Want to keep your muscles strong but dread working out?
“I should go to the gym.” It’s something we all say and know we should do, but sometimes life gets in the way.
However, as we get older and begin to lose strength and muscle mass, supporting our bodies becomes increasingly more important.
Not feeling the gym tonight? You may be in luck! ..Kind of! There are two foods to make your muscle strong when feeling dread working out.
Scientists at the University of Iowa have found a protein that is linked with muscle weakness and loss during aging.
Protein ATF4 can alter gene expression in skeletal muscle, in turn causing a reduction of “…protein synthesis, strength and mass” (University of Iowa Health Care, 2015).
The same study identified two natural compounds (ursolic acid, and tomatidine) which reduce ATF4 activity in aging muscles. These compounds can be found in organic apples and green tomatoes.
So it’s true…! An apple a day keeps the doctor away!?
Adams, the lead researcher on the study states that “…by reducing ATF4 activity, ursolic acid and tomatidine allow skeletal muscle to recover from effects of aging” (University of Iowa Health Care, 2015)
So if you are suffering from, or want to take preventative measures against aging muscles pick up some apples and green tomatoes (make sure they are organic!)!
Works Cited:
2. University of Iowa Health Care (2015) Keeping older muscles strong. Retrieved from: <http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-09/uoih-kom090815.php>