News Release - January 28, 1998:

  Transcending Heart Disease Study shows Transcendental Meditation lowers lipid peroxide levels in elderly

Fairfield, Iowa - Researchers have discovered convincing new evidence that an age-old meditation practice may reduce atherosclerosis and slow the aging process.  A study published in the current issue of Psychosomatic Medicine (Jan./Feb. 1998) reports that elderly people practicing the Transcendental Meditation(R) technique have significantly lower serum lipid peroxide levels.

High levels of lipid peroxide have been shown in previous studies to be an important factor in the formation of atherosclerosis and to be directly associated with the aging process.  The present study looked at the relationship between oxidative stress (free radical activity measured by lipid peroxide levels) and stress reduction through the practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program.

Forty-one elderly subjects with an average age of 67 were recruited from the same Midwestern town.  Eighteen were long-term practitioners of the TM program (average length of practice: 16.5 years).  Twenty-three were controls who were not practicing a formal stress management technique.  Subjects in both groups were of similar age, gender, level of education, and normal health condition.

The results showed that the group practicing the TM technique had 15 percent lower serum lipid peroxide levels compared to the controls.  No significant differences were found between the two groups on smoking, fat intake or vitamin supplementation. The TM group also had lower red meat consumption but matched subgroup analysis and partial correlations did not show a relationship between red meat intake and lipid peroxide levels.

Robert Schneider, MD, the study's principal co-author and director of the Center for Health and Aging Studies at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, said, "These findings suggest that we may be able to reduce atherosclerosis and slow the aging process through the TM technique, which appears to have a balancing effect on neurophysiological functioning."

"The data underscores the importance of the development of consciousness in positively affecting physiological states like serum lipid peroxide levels.  The Transcendental Meditation program appears to trigger an innate mechanism which enlivens the body's inner intelligence to repair itself and prevent disease and aging," Dr. Schneider said.

Other co-authors of the study included: Hari M. Sharma, M.D., The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Charles E. Robinson, M.S., Hines V.A. Hospital in Chicago; Sanford I. Nidich, Ed.D., and Randi J. Nidich, Ed.D., Maharishi Vedic University in Asbury Park, New Jersey; and John W. Salerno, Ph.D., Center for Health and Aging Studies, and Charles N. Alexander, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Maharishi University of Management, (M.U.M.).

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