MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
MensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex
  • Nutrition
  • Style
  • Weight Loss
  • Life
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Motoring
  • Video
Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

An 'Exercise Pill' Is On The Way, According To Scientists

An 'Exercise Pill' Is On The Way, According To Scientists

Hate Working Out? Try Matching Your Workout To Your Personality

Hate Working Out? Try Matching Your Workout To Your Personality

Should A Sports Massage Actually Hurt?

Should A Sports Massage Actually Hurt?

How Home And Away’s Ethan Browne Works Every Muscle Group

How Home And Away’s Ethan Browne Works Every Muscle Group

{headline}

{headline}

How To Conduct An At-Home Heart Health Test

How To Conduct An At-Home Heart Health Test

New South Wales Crowned Fittest State In Australia... Just

New South Wales Crowned Fittest State In Australia... Just

'I Did 25 Burpees Every Day For A Month - Here's What I Learned'

'I Did 25 Burpees Every Day For A Month - Here's What I Learned'

{headline}

{headline}

Study Finds Guys Who Exercise More Have Healthier Sperm

Study Finds Guys Who Exercise More Have Healthier Sperm

US Woman Uses FitBit Readings To Bust Her Boyfriend For Cheating

US Woman Uses FitBit Readings To Bust Her Boyfriend For Cheating

7 Places She Met the Guy She Cheated On You With

7 Places She Met the Guy She Cheated On You With

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

3 Ab Exercises That Will Blast Your Core

3 Ab Exercises That Will Blast Your Core

Coffee Vs Pre-Workout Supplement: Which Is Better To Take Before Exercise?

Coffee Vs Pre-Workout Supplement: Which Is Better To Take Before Exercise?

Women Share The Red Flags They Noticed When Their Partners Were Cheating

Women Share The Red Flags They Noticed When Their Partners Were Cheating

  1. Home
  2. Fitness

Scientists Have Almost Invented an 'Exercise Pill' – But Will It Work?

Studies suggest this magic pill could deliver benefits of fitness in tablet form - by Bray Stoneham
  • 04 May 2017
Scientists Have Almost Invented an 'Exercise Pill' – But Will It Work?

You may have considered the possibility of an ‘exercise pill’ futuristic or even unrealistic, but get ready – because the future is now.

 

Scientists have confirmed in a study done on mice that they are close to finalising a drug that provides the benefits of exercise in tablet form.

The possibility of an 'exercise pill' will excite and raise the hopes of many: the lazy and busy to name a few.

However if you’re one of the lazy bastards with a big grin on his face at the thought of sculpting a six-pack just by taking a pill, don’t get too ahead of yourself.

The main purpose for this supposed wonder drug will be to aid people who are unable to exercise due to obesity or physical disabilities.

Related: Six Tricks to Undo a Lifetime of Bad Health Habits

But is it really all that it’s cracked up to be? If the effects the drug had on mice are the same as humans will experience, then yes – it’s going to be a game-changer.

Mice in the study that took the experimental drug were able to run on a treadmill for 270 minutes before getting exhausted, while mice that didn’t take the drug were only able to run for 160 minutes.

As well as increased levels of exercise, the mice who took the drug for eight weeks also put on less weight and had more consistent blood sugar levels which suggests that apart from fitness-related goals, this drug may be able to assist people living with diabetes.

...

Mice that took the experimental drug were able to run for almost two hours longer compared to those that didn't

The drug, titled 'GW501516', was first developed in the 1990’s. The initial results were positive, but the experimental drug was soon abandoned after scientists discovered it might cause cancer if taken in high doses.

However, scientists continued to study and alter the compound, and are now close to perfecting it. Dr Ronald Evans, from the Salk Institute in San Diego, found the drug changes the activity of nearly 1000 genes in your body, many of which are involved in burning fat. 

But just how does this wonder drug work? According to the journal Cell Metabolism, the drug not only helps the body burn fat at a faster rate, but also slows down how fast it burns sugar. The result? You’ll still get exhausted, but you’ll be able to exercise harder for longer.

"In endurance sport competitions, such as cycling, marathon runs, race walking and cross-country skiing, 'hitting the wall' is a dramatic demonstration of sudden and complete exhaustion," the study says. But they confirm that taking the 'exercise pill' "is sufficient to dramatically improve endurance capacity."

Ali Tavassoli, professor of chemical biology at Southhampton University, told The Guardian there was a high possibility these drugs could be abused by professional athletes, but conceded there's room for them in the fitness world.

Related: 38 Ways to Lose Weight Without Even Trying

"There are groups of people who for one reason or another cannot exercise, people with real problems,” Tavassoli said. "A pill of this sort might allow them to reach a place where they can start to exercise for real."

Tavassoli, however, also acknowledges that while the effects are positive in the short-term, little to nothing is known on how it will affect humans in the long-term.

"There's a big difference between showing in an organism that you can mimic exercise over the short-term and demonstrating the long-term effects of doing this," he said.

"Someone with diabetes might be taking a pill for 40 of 50 years. What happens when you take a drug like this for that long? What happens to you? These are big unanswered questions," he said. "I can't see these things getting regulatory approval."

While there are still multiple boxes that need to be ticked before this drug receives approval, the early signs are positive.

So for now, lifting weights and hitting the treadmill is way to go. But we'll continue to monitor the prospects of this wonder drug soon hitting the shelves. 

  • Fitness
  • Exercise

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Subscribe Now-

Subscribe Now
Subscribe Now

Recommended to you

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic
Watch 0:10

Bjornsson Deadlifted 1,026 pounds On The Elephant Bar To Win 2020 Arnold Classic

{headline}

{headline}

An 'Exercise Pill' Is On The Way, According To Scientists

An 'Exercise Pill' Is On The Way, According To Scientists

Hate Working Out? Try Matching Your Workout To Your Personality

Hate Working Out? Try Matching Your Workout To Your Personality

Should A Sports Massage Actually Hurt?

Should A Sports Massage Actually Hurt?

How Home And Away’s Ethan Browne Works Every Muscle Group

How Home And Away’s Ethan Browne Works Every Muscle Group

{headline}

{headline}

How To Conduct An At-Home Heart Health Test

How To Conduct An At-Home Heart Health Test

New South Wales Crowned Fittest State In Australia... Just

New South Wales Crowned Fittest State In Australia... Just

'I Did 25 Burpees Every Day For A Month - Here's What I Learned'

'I Did 25 Burpees Every Day For A Month - Here's What I Learned'

{headline}

{headline}

Study Finds Guys Who Exercise More Have Healthier Sperm

Study Finds Guys Who Exercise More Have Healthier Sperm

US Woman Uses FitBit Readings To Bust Her Boyfriend For Cheating

US Woman Uses FitBit Readings To Bust Her Boyfriend For Cheating

7 Places She Met the Guy She Cheated On You With

7 Places She Met the Guy She Cheated On You With

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

People Who've Lost Weight Share Their Most Underrated Tips

3 Ab Exercises That Will Blast Your Core

3 Ab Exercises That Will Blast Your Core

Coffee Vs Pre-Workout Supplement: Which Is Better To Take Before Exercise?

Coffee Vs Pre-Workout Supplement: Which Is Better To Take Before Exercise?

Women Share The Red Flags They Noticed When Their Partners Were Cheating

Women Share The Red Flags They Noticed When Their Partners Were Cheating

MensHealth
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Chris Hemsworth Hugo Boss
  • Terms
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Women's Health

Our Network

  • Paragon Media Pty Ltd
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Men's Health

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe Now-

Shop This Offer
Subscribe Now