Betaine is a modified amino acid that plays an important role in metabolism. Results published on 25 June in Cell show that consistent exercise raises levels of the compound, at least in young men. The study also found that feeding betaine to aged mice boosts their immune health and grip strength. Whether it will have similar beneficial effects in people remains to be seen. But there is a need for treatments that can mimic the effects of exercise, says Christiane Wrann, a neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, who was not involved in the study. 'There are people in the ageing population who don't have the capacity anymore to exercise to the extent they need,' she says. For now, there is no drug like exercise. It can sharpen the mind, soothe inflammation, and rally cells to repair damaged tissue. It helps keep some diseases at bay, or eases their symptoms. 'Physical activity is a recognized efficient and low-cost way to promote health and fight ageing,' says...
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