Scientists are working towards understanding the metabolic response to physical activity.
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ASHLAND: Niacinamide and other similar metabolites may jumpstart metabolism and mimic the benefits of exercise, scientists said.
Some metabolites change dramatically in blood levels after strenuous exercise. Niacinamide is one of the most important because of its link with overall health and exercise capacity, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
“What’s really incredible is that we looked at a whole panel of metabolites and couldn’t have predicted higher levels of niacinamide [after exercise],” said physician Richard Dunbar.
“We saw higher niacinamide levels among faster marathoners, but this is just an observation. The next step would be to look at controlled studies,” he added.
Niacin indicates good health and fitness
For the original study published in Science Translational Medicine, a team of scientists led by G. D. Lewis looked at over 200 blood metabolites and found significant changes in 23 of them after subjects exercised, including increases in niacinamide.
The findings may allow for eventual pharmacological attempts, called 'Gymnomimetics,' to mimic the beneficial effects of exercise, the researchers said.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is one of between 40 to 80 essential nutrients and is key in the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which is a coenzyme found in all living cells. In its reduced form, called NADH, it is an indicator of overall health and fitness.
Warning against hasty supplementing
The researchers found the highest increases of niacinamide in faster runners and those with the largest increases were leaner.
“We don’t know if the higher levels [of niacinamide] are due to an adaptation by the athlete’s body – maybe these runners aren’t metabolising it as quickly. It’s also possible that they’re supplementing,” Dunbar said.
