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Dr Christophe de Jaeger (Longevity and geriatrics)
American researchers have discovered a molecule that would reduce food intake and obesity, without even exercising. Good or bad idea ?
Lose weight, slim down and eliminate the risks associated with obesity without even making the slightest effort. The idea may sound crazy…or ideal to some. Researchers from the Baylor School of Medicine in Texas have identified a molecule in the blood, produced during physical exercise, which would play a direct role in reducing food intake and weight gain.
Preliminary research on mice
To reach this conclusion, the research teams carried out tests on mice. After intense exercise, and examinations of rodent plasma, they isolated an exercise-induced molecule, called Lac-Phe, for lactate (a by-product responsible for the burning sensation in muscles) and phenylalanine. (an amino acid that is one of the building blocks of proteins).
In mice with diet-induced obesity, direct injection of Lac-Phe would have short-term beneficial effects: “a high dose of Lac-Phe suppressed food intake by about 50% compared to control mice over a 12-hour period without affecting their movement or energy expenditure. When given to mice for 10 days, Lac-Phe reduced cumulative food intake and body weight (due to fat loss)” specifies the study.
Results that lead scientists to imagine different therapeutic applications. “Older or frail people who can’t get enough exercise could one day benefit from taking a drug that can help slow osteoporosis, heart disease or other conditions.” concludes the article.
NO to diets, YES to WW!
An incomplete solution that forgets muscle mass
Asked about this discovery, Dr. De Jaeger, a French doctor and researcher specializing in the aging of the human body, moderates this enthusiasm and especially regrets the lack of consideration of muscle mass. “It is a dream molecule that we are presented with, but it is a false good idea, which is based on the fact that it is easier to take medicine than to do physical exercise. However, it is not that simple. This molecule indeed plays a role on the feeling of hunger and on fat, but it must be associated with the increase in muscle mass to protect fragile people. Loss of muscle mass is the real risk as you age”.
He then evokes a more complete alternative: the magnetic stimulation of the muscles, which does not require physical effort, but leads to the same result (reduced appetite, reduced fat mass, etc.) while nevertheless increasing muscle mass and basal metabolism.