Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Author Spotlight: Integrating Tai Chi with Mindfulness Training to Achieve an Effective Mind-Body Exercise
Published on: July 14, 2023
Augmentation of Whole-Body Metabolic Status by Mind-Body Training: Synchronous Integration of Tissue- and
George B Stefano1, Tobias Esch2, Richard M Kream1
1Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine Charles University in Prague and General University Hospital in Prague, Center for Cognitive and Molecular Neuroscience, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
The objective of our concise review is to elaborate an evidence-based integrative medicine model that incorporates functional linkages of key aspects of cortically-driven mind-body training procedures to biochemical and molecular processes driving enhanced cellular bioenergetics and whole-body metabolic advantage. This entails the adoption of a unified biological systems approach to selectively elucidate basic biochemical and molecular events responsible for achieving physiological relaxation of complex cellular structures. We provide accumulated evidence in support of the potential synergy of voluntary breathing exercises in combination with meditation and/or complementary cognitive tasks to promote medically beneficial enhancements in whole-body relaxation, anti-stress mechanisms, and restorative sleep. Accordingly, we propose that the widespread metabolic and physiological advantages emanating from a sustained series of complementary mind-body exercises will ultimately engender enhanced functional integration of cortical and limbic areas controlling voluntary respiratory processes with autonomic brainstem neural pattern generators. Finally, a unified mechanism is proposed that links behaviorally-mediated enhancements of whole-body metabolic advantage to optimization of synchronous regulation of mitochondrial oxygen utilization via recycling of nitrite and nitric oxide by iron-sulfur centers of coupled respiratory complexes and nitrite reductases.
Related Concept Videos
Metabolic States of the Body: The Absorptive State
Metabolic States of the Body: The Postabsorptive State
Initially, glycogen stored in the liver is broken down to release glucose into the bloodstream, while glycogen in the muscles is broken down to supply glucose for energy directly within the muscle cells. As glycogen stores diminish,...
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation
Structural Organization of the Human Body: An Overview
To study the chemical level of organization, scientists consider the simplest building blocks of matter: subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules. All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, familiar examples of...
Body Temperature
Body Temperature
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C...

