Best of: The future of exercise
The Future of Everything
Deep Dive
What is Lac-Phe, and what role does it play in the body after exercise?
Lac-Phe is a molecule derived from lactate, produced during high-intensity exercise. It suppresses appetite by signaling to the brain, which is why people often don't feel hungry after a hard workout. It is primarily produced in the gut and represents a gut-to-brain axis controlling feeding behaviors. Lac-Phe levels remain elevated for up to 12-18 hours after exercise, providing long-lasting physiological effects.
How does Lac-Phe differ in trained athletes versus untrained individuals?
Trained athletes have more efficient systems for metabolizing lactate, so their Lac-Phe levels do not spike as high after exercise. In contrast, untrained individuals experience a significant spike in both lactate and Lac-Phe levels, leading to a more pronounced effect of this pathway in untrained individuals.
What is the connection between Lac-Phe and diabetes?
Lac-Phe has been shown to help obese animal models lose weight, which in turn resolves diabetes. However, this effect is likely indirect, as weight loss improves overall metabolic health rather than Lac-Phe directly affecting glucose control systems.
Could Lac-Phe be the basis for a new weight loss drug?
Lac-Phe is a promising candidate for future weight loss drugs, but it is still in the early stages of research, similar to where GLP-1 drugs were in the 1980s. Further understanding of its pathway and mechanisms is needed before it can be developed into a therapeutic.
Why is it important to preserve lean muscle mass while losing weight?
Losing fat while preserving lean muscle mass is crucial because lean mass (muscle tissue) is essential for overall health and metabolic function. Losing muscle mass can negatively impact strength, metabolism, and long-term health. Resistance training is recommended to maintain lean mass during weight loss.
How does metformin relate to the Lac-Phe pathway?
Metformin, a diabetes drug, unexpectedly stimulates the Lac-Phe pathway. In fact, metformin is a stronger inducer of Lac-Phe than sprint exercise. This connection highlights how exercise and metformin converge on the same molecular pathways, providing a mechanism for metformin's weight loss effects.
What are the prospects for an 'exercise pill'?
An 'exercise pill' is a long-term goal that would require a deep understanding of the molecular pathways of exercise. Such a pill could benefit individuals who cannot exercise intensely, such as older adults. However, current research is still in its early stages, and it may take decades to develop such a therapeutic.
How does psychological preparation for exercise differ between humans and animals?
Psychological preparation for exercise is a complex and poorly understood area. In humans, motivation to exercise involves endocannabinoids, which are natural molecules that activate cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This system is less understood in animals, which may not plan exercise in the same way humans do.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists' history goes back to the 1980s.
- Initial use was for diabetes, with weight loss as an unexpected benefit.
- Over 10 years of research led to significant weight loss without side effects.
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