Compounds Enhancing Body Composition: The Synergy with Exercise

Certain compounds possess the ability to improve body composition independently. However, their efficacy is significantly augmented when combined with exercise. This article delves into the underlying scientific principles.

Exercise Mimetics: A Research Focus

Exercise mimetics have emerged as a prominent topic within the research community. Broadly defined, they encompass drugs or supplements that trigger specific chemical pathways typically activated during exercise.

Colloquially referred to as "exercise pills," the aspiration is that they might one day obviate the need for individuals to engage in strenuous gym workouts. In theory, one could potentially achieve leanness and strength gains by simply taking these mimetics while at home. Nevertheless, a more likely scenario is that these "exercise pills" would function in tandem with exercise, yielding enhanced results compared to exercise alone.

Promising "Exercise Pills" Already Available

Encouragingly, mounting evidence indicates the existence of at least two effective "exercise pills" in the market.

AMPK Activators

Among exercise mimetics, a class of chemicals known as "AMPK activators" stands out. AMPK serves as the master metabolic sensor, activated in response to the stress of exercise. It enhances insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial energy production, and is also intricately involved in skeletal muscle metabolism.

Notably, some of the most potent AMPK regulators are polyphenols, plant - derived chemicals with a wide array of remarkable effects on the human body, spanning from improved blood sugar regulation to potential Alzheimer's prevention.

Resveratrol (available for purchase on Amazon) and cyanidin 3 - glucoside (also available on Amazon) are preeminent among these AMPK - modulating polyphenols. A particular study appears to support the exercise - mimetic properties of these AMPK regulators and polyphenols in general.

The Study

Scientists conducted an experiment involving young rats, which were divided into four groups:

1. Group 1: Consumed high - calorie feed with added fat, mimicking a "Doritos diet." Consequently, these rats developed insulin resistance.

2. Group 2: Adopted the same high - calorie diet but washed it down with grape juice, a rich source of polyphenols.

3. Group 3: Were fattened up similarly but were required to run on a treadmill for one hour, five days a week.

4. Group 4: Underwent fattening, ran on the treadmill, and consumed polyphenol - rich grape juice.

What Transpired?

The combination of exercise and polyphenol - rich grape juice exerted a synergistic effect on the rats. They exhibited superior systemic and skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity compared to the other groups, most significantly surpassing the exercise - only group that did not receive the polyphenol - rich grape juice.

Their fatty livers shed fatty deposits and replaced them with glycogen. Exercise capacity increased, and body composition improved. All these changes occurred with a daily dose of 32 - 33 mg/kg of polyphenol - rich grape juice, which contains far less resveratrol or cyanidin 3 - glucoside than a single human - sized capsule of either supplement.

Another study, specifically focused on cyanidin 3 - glucoside, revealed that this exercise mimetic not only enhanced endurance in swimming mice but also increased muscle weight and protein content. It significantly augmented the mitochondrial population in their cells, leading to greater energy production.

"Exercise Pills" for Current Use

While it is not advisable to consume copious amounts of grape juice to achieve leanness, muscle growth, and enhanced endurance, individuals should aim to augment their health by incorporating as many polyphenols as possible from diverse sources. Two specific polyphenols, resveratrol and cyanidin 3 - glycoside, clearly act synergistically with exercise.

Cyanadin 3 - glucoside has gained a reputation for its fat - burning and muscle - building properties. A substantial body of research (both on rats and humans) demonstrates its ability to burn fat, increase insulin sensitivity, and preferentially direct nutrients to muscle. It is marketed as Indigo - 3G (available on Amazon).

Resveratrol, sold as Rez - V (available on Amazon), is known as an estrogen blocker and potential life extender. Recent studies suggest that, in addition to improving insulin sensitivity, increasing testosterone levels, and promoting muscle fiber growth, it can also aid in fat burning and enhance endurance, as elucidated in the above - mentioned study.

References

• Lambert, Karen, et al. "Combination of nutritional polyphenols supplementation with exercise training counteracts insulin resistance and improves endurance in high - fat diet - induced obese rats," Scientific Reports volume 8, 13 February 2018.

• Toshiya Matsukawa, Hideko Motojima, Yuki Sato, Shinya Takahashi, Myra O. Villareal, and Hiroko Isodaa, "Upregulation of skeletal muscle PGC - 1α through the elevation of cyclic AMP levels by Cyanidin - 3 - glucoside enhances exercise performance," Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 44799.