Isha yoga practices, vegan diet, and participation in Samyama meditation retreat: impact on the gut microbiome & metabolome - a non-randomized trial.
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies April 5, 2023 Maitreyi Raman, Ramana V. Vishnubhotla, Hena R Ramay et al. 25 citations
Participation in an advanced meditation program (Samyama) combined with a vegan diet including 50% raw foods was associated with changes in gut microbiome composition and metabolite profiles. In 288 subjects, beta diversity of gut bacteria shifted significantly after the program in meditators compared to household controls, while alpha diversity did not differ. After a two-month preparation phase involving daily yoga and meditation, meditators showed higher levels of the branched short-chain fatty acids iso-valerate and iso-butyrate. Some beneficial bacteria increased and persisted three months after the program ended. The findings suggest diet and meditation together can alter the gut microbiome, but further research is needed to understand mechanisms and effects on mood.