According to a study, a novel medication may provide the same advantages as exercise, including improved muscle growth and function.
In addition to perhaps treating “couch potato” issues like obesity and muscular atrophy, the medication can replicate the physical boost that comes from doing out.
Additionally, it might prevent age-related illnesses like dementia, heart failure, and deteriorating renal function.
Following decades of research, scientists at Washington University created a substance known as SLU-PP-332 that triggers specific proteins called estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) in response to physical activity.
The project’s principal scientist, Professor Bahaa Elgendy of Washington University’s Department of Anesthesiology, stated: “Everyone knows that exercise is super-beneficial for the body and mind, but not everyone can exercise.”
For those who are experiencing muscle loss as a result of other medications, those who are aging, or those who have specific conditions, having exercise in a tablet may help to replicate or improve the benefits.
This may result in the creation of treatments for some of the most difficult illnesses that we now treat, such as heart failure and neurological diseases.
I’m not advocating for the replacement of exercise or anything, but a lot of individuals, including myself, could benefit from these medications because they’re indolent, dislike working out, or are constantly busy.
Seeing individuals, especially children, who are immobile due to muscular dystrophy and other terrible illnesses has always broken my heart.
Although I’m not positive if this can help treat these illnesses, it might at least enable some people to live better lives.
When the mice were given the pills to take while running on a rodent treadmill, the researchers observed that the animals’ endurance improved and an increase in a kind of muscle fiber resistant to exhaustion was observed.
Additionally, the medications seem to counteract neurodegenerative processes that affect patients with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Exercise increases muscle growth and metabolism while also enhancing muscle performance.
A medication that replicates these effects might be used to prevent the weakening and atrophy of muscles that can occur in aging or cancer patients.