Many of us may not want to admit it, but modern life is easier and more comfortable than it’s ever been. Gone are the days when people had to rely on manual labor to sustain themselves and their families. Unfortunately, that has had some unwanted health-related consequences, with the vast majority of people not getting enough exercise. That, of course, takes a toll on the bones, muscles, and our overall health. The problem is that many people don’t want to put in the physical work to keep their bodies in good shape, even though they know they should. The good news is, they may not have to. That’s because researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University claim to have identified a drug that replicates the benefits of exercise on muscles and bones. Using a new type of drug screening system, they were able to identify a compound that replicates the changes in muscle and bone that exercise provides. Called “locamidazole” (LAMZ for short), the drug is somewhat of a chemical miracle. The results of preliminary experiments is very encouraging. LAMZ administered orally or via subcutaneous injection improved the muscle and bone of mice with locomotor frailty — a weakening of the muscles and bones. Although the drug may not get you those chiseled abs you’ve been dreaming of, researchers are confident that it could help as a therapeutic drug for patients with impaired movement, such as those suffering from osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
