Healthy living
Exercise and fitness
Exercise in a pill?
Ever wished that lying on the sofa watching sport actually counted as exercise? Well the dream is a little closer, following research into an 'exercise pill' that appears to be able to fool the muscles into thinking they've had a workout
The new drug - admittedly so far tested only on mice - appears to be able to boost the body's endurance levels, offering therapeutic hope for people with muscle wasting diseases and hospital patients unable to exercise.
According to resaerch published in the journal Cell, scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California gave genetically-engineered 'couch potato' mice a drug called AICAR. The drug flicked a genetic switch known as PPAR delta, which then turned the mice into indefatigable marathon runners.
In addition to their super-endurance, the altered mice were resistant to weight gain, even when fed a high-fat diet that caused obesity in ordinary mice. On top of their lean and mean physique, their response to insulin improved, lowering levels of circulating glucose.
The research team say drugs that mimic the effects of exercise may have therapeutic potential in treating certain muscle diseases, such as wasting and frailty, hospital patients unable to exercise, people with disabilities as well as obesity and a slew of associated metabolic disorders where exercise is known to be beneficial.
Although 'Exercise in a pill' might sound tempting to couch potatoes and Olympic contenders alike, the dreams of the latter might be short-lived. Study leader Professor Ronald M Evans developed a test that can readily detect AICAR in blood and urine and is already working with officials at the World Anti-Doping Association, who are racing to have a test in place in time for this year's Summer Olympics.
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
