Would You Take An Exercise Pill?
Lazy but want to stay in shape? You may soon be able to have it both ways, thanks to a new pill in testing from GlaxoSmithKline.
04 November, 2017
Wikicommons, W.carter
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Since humans began ingesting nutrients and medicines in pill form, the possibility of fixing every problem via this mechanism has tantalized the imagination. Depressed? Angry? Unable to focus? Sexually dysfunctional? Someone, somewhere has a pill for that. How about a pill that will exercise for you?<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Okay, that’s not quite how it works, but the idea of providing the same physiological mechanisms of exercise—namely, cardiovascular health and weight loss—by swallowing a pill is closer than you might think.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">One pill in particular (GW501516) <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/06/a-pill-to-make-exercise-obsolete" target="_blank"><span class="s2">mimics the effects of endurance exercise</span></a> on the gene PPAR-delta. When 516 binds to this gene it boosts a signal to burn fat. So far this experiment is working in two mice, dubbed Couch Potato Mouse and Lance Armstrong Mouse.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">These mice are residents of San Diego’s Salk Institute, where both enjoy a plentiful diet of a fat-sugar mix that tastes like cookie dough. Both rodents are also sedentary; Lance isn’t out huffing it on a wheel all day. The only difference is that Couch Potato does not get his daily 516, which is why he’s fat and greasy. Lance, by contrast, exhibits tons of energy while maintaining a sleek figure.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">516 was initially created by GlaxoSmithKline when chemical biologist Tim Wilson was looking for ways to treat diabetics. Initial results on obese monkeys showed an increase in good cholesterol and a reduction in bad cholesterol, insulin levels, and triglycerides. At the time Wilson believed he stumbled upon a metabolic syndrome wonderdrug.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">His hopes held until 2007, when the pharmaceutical giant shelved 516 as long-term toxicity effects started rolling in. Animal studies showed evidence of rapidly developing cancers in a number of organs. Without a seventy-year trial the company was concerned the FDA would not feel the consequences were worth lower cholesterol.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Cue fitness fanatics. Around the time 516 was being shelved, molecular and developmental biologist Ron Evans started injecting the above mice. Though the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned 516 in 2009, steroid message boards are filled with anecdotal test cases, in part due to evidence from Evans’s lab. The drug prevents you from “hitting the wall” too soon due to a <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/1898181/faster-higher-squeakier?page=all" target="_blank"><span class="s2">boost in your reserves</span></a> of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). With a bit of tweaking Evans hopes this switch becomes genetically encoded:<span> </span></span></p><blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We proved that endurance could be genetically engineered through this particular switch. And the switch stayed on, and could be passed on as a genetic trait. You could have a whole lineage of long-distance-running mice.</span></p>
</blockquote><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Even without actually running, the mice remain svelte and energized. Could it work in humans? Evans is responsible for letting WADA in on his research before his famous study, published in the journal <em>Cell</em>, set the Internet on fire. Cycling and running competitors were monitored, but not the ripped dude snapping shirtless selfies in the gym. For roughly $1,000 per ten grams ungodly bursts of endurance arrive packaged at your door.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Which is, in many ways, what Evans wants: a genetic enhancement that makes you last longer while growing stronger. What of those whose goal is to binge on <em>The Deuce</em> while shoveling in pints of cookie dough ice cream? We’re already attuned to expecting instant gratification for as little work possible. What if no work provides even better benefits?<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">The seduction of quick results combined with a lack of foresight regarding potentially crippling effects has undone our fantasies time and again. This is our genetic inheritance, an ongoing battle between energy conservation and nomadic wandering. Since we no longer need to hunt, conservation wins out. We have to motivate ourselves to put in the work to stay healthy.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Which is quite easy for some, sometimes to unhealthy degrees. “Chronic cardio” is one example of trim waistline obsessed gym rats. Pills like 516 and others—there are a number of others coming down the pipeline—might get you that extra mile on training day, but it could also get you to skip every mile. It’s hard to see the benefit of not moving at all, given the evolutionary necessity of movement. But if rocking rock-hard abs for your million Instagram followers is possible without the planks and HIIT, we’d be fooling ourselves if believing many won’t try.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">To counteract sedentary habits the fitness industry now has $3 trillion in assets worldwide. Every year American health clubs rake in $27 billion from 55 million members. Sure, Planet Fitness counts on you <em>not</em> going for its success, but many take fitness seriously. Endurance pills might appeal to both ends: those looking to push their workouts to the next level and those who would rather just enjoy the free pizza at the front desk.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">How to navigate these unchartered waters? University of California, Riverside biologist Theodore Garland suggests an ideal solution. Instead of designing drugs to replace exercise, or even to enhance it, how about a pill getting you on the treadmill or swinging a kettlebell <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/11/06/a-pill-to-make-exercise-obsolete" target="_blank"><span class="s2">in the first place</span></a>?<span> </span></span></p><blockquote>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Personally, I’ve been more interested in the possibility of drugs that would make us more motivated to exercise.</span></p>
</blockquote><p class="p1"><span class="s1">We can’t stop the exercise pills. They appeal to too many people brought up on too many science fiction tales. 516 might not survive clinical scrutiny, but given the complete lack of oversight of nutritional supplements such self-prescribed performance enhancers will soon be as common as green tea and acai weight-loss pills.<span> </span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A little boost is not necessarily bad—caffeine is my pre-workout and pre-writing ritual. Before the onslaught begins, though, we should at least understand the costs. A few years of increased endurance aren’t worth a complete lack of it in the end.<span> </span></span></p><p>--</p><p><span>Derek is the author of </span><em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Motion-Training-Optimal-Health/dp/1631440721/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476996488&sr=8-1&keywords=whole+motion" target="_blank">Whole Motion: Training Your Brain and Body For Optimal Health</a></em><span>. Based in Los Angeles, he is working on a new book about spiritual consumerism. Stay in touch on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DerekBeresdotcom" target="_blank">Facebook</a><span> and </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/derekberes" target="_blank">Twitter</a><span>.</span></p>
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Nestlé Claims Ability to Slash Sugar from Chocolate Without Sacrificing Taste
Scientists at the food giant reportedly found a novel way of altering the molecular structure of sugar.
