Could a Molecule Explain the Beneficial Effects of Exercise?

A recent study looks at a molecule behind the benefits of exercise. As everyone knows that exercise benefits our overall physical and mental well-being, this study shows how the molecule may promote such benefits that effect the metabolism during physical activity. 

"Our finding bolsters the underlying notion that signals generated in one organ-such as exercising muscle-are released into the circulation and influence other tissues such as fat cells and liver," senior author Dr. Robert Gerszten, of the Cardiology Division and Cardiovascular Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, said in a news release.

Previous studies have shown that the protein known as PGC-1∝ works to regulate the metabolic genes in muscles. However, how this happens was not quite clear.

Researchers identified β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) while conducting an experiment on mice and cells as they found that this one metabolite increased fat cell expression of genes involved in calorie burning as well as reduced weight gain. It also helped the mice balance their sugar levels.

Researchers believe that this could potentially help with metabolic disorders.

"Manipulating BAIBA-or the enzymes that generate BAIBA-may have therapeutic potential," concluded Gerszten. "Burning fat is likely to impact multiple aspects of metabolic health related to diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions."

What do you think?

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Cell Metabolism.