A 2024 systematic review of 26 randomized trials finds that yoga can lower key inflammatory markers (IL 6, TNF α, CRP) and boost aspects of immune function across multiple chronic conditions and in healthy adults. While evidence quality is mixed, yoga emerges as a low cost, promising add on for managing chronic inflammation.
Chronic, low grade inflammation underlies many modern diseases from heart disease and diabetes to arthritis, cancer, asthma, and depression. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis in Cureus analyzed 26 randomized controlled trials (over 2,000 participants) to see whether yoga can measurably shift inflammatory and immune markers in both patients and healthy adults.
Across diverse conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, breast and colorectal cancer, heart failure, asthma, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, allergic rhinitis) and in stressed but otherwise healthy people, most studies reported beneficial changes after yoga based interventions combining postures, pranayama, relaxation, and/or meditation. Common blood markers such as interleukin 6 (IL 6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF α), C reactive protein (CRP), and IL 1β tended to decrease in yoga groups compared with usual care, wait list, or sham controls, particularly when programs ran for several weeks and were supervised. Some trials also found increases in anti inflammatory and immune-supportive signals, including IL 10, TGF β, interferon gamma, and secretory IgA, as well as reduced activation of pro inflammatory transcription factor NF κB and favorable shifts in stress hormone cortisol.
When pooled statistically, yoga produced a consistent trend toward lower IL 6, TNF α, and CRP, though effect sizes did not always reach significance because studies were small, heterogeneous, and often at high risk of bias. Still, the overall pattern suggests that regular yoga may down regulate chronic inflammation and modestly enhance immune defense, making it a promising complementary therapy alongside standard medical care. The authors call for larger, better designed trials with standardized yoga protocols and outcome panels to clarify dose, style, and which populations benefit most.
