It is possible that soon, instead of spending hours in the gym, devoting them to grueling workouts, you can just take a "exercise pill."
Several research groups are simultaneously developing such a tool. One of them is the team of Joshua T. Butcher, who found that suppressing myostatin protein production leads to increased muscle mass and improved heart and kidney health. This has been demonstrated in experiments on mice.
The researchers also found that obese people have increased myostatin production, which is why, scientists say, those who are overweight have a harder time gaining muscle mass. In general, the researchers do not exclude that a drug that affects the expression of myostatin would help increase muscle mass, as well as improve the health of the heart, kidneys and the entire body. In addition, such a remedy would be useful for those people who suffer from a deficiency of muscle mass, for example, patients with muscular dystrophy or cancer.
Scientists from Australia also reported that pill sports are closer than we think. They tested a "physical education" pill that enhances the fat burning process on mice - the animals that took it activated metabolic processes and improved the work of the cardiovascular system. However, she did not help to lose weight: animals with an accelerated metabolism, if more than usual, which is quite expected.
Sean McGee and his colleagues plan to test the drug in humans - it can help increase fat burning, and also help those people who are contraindicated in active training due to heart problems.