Danish scientists at Aarhus University have created a molecule called LaKe that can trigger the metabolic effects of regular exercise and fasting in the body. The study was published in the scientific publication Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (JAFC).
Exercise and skipping meals strengthen the heart and reduce blood fat levels by increasing lactate and ketone levels in the body. These substances act as efficient fuel for cells, benefiting the body's organs.
“We have developed a molecule that can mimic the body's natural metabolic response to intense exercise and fasting. In practice, the molecule puts the body in a metabolic state corresponding to running 10 kilometers at high speed on an empty stomach.
When lactate and ketone levels in the blood rise, the production of the appetite-suppressing hormone increases and the level of free fatty acids in the blood decreases. This has a number of health benefits, such as reducing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome,” explained lead author Professor Thomas Poulsen from the Department of Chemistry at Aarhus University.
The authors of the development noted that LaKe made it possible to achieve metabolic effects that are almost impossible on their own due to the accumulation of by-products such as acid and salt in the body.
The researchers tested the LaKe molecule on rats and began clinical tests on humans at the University Hospital of Aarhus. According to scientists, if everything goes well, LaKe could become a dietary supplement for people who are contraindicated for health reasons.
