New "exercise pill" could make exercise as we know it obsolete?
A new pill has been developed by researchers which may unlock the benefits of exercise without having to exercise. We know from experience that certain pathways triggered by fasting or large calorie deficits have been shown to trigger interesting results allowing for some of the benefits of exercise. The drug was only tested in mice so it's another animal study but the results below:
When Evans began giving 516 to laboratory mice that regularly used an exercise wheel, he found that, after just four weeks on the drug, they had increased their endurance—how far they could run, and for how long—by as much as seventy-five per cent. Meanwhile, their waistlines (“the cross-sectional area,” in scientific parlance) and their body-fat percentage shrank; their insulin resistance came down; and their muscle-composition ratio shifted toward so-called slow-twitch fibres, which tire slowly and burn fat, and which predominate in long-distance runners.
The results in mice speak to the effectiveness of the drug in mice. The drug does not work in the mechanism of Berberine or fasting both which activate AMPK but instead works on a different mechanism. The problem with suppressing AMPK (the Berberine route) is that it suppresses muscle hyperthropy (muscle growth). The drug tested on mice in the study referenced by the article works on PPAR-delta. PPAR-delta is a specific gene which mimics the effect of endurance exercise.
Slow and fast twitch muscles work differently. So far from what I've read it is not possible for humans to grow new muscle fibers. It is possible for humans to increase the size of the muscle fibers we have but we cannot take a person who has fast twitch muscle fibers and transform them into slow twitch. This would indicate endurance is innate and something people are born with and while exercise definitely enhances that it doesn't transform a strength athlete into an endurance athlete.
This pill is different in that they looked at the fibers of the mice and noticed some changes. That said I am skeptical about the effectiveness of this pill and there are other methods to improve health such as intermittent fasting to trigger autophagy.
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If it does not INCREASE muscle mass, then it will never replace exercise. One of the main reasons injuries happen in the eldery for example, is due to muscle loss and weakness.
You need to remember that there are really two main categories of "exercise". Anaerobic and aerobic.
@dana-edwards I will have to PASS on pills that Big Pharma pushes. I am happy to be 60 years old and not taking any pharmaceuticals.
That's a good idea. Who knows what kind of side-effects this could have. We know the only side affect of good old exercise is health!
This could be a vital step forward for those who struggle to be active, but it can never fully replace physical activity. Being active improves my mood; is about having fun, seeing friends and developing skill. If made into a pill, physical activity would be the closet thing we have to panacea
Exactly. While many fitness enthusiasts (myself included) have a knee jerk reaction to this along the lines of "Wow, now people can just be lazy and make progress?!", we have to remember who can really benefit from this. People who are unable to exercise due to disabilities could lead healthier lives if this were to actually work.
I doubt there will be real alternative to doing real exercises, the benefits are not only dietary they are mentally as well
Hmmm, that pill would come in handy sometimes @dana-edwards. But although it would be available, I would still need my exercise. Exercise is good for my mind. :)
I don't think you'll ever replace the full benefits of exercise. Its more the mental feeling and hormones that are released