alcohol beverage consumption, stress levels, exercise, and diet ^[34]. Dinacharya (Daily regimen) and Ritucharya (Seasonal regimen) - All the regimens told in Dinacharya and Ritucharya will keep the body free of diseases when followed appropriately. If these natural rhythms are allowed to fall by the wayside, change in our body chemistry can be seen. A study done on shift workers indicates their circadian rhythm disruption and its link with breast cancer. This study pointed out that as our circadian rhythms get more and more out of kilter with nature, there is an increasing likelihood that certain genes will have the ability to mutate into cancer causing cells ^[35]. Sadvritta (Ethical Regimen) basically, a lifestyle of an individual is the outcome or composed of physical traits, capacity, habits, dietary style, living condition, psychological functions, likes and dislikes, etc. Many of these traits are observed / nurtured from the parent, siblings and the surroundings. Thus, it involves a pure psychological and innate control over the physical and sensory activities. When this initiation, control, and co-ordination are disturbed, it leads to the derangement of lifestyle and results in disease ^[36]. Dharniya & Adharniya vega Habit of not suppressing the negative emotions and suppression of any natural urge is a result of Prajnaparadha and enlisted as a cause of nearly 50% of the diseases. Negative emotions release neurochemicals that strain and damage the organs, whereas positive emotions release health-promoting chemicals ^[37]. Reversal of any neurotransmission or improper removal of the waste products formed during metabolism leading to accumulation of toxins is the basic cause of a disease.

3.How the environment is responsible for Epigenetics?

The signal from the surface sends information in, that controls the behavior of the cell and if one doesn’t have the right proteins in the cell, then the signal goes to the nucleus where there is DNA blueprints and then the blueprint is used to make the protein and causes that DNA to be read so that the protein required is created. The receptors (sense organs) that one sees the world with are just the same as of the cell. They’re on the outside, reading the signals, and when one reads the signal; one adjusts his biology to the signal! That’s how it works. Transduction – means converting a signal from one language to another language. Converting environmental signals into biological signals is signal transduction ^[38]. On observing the signal transduction pathways, some of them show the inputs coming out the surface into the nucleus and in the nucleus are chromosomes and it activates the genes and that controls the behavior and the genetic activity.

4.If environment decides the health and diseased condition, then why not everyone present in the same environment will not respond in the same way?

Because of perception, it varies from person to person. Environment has the signals, the nervous system; the brain picks up the signals in a process called perception! ^[39]. that’s how one perceives the world! And after perception, that information goes and is handled by the processing of one’s Mind. Mind creates a story about what’s happening and then responding to the perception causes the release of the chemistry and that chemistry controls the behavior and genetics of the cells in turn of the individual.

5.Why the perception will vary from person to person?

Perception of the individual depends on the memory encoded in an individual due to the karma which has been already done. Memory is mainly of two types – Explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory is the conscious, intentional recollection of factual information, previous experiences and concepts. Implicit memory is subconscious, unintentional form of memory stored (procedural memory imprinted during peri-natal and childhood period). The prefrontal cortex is the consciousness spot, this is the spot connected to ones identity, ones uniqueness, creativity. Most people don’t exercise consciousness in their lives; they actually operate from the subconscious. The conscious mind process is 40bits of data per second, meaning 40 nerve impulses come into the conscious mind and at one second it can solve it – it’s relatively slow, but it’s creative as compared to the rest of the brain, which was there before this part, which now constitutes the subconscious. It processes 40 million bits of data per second ^[40]; the other one was 40 so the subconscious can process a million times more data – it’s extremely fast! That’s why one doesn’t use conscious thinking in an emergency – it’s too slow, one goes to reflex behavior, but it’s habitual. Whatever got in one’s subconscious, he learned it, he doesn’t thinks about it – he doesn’t even see it!

6.What is karma?

Generally the word Karma is applied for any action or process or mechanism which is finished with an outcome. Karma is of two types i.e, Daiva and Purusakara^[41]. Daiva is actions of previous life and Purusakara is the actions of present life. Precedence by one or the other depends upon their relative strength. We are not tied to fatalism. Indeed, humanity is somewhat of a paradoxical continuum whereby the past is not who we are rather the past lives within us and we are who we cultivate ourselves to be. There is karmic fate that can be understood as a force generated by action or a distinguishing emanation which comes from bidirectional compellation of nature (genome) and nurture (epigenome) within the complexity of the human being. Paramahamsa Yogananda have put it differently and said that DNA is the physical manifestation of one’s Karma ^[42]. In other words we have genetic material that best fits the Karma which needs to be worked out in this particular life time (Purusakara). Karma of an individual can effect in two ways, one is it creates the environment and situations etc based on the type of Karma done in previous life, other is the way of perception of the environment, behavior and tendencies of the individual which can be altered if one has the will to do, whereas the situations around is not always in our control.

Conclusion

Epigenetics can be defined as somatically heritable states of gene expression resulting from changes in chromatin structure without alterations in the DNA sequence, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. How one lives the life, what one eats, the way one perceives, the action one takes and the environment one puts himself in, can have a direct effect on one’s genes through the epigenetic processes. Research begins to prove what ancient texts taught for centuries. Ahara, Vihara and Sadvritta (acharavichara) which is addressed in detail in Ayurveda forms the chief foundation up on which life of an individual is founded. Karma is the result of one’s own past actions and present doings. Any action is a seed that will sprout into an appropriate result when met with right conditions, be that “good” or “bad”. So by doing an appropriate action one can have a happy and healthy life for which every human being strives. We are here on this planet to optimize the expression of our genes in a way that supports evolution and growth both individually and collectively. If we follow Swasthavritta properly we can change the expression of our genes in a positive way there by promoting optimal health and preventing the diseases especially lifestyle disorders. The mode of action of the principles like Ahara, Vihara, Dinacharya, Ritucharya, Sadvritta, Dharniya & Adharniya vegas etc can be understood in a contemporary view by re-aligning the focus on Ayurveda through Epigenetics.