Forget exercise – a pill could make you fit

IT IS the couch potato's ultimate fantasy – a tablet that keeps your body slim and fit without you having to move a muscle.

Dubbed the "exercise pill", it could one day revolutionise how we think about staying in shape and keeping off the pounds.

But before throwing out the exercise bike, would-be slimmers should be aware that so far the drugs have only been tested in mice – albeit very slim and fit mice.

The latest potential solution to the nation's weight woes is the brainchild of a team of researchers at the Salk Institute in La Jolla, California.

They gave several chemical compounds to mice to see what effect they had on their weight and stamina.

The team found the substances – called AICAR and another named GW1516 –appeared to have the same effects on the animals' bodies as exercise. And those mice who did exercise were turned into mini-marathon runners, able to run longer and further than mice not given the chemicals.

Lead researcher Professor Ronald Evans said: "We were blown away. This drug is like pharmacological exercise. After four weeks of receiving the drug, the mice were behaving as if they'd been exercised."

The mice remained lean even when they were fed a high-fat diet which would normally have caused them to become obese.

The drugs work by genetically reprogramming muscle fibres to use energy more efficiently. It is also hoped the chemicals could eventually be used to combat weakened muscles due to ageing.

More generally, it is thought the drugs could benefit people who just don't have the time – or inclination – to get the recommended amount of daily exercise.

Prof Evans said: "Almost no-one gets the recommended 40 minutes to an hour per day of exercise. For this group of people, if there was a way to mimic exercise, it would make the quality of exercise they do more efficient.

"This might be enough to move people out of the 'danger zone' toward a lower risk, healthier point."

Efforts are already under way to prevent athletes using these chemicals to enhance their performance. The scientists are developing a test in time for the Beijing Olympics to detect any potential cheats.

There was a muted response to the "exercise pill" from diet and weight experts yesterday.

Colin Waine, from the National Obesity Forum, said: "I think this is interesting as it increases our body of knowledge about obesity and the processes involved. But I don't think there is going to be a quick fix to the problem of obesity in the next couple of years.

"The main messages we still need to get to the public are healthier eating and more physical activity."

However, there was a more enthusiastic reception from comedian John Ryan, who admits he is partial to a fry-up and whose new show at the Edinburgh Fringe, Hurt Until It Laughs, focuses on men's health issues.

He said: "People would definitely welcome it; especially in our want-it-now culture I think I want it now!"

Ryan is among a group of comedians who will this month undergo health checks in Edinburgh, organised by the Leicester Comedy Festival team.

He said comedians in particular would love to be able to pop a pill to help deal with their sedentary lifestyle.

"It's hard making time for exercise and healthy eating when I'm on tour and even when I'm at home because I'm so busy with my kids, so it would save a lot of time. If you eat what you like with it, that would be great. But then would anyone ever go out? "Would we end up a nation of couch potatoes?"

So what other pills could scientists come up with to solve our personal problems? Ryan has one suggestion.

"I'd like to see a pill for parents," he said. "One of my shows is about fathering and I've been round the country talking to dads about the trials and tribulations of parenting, and a pill for making you the best dad in the world would be fantastic."

• John Ryan is performing at the Gilded Balloon from 12 – 15 August in Hurt Until It Laughs and Those Young Minds.