OT: Lazy, Sendentary People Rejoice! MGoScientists may save us with a new pill that mimics the effects of exercise!

Submitted by RGard on January 13th, 2020 at 11:21 AM

"ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Given the option, would you avoid the gym altogether and simply pop a pill or drink a supplement that brings about the same benefits as a workout? It sounds farfetched, but the idea of lounging around all day yet still enjoying the health benefits of an intense workout may soon be possible. While there are still many details to be worked out, researchers at the University of Michigan say that the naturally occurring protein Sestrin appears to mimic the effects of exercise on both flies and mice in experimental trials."

Sounds good to me, though I suspect they'll perfect this with trials on chimps.

Read the rest here:

https://www.studyfinds.org/sestrin-could-pill-replace-exercise-protein-mimics-effects-of-working-out/

Booted Blue in PA

January 13th, 2020 at 11:29 AM ^

At an financial services conference in St. Louis many years back a group of us were out to dinner.  A UBS advisor out of Buffalo was telling us that since he broke his ankle he wasn't able to get much cardio in, so he slams a couple red bulls every day.... He figured that since they made his heart race, its the same as getting a cardio workout.   This guy manages millions of dollars for people (his father is a long time, well respected advisor who is the reason this guy is in the business)

mGrowOld

January 13th, 2020 at 11:33 AM ^

Kinda related to the topic but can someone please help me understand personal fitness instructors that are out of shape?  At my club (which I attend daily because that pill isnt available yet) they've got at least three or four trainers that look like they need trainers.  Who in the hell would sign up to be "trained" by somebody in worse shape than they are?  Makes no sense to me.

Anyways sign me up for the pill.  Trust me, at 60 working out is definitely "hard come, easy go".  Bust your ass for a month to see the tiniest of gains - take three days off and put on 5 pounds.

Bodogblog

January 13th, 2020 at 12:09 PM ^

Unsolicited advice here, but stretch.  Do it for 10 minutes a day in the shower: touch your toes, hands over head, all the typical stuff including your arms.  You might find that you really like it, and when you have more time on the weekends you'll get on the floor in front of the TV for longer periods.  That's what I've done. 

I've found I can quit working out for months at a time, and as long as I stretch I can get back to where I was in a couple of weeks.  Some times I feel like I don't lose any gains at all. 

Has other benefits too: wakes you up, energizes, keeps back/neck problems away, great for blood flow.  It's a game changer. 

Bodogblog

January 13th, 2020 at 1:06 PM ^

Lol.  Keep us updated as you go if you don't mind, I hope you feel positive results.  I started out years ago literally just touching my toes.  And over the years I've added things but always made sure it doesn't get too long.  The ease of doing it then and for just 10 minutes is the thing.  Then again I enjoy it so much I do it watching sportscenter or whatever for longer periods on the weekends. 

Now it's something that I miss if I don't do - like coffee used to be.  If I had a magic wand and could ask anyone to try 1 thing for health, this would be it. 

 

The Mad Hatter

January 13th, 2020 at 11:42 AM ^

I will take this pill and any other pills you have to make me look, feel, and perform like I'm 22 again.

I don't care how much they cost.  I'll find the money.  Or steal it.

drjaws

January 13th, 2020 at 12:46 PM ^

side note, they don't perfect drugs/drug effects on chimps.  by the time it gets to those multi-million dollar studies the drug is already "optimized"

Perkis-Size Me

January 13th, 2020 at 12:49 PM ^

There’s always a catch to stuff like this. Always. I’ll be curious to see what that is. But you know that general rule of thumb. When something sounds too good to be true, 99 times out of 100, it is. Either way, I imagine it’s going to be a long time before your average joe, middle class family will be able to afford this. 

You also still have to eat right. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week but I still eat like shit a lot of the time. So I’m essentially going to the gym just to hold serve with the weight that I have. 

MGoStrength

January 13th, 2020 at 1:55 PM ^

Given the option, would you avoid the gym altogether and simply pop a pill or drink a supplement that brings about the same benefits as a workout?

Absolutely not.  The gym is my anchor.  It grounds me and is the best 1.5 hrs of my day.  I'm also a HS PE teacher & strength coach, so it's kind of my profession as well :)

While there are still many details to be worked out, researchers at the University of Michigan say that the naturally occurring protein Sestrin appears to mimic the effects of exercise on both flies and mice in experimental trials."

For those that didn't read the article it's only mimicking aerobic exercise and it's benefit on the brain.  I don't see anything for the heart, blood vessels, lungs, etc. and there also isn't anything in there for other components of fitness like muscular strength & flexibility. 

the idea of lounging around all day yet still enjoying the health benefits of an intense workout may soon be possible.

It's great to have anything to help the brain and process real diseases like alzheimers, but the human body evolved to move.  Let's not come with more reasons to sit.  It's literally killing us.  The idea of human nature, the path of least resistance, is all about not expending vital energy in order to survive famine.  Instant gratification from streaming devices, games, videos, and social media is highjacking this natural human phenomena.  This new drug won't help us from getting fat & dying from obesity related conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

rainingmaize

January 13th, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^

In my opinion, there are four possible benefits that can come from working out. 

1.) Bigger/stronger muscles
2.) Reduced weight/leaner body
3.) Better mobility
4.) To feel good (from both a health, and sense of accomplishment standpoint)
 

I'm calling BS that one pill can accomplish all of that.