A recent study by a Chinese research group has found that betaine, a naturally occurring substance, can imitate the beneficial effects of exercise at the molecular level, potentially promoting healthy aging. the findings were published in the journal Cell.

The research was a collaborative effort by scientists at the Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the China National Center for Bioinformation, and the Xuanwu Hospital under the Capital Medical University.

While the health benefits of exercise are well-established, the underlying scientific principles, particularly the molecular mechanisms, have remained unclear. The team conducted an integrated multi-omics analysis over six years to examine the dynamic molecular and cellular responses of the human body to both short-term and long-term exercise.

The study identified the kidney as a crucial organ in mediating the effects of exercise. Betaine,an endogenous metabolite produced by the kidney,was found to bind to and inhibit TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1),thereby reducing inflammation and slowing down the aging process in various organs.

Betaine as an Exercise Mimetic

According to the study, these findings highlight the molecular advantages of exercise and suggest that betaine could serve as an “exercise mimetic” to promote healthy aging.

The study revealed for the first time that the kidney is a key response organ to exercise effects.

Understanding the Science of Exercise