Swallowing a pill instead of exercising? Danish researchers have developed a substance that mimics the metabolic reactions during physical exercise. SRF asked sports medicine specialist Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss to explain how this pill works and who it could benefit.
How can a pill simulate the effects of sport?
Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss: The pill does not simulate physical performance. It contains substances which also appear during physical activity or fasting. In this sense, it only simulates a very small part of what happens in the body during physical activity.
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What would be the benefits of this pill?
This has not yet been proven, but studies in animals and humans show that the two substances lactic acid and ketone bodies have certain effects on the body’s organs. They can, for example, stimulate blood circulation or have an influence on the regulation of hunger, as well as protective effects on the brain substance. But physical activity is not limited to the effect of these two substances.
What are the possible side effects?
According to the publication, animal experiments have shown that mice suffer and cower if the dosage is too high. This point must be precisely verified in the context of clinical studies. It often takes years before a substance can be used as medicine. It generally takes six to eight years between the discovery of a molecule and its clinical use.
Who can such a pill be useful for?
It could be useful for people who have difficulty moving and help control food intake. But I am convinced that it can in no way replace sport itself, because the effects are much more numerous. Consuming lactic acid without producing it does not significantly improve cardiovascular performance. However, this is a major protective factor against the development of chronic diseases and is also a factor in longevity.
What is the potential of this new pill?
This is fascinating and deserves further investigation. The study of the complex effect of lactic acid and ketone bodies is interesting. However, we should also study the behavior of the pill in combination with physical activity. What is the difference between physical activity and this pill? As a sports doctor, I think we should generally motivate people to exercise more rather than take a pill.
Sandra Witmer (SRF)
Swiss
