Augmentation of Whole-Body Metabolic Status by Mind-Body Training: Synchronous Integration of Tissue- and Organ-Specific Mitochondrial Function

Figures

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  Figure 1. A proposed model linking respiration-driven mind-body training procedures to enhanced cellular bioenergetics and whole-body metabolic advantage via synchronized mitochondrial activities. This includes the following: A) Self-sustained series of complementary mind-body breathing exercises are proposed to engender enhanced functional integration of cortical and limbic areas controlling voluntary respiratory processes with autonomic brainstem neural pattern generators; B) Self-sustaining or behaviorally-reinforcing properties of mind-body practices are proposed to be functionally linked to optimal enhancement of the metabolic status of reciprocally interactive neuronal and non-neuronal regulatory centers located within CNS and peripheral domains; and C) Unified mechanism of action, suggesting that widespread metabolic and physiological advantages engendered by extended series of mind-body practices are mediated by optimized synchronous regulation of mitochondrial O2 utilization via recycling of nitrite and nitric oxide by iron-sulfur centers of coupled respiratory complexes and nitrite reductases.

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  Figure 2. Nitrite Reductase and its numerous forms have been associated with modulating nitric oxide (NO) levels in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This ability was challenged with the emergence of oxygen (O2) as a major player in metabolic processes. To meet this new oxygen presence, constitutive nitric oxide synthase evolved with the capability of dynamic responsiveness supplying the right amount of NO in particular situations, e.g., relaxation and restorative sleep, while being balanced with nitrite levels.

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  Figure 3. Cognition provides us with the potential to modulate many physiological functions, e.g., respiration. Hence, we can induce a state of calm besides sleep itself. In this regard, we may set the “degree” of our alert state by associating this ability with reward and analgesic (short-term) actions when safety in our environment exists. Cognition, thus, can induce synchronous calming actions (e.g., meditation, breathing, etc.), which occurs via “trickle down” cellular and molecular levels of regulation to initiate metabolic coordination and “cleansing”. This process was favored during evolution because it provides for longevity (DNA integrity), needed for the genetic material to be maintained in an intelligent organism that required a long learning period. Furthermore, the overall organismic processes needed to create a calm metabolic appropriate response were not only used in the brain reward system and elsewhere but in modulating the mitochondrial energy output so that, it as well, was appropriate, e.g., endogenous morphine as noted in the figure and the potential for cannabinoid and estrogen signaling as well may be involved via NO coupling in mitochondria [50–53]. For example,…