Exercise in a bottle

T here is no doubt that physical exercise is mostly good for your health and the list of benefits it provides grows with ever more studies being published. It is also helpful for the funding of research to understand the health benefits of exercise in detail, namely the molecules and metabolic and regulatory pathways that translate a workout into a healthier body. A major aim of this research was to identify key elements that could be manipulated using drugs to mimic the health benefits of physical activity: “exercise in a bottle”. Such a replacement for the “real thing” might sound rather frivolous, but it would actually offer a therapeutic option for people who are unable to engage in sufficient physical activity, for whatever reason. It could, for instance, kick-start a recovery programme for morbidly obese people, or for patients with severe injuries, at least until they are able to start exercising on their own. Most research has focused on the impact of exercise on the metabolism of glucose and lipids for energy, along with insulin production and sensitivity, as these directly affect body weight, muscle and fat tissue and blood sugar levels. But physical activity also has a demonstrated positive effect on bone density and cognitive function. It can improve the outcome of cancer treatment and therapies for some autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, as it dampens inflammatory reactions in the body. Lastly, exercise of course benefits the whole body, for example by strengthening the cardiovascular and skeletomuscular system.