# Tai Chi exercise of short duration alters circulating oxylipins in postmenopausal women: a pilot study

> **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637)
> **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com)
> **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/research/endocannabinoid-system-for-exercise/
> **Published:** 2026-10-30T12:54:18-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-10-30T12:54:20-04:00
> **Clinical Summary:** Sixteen women past menopause, who had not practiced a mind-body exercise recently, took part in this small study.

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Tai Chi (TC) is a low-impact physical activity known to improve balance, strength, and cognitive health across the lifespan. We previously reported that 8 weeks of TC altered brain connectivity and circulating oxylipins (OxLs) and endocannabinoids/endocannabinoid-like compounds (eCBs) in postmenopausal (PM) women with knee osteoarthritis. This pilot study examined whether a short TC intervention similarly affects inflammatory OxL and eCB in PM women. Participants completed four TC sessions on non-consecutive days over 10 days. Non-fasting plasma collected at baseline and immediately after the fourth session was analyzed for OxL and eCB using targeted metabolomics. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) assessed pre-to post-intervention differences, and paired t-tests with false discovery rate correction evaluated metabolite changes. Sixteen PM women (58.9 ± 5.2 years; BMI 33.6 ± 5.4 kg/m2) completed the study. Several OxLs demonstrated PLS-DA variable importance in projection scores >1.0. Post-intervention, 1-AG and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) were generally lower, whereas 18-HEPE was higher. TC produced modest effects on eCBs but more pronounced changes in OxLs. Reduced monoacylglycerols may indicate TC-induced mobilization of fatty acids through enzymes involved in 1-AG metabolism.

 

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### Verification & Medical Governance

- **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD
- **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House).
- **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`).
- **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/).
- **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637).
- **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).