Protein found to mimic exercise effects

Sestrin has been discovered to have similar impacts to exercise

A protein called Sestrin may be a replacement for exercise, a new study by Michigan Medicine has found.

According to the American researchers, the protein that naturally occurs in your body may mimic the effects of physical exercise.

Their study was undertaken on flies and mice. It found that when they overexpressed Sestrin in the muscles of the flies, their abilities far exceeded those of flies that they had been training to run.

It was also found that the flies that produced Sestrin - which humans do - substantially improved their endurance levels. The null flies did not.

Despite this breakthrough, the importance of exercise should not be underestimated.

“I exercise because I want to be healthy,” said mother of one Lynne Kennedy. “I want to set a good example and be able to run and play with her. I am not going to change that.”

The findings are in their early stages and scientists will now see if Sestrin can have the same impact on larger mammals.

In spite of the research, gym-goers are not entirely convinced, maintaining that they exercise for more reasons than just to lose weight.

“I started exercising because I have felt uncomfortable in my body for too long,” said Maddi Maciejewska, a fitness fanatic. “The gym has given me confidence and makes me feel amazing. I have never regretted a workout so I would not stop for any reason.”