Tai Chi Might Slow Ageing, Study Says

A new study suggests that Tai Chi can raise number of CD34 cells, which are a type of stem cells associated with several biological functions.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Tai Chi is a moving form of meditation as it involves gentle movements. Around 2.3 million people in the U.S. have practiced Tai chi, a 2007 survey had found. Research has shown that Tai Chi helps stroke victims.

Tai Chi might be a convenient and easy exercise that can help slow ageing process, researchers said.  The latest study showed that the ancient Chinese martial art replenishes stem cells in the body.

The study - conducted by researchers at the Center for Neuropsychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung in Taiwan -was based on a small group of 32 participants.

Volunteers were divided into three groups: one group was asked to perform Tai Chi, the second group had to complete a brisk walking program, while the third did no activity. All the participants were under the age of 25 years.

"We used young volunteers because they have better cell-renewing abilities than the old population and we also wanted to avoid having chronic diseases and medications as interfering factors," said Dr. Shinn-Zong Lin, corresponding author of the study.

Researchers found that people in the Tai Chi group had higher number of CD34+ cells than participants who followed thebrisk walking program.

"This study provides the first step into providing scientific evidence for the possible health benefits of Tai Chi." said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL., according to a news release. "Further study of how Tai Chi can elicit benefit in different populations and on different parameters of aging are necessary to determine its full impact."

National Institutes of Health had earlier said that Tai chi can help prevent falls in people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

The study is published in the journal Cell Transplantation.