Talk about a lazy workout.
Researchers in Denmark have developed a new drug that mimics the effects and benefits of strenuous exercise 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.
Currently called LaKe, the drug has been shown in lab rats to flush toxins and strengthen the heart.
“We’ve developed a molecule that can mimic the body’s natural metabolic response to strenuous exercise and fasting,” Dr. Thomas Poulsen, a chemist at Aarhus University who led the research, said. “In practice, the molecule brings the body into a metabolic state corresponding to running 10 kilometers at high speed on an empty stomach.”
Following exercise, the body typically enters a period of inflammation wherein levels of lactate and ketones spike.
In addition to triggering the release of appetite-suppressing hormones, this spike also flushes fatty acids from the bloodstream, reducing the risk of conditions like heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes and precipitating the body’s repair systems.
According to the American Heart Association, one-third of U.S. adults have three or more risk factors that contribute to heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
The release of lactate helps maintain metabolic function. Meanwhile, ketone is produced by the liver and kicks in anytime the body begins to convert fat into energy: after long periods of exertion, during fasting, or when there is a carbohydrate deficit.
Researchers say LaKe can safely and effectively control the amounts of lactate and ketones produced by the body.
“It can be difficult to maintain motivation to run many kilometers at high speed and go without food,” Poulsen explained. LaKe promises to deliver the benefits without the difficulty of exertion, which could be a game changer for those with injuries or compromised health.
“‘For people with physical ailments, such as a weak heart or general weakness, a nutritional supplement can be the key to better recovery,” Poulsen said.
LaKe will soon undergo human trials to determine its safety and efficacy. If successful, the molecule could be developed and marketed for humans.
