Scientists Synthesize Compound That Mimics Exercise.

eports that researchers from Britain’s University of Southampton announced in a study in Chemistry and Biology that they have “synthesized a molecule that acts as an ‘exercise mimic’ by tricking cells into thinking they have run out of energy.” The molecule, known as compound 14, “could lead to a treatment, even something as simple as a pill, for obesity or type 2 diabetes.” Compound 14 inhibits the function of an enzyme called ATIC which plays a central role in insulin signaling in the body. That in turn leads to the build up of something called ZMP -- known as a "master regulator" of metabolism -- in the cells. It's ZMP that makes cells think they have run out of energy and activate the cell's central energy censor which is known as AMPK. The cells compensate by increasing their glucose update and metabolism -- changes that typically occur during exercise and that lead to weight loss. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/07/27/scientists-have-synthesized-new-compound-that-mimics-exercise-could-a-workout-pill-be-far-behind/