Muscle-building ‘exercise pill’ is closer

A muscle-building “exercise pill” that could reduce visits to the gym has come a step closer after a new study focusing on a protein that keeps us weak.

Scientists found that suppressing production of the protein myostatin increased muscle mass and led to significant improvements in markers of heart and kidney health.

Although the research was conducted in mice, the team hopes that further down the road it will lead to human treatments.

Lead researcher Dr Joshua Butcher, from Augusta University in Georgia, US, said: “Ultimately, the goal of our research would be to create a pill that mimics the effect of exercise and protects against obesity.

“A pill that inhibits myostatin could also have applications for muscle-wasting diseases, such as cancer, muscle dystrophy and Aids.”

Myostatin is known to be a powerful “brake” that holds back skeletal muscle growth.

Studies suggest that obese people produce more of the protein, making it harder for them to exercise and build up muscle.