Dr. Ram Mohan Rao, PhD
Hecomes from a family of Ayurvedic practitioners and Vedic teachers in India tracing back to the illustrious Vedic-acharya Rishi Kaundinya. Ram completed the academic training at the California College of Ayurveda (CCA) and received his certification as Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist. He serves as a faculty at the California College of Ayurveda in their Nevada city location. Ram is also a dedicated Hatha yoga practitioner and is a RYT from Yoga Alliance USA. Ram has published several articles in major Yoga/Ayurveda journals and has been a featured speaker in several meetings and symposia. He is a member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA), and member of the Association of Ayurvedic Professionals of North America (AAPNA). Ram holds a doctorate degree in Neurosciences and worked as a Research Associate Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, USA on various aspects of age-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Topic: Ayurveda & Epigenetics
Abstract: Epigenetics is the process by which the expression of inherited traits is modified by external influences, our choices and lifestyle or other mechanisms without any change to the DNA sequence. Epigenetics describes the effect of all factors (internal and external) that affect gene expression. The expression of the inherited traits (phenotypic expression-Vikruti) is dynamic and keeps changing depending on the type of influence. Epigenetic changes are highly individualistic and depend on which part of the DNA is affected. Ayurveda terms epigenetics as Vikruti- a state of imbalance that requires suitable corrections to restore the true self. In this presentation, I will discuss about Stress and epigenetic changes. Stress of any kind, results in an epigenetic change primarily that affects protein expression which adversely affects physiological function and behavior through adulthood. The magnitude, duration and pathological consequences differ markedly between individuals based on the kind of stress, genetic background, and lifestyle. Research studies show that stress-induced epigenetic modifications will influence behavior, physiological outcomes and disease risk.