03 December, 2016
A display of Kit Kat singles.
For those of us obsessed with chocolate, including yours truly, this announcement sounds too good to be true. After all, the food industry has made some extraordinary claims about sweeteners in the past that didn’t really pan out. (I’m looking at you, Stevia). Turns out they are all bad for you. And remember those fat-free chips with olestra that were supposed to give you that same great snacking experience, without the added heart disease or expanded waistline? They caused an embarrassing little side effect known as “anal leakage.” So excuse me, Nestlé, for my skepticism.
<p>According to the Swiss food giant, scientists in their employ have found a way to cut the sugar content of chocolate up to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/dec/01/nestle-discovers-way-to-slash-sugar-in-chocolate-without-changing-taste" target="_blank" title="The Guardian ">40%</a> without sacrificing taste. Researchers have altered the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-30/nestle-scientists-find-method-to-cut-sugar-in-chocolate-by-40" target="_blank" title="Bloomberg News">molecular structure of sugar,</a> hollowing it out in such a way where it tastes sweeter when it engages the tongue, yet dissolves faster, leading to a smaller amount being ingested.</p> <p>Using this unique process, Nestlé plans to reduce the sugar content in all of its confectioneries, including the Kit Kat and the ever popular Butterfinger. This comes on the heels of many US cities such as New York and Philadelphia, and other nations including the UK and Mexico, implementing sugar taxes on such products. Since 1980, childhood obesity and diabetes has quadrupled, and research has shown that such disincentives can positively influence behavior. PepsiCo Inc. and others have their own teams of scientists searching for ways to cut sugar. Since Nestlé plans to patent their process, the insight from the filed papers could lead competitors to their own processes.</p> <p>Sugar is nothing more than empty calories. Eating too much of it can pack on the pounds, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain forms of cancer. More worrisome still, a <a href="http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/eating-too-much-added-sugar-increases-the-risk-of-dying-with-heart-disease-201402067021" target="_blank" title="Harvard">high sugar intake</a> can elevate your risk of heart disease, regardless of whether or not you are overweight. For Americans, sugary drinks are the biggest threat, particularly sodas, fruit juices, sweetened iced teas, and sports drinks. Candy, ice cream, and baked goods are significant contributors, however.</p> <p><img type="lazy-image" data-runner-src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xODQwOTA3NS9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NzI4NTYxMH0.MrqkxgPtaKI_PorTxt_t0hiQ5mwaPJz5Szx-SJDQ6Kw/img.jpg?width=980" id="51664" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="231416b3bd4fcab1e6d7dfa49b6f746a" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image"> <em>Nestlé, Pepsi Co., and Frito Lay among others have recently vowed to reduce unhealthy ingredients in products.</em></p> <p>Health experts advise five percent of daily calories come from sugar, maximum. According to the American Heart Association, a man’s limit is nine teaspoons or <a href="https://authoritynutrition.com/how-much-sugar-per-day/" target="_blank" title="Authority Nutrition ">37.5 grams per day</a>. That’s 150 calories. For women its six teaspoons or 25 grams per day, equaling 100 calories.</p> <p>Your average Kit Kat contains 23.8 grams of sugar. So just this candy bar alone is almost a full day’s intake. Americans are consuming an average of <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/HealthyDietGoals/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Sugar_UCM_306725_Article.jsp" target="_blank" title="The American Heart Association">20 teaspoons of sugar per day</a>, more than twice the recommended amount.</p> <p>Stefan Catsicas is Nestlé’s chief technology officer. Though he wouldn’t speak of the details which are proprietary, Catsicas said the process entails hollowing out sugar crystals. The company is patenting this method, and will use it with all its products by <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38167241" target="_blank" title="The BBC">2018</a>. Nestlé began investigating sugar reduction due to pressure from governments, consumer advocate agencies, and consumers themselves. The obesity epidemic worldwide is rising significantly, and governments around the world are growing more and more concerned.</p> <p>So how did they stumble upon this molecular miracle? “Real food in nature is not something smooth and homogeneous,” Catsicas told <em>Bloomberg News</em>. “It’s full of cavities, crests and densities. So by reproducing this variability, we are capable to restore the same sensation.” Meanwhile, <a href="http://people.com/food/nestle-reduce-sugar-in-chocolate-research/" target="_blank" title="People">Pepsi Co.</a> is reportedly experimenting with a similar process with salt. Say hello to healthier Cheetos… maybe. </p> <p>To learn more about how to eat healthier click here: </p> <div class="video-full-card-placeholder" data-slug="rehab-your-taste-buds-getting-hooked-on-wholesome-foods" style="border: 1px solid #ccc;">
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