New Exercise Pill Mimics The Effects Of Running A 10K Without The Effort
14 Oct 2024
Researchers in Denmark have developed a new drug that mimics the effects and benefits of strenuous exercise like running a 10k without moving a muscle.
The study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, maintains that the drug produces the same health benefits as running a long distance at a fast clip.
The pill which contains the molecule, named LaKe, can mimic the body’s natural metabolic response to exercise and fasting.
Dr Thomas Poulsen, a chemist at Aarhus University who led the research, said: “It can be difficult to maintain motivation to run many kilometers at high speed and go without food.
“For people with physical ailments, such as a weak heart or general weakness, a nutritional supplement can be the key to better recovery.”
The first human clinical trials for LaKe are underway in at Aarhus University Hospital, following positive results on rats.
According to researchers, the molecule also has potential to alleviate concentration difficulties with potential to treat diseases characterised by low energy levels in the brain, inhibiting its optimal functioning such as Parkinson’s and dementia.