There is a specific molecule in the body that promotes muscle health with weak magnetic fields. National University of Singapore (NUS) scientists, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, pin-pointed it and want to use the discovery to improve the quality of life for the elderly and frail. They aim to use mild magnetism to mimic some of the effects of exercise and stimulate muscle recovery for aging and diseased subjects who are too weak to work out.
Lead researcher Associate Prof Franco-Obregón, from the NUS Department of Surgery, said:
The use of pulsed magnetic fields to simulate some of the effects of exercise will greatly benefit patients with muscle injury, stroke, and frailty as a result of advanced age.
The team found that weak oscillating magnetic fields activate a protein called TRPC1 and that the response happens in the same way when the body exercises. The study also suggests that the Earth’s magnetic field interacts with muscle cells naturally, driving biological responses.
The researchers began by observing what would happen if they canceled out all environmental magnetic fields’ effects on muscle cells. The cells grew more slowly. They realized that weak magnetism (weaker than an ordinary bar magnet but 10-15 times stronger than the Earth’s magnetic field) could naturally interact with our muscles.
Then, the team deleted TRPC1 from a set of genetically engineered muscle cells. They wanted to understand its role in muscle growth. This was when they discovered that without the protein, muscle cells became unresponsive to any magnetic field. Therefore, TRPC1 is what promotes muscle health through magnetism – it’s like the antenna.
Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón said:
About 40% of the average person’s body is muscle. Our results demonstrate a metabolic interaction between muscle and magnetism which hopefully can be exploited to improve human health and longevity.
This new study builds upon previous work from the team that found correlations between magnetic fields and regulation of the gut microbiome, fat burning, rejuvenated cartilage, and insulin sensitivity via positive actions on muscle. It also provides conclusive evidence that TRPC1 uses surrounding magnetic fields to modulate human physiology – something the previous study only touched upon.
Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón said:
We hope that our research can help alleviate side effects by reducing the use of drugs for disease treatment, and to improve the quality of life of the patients.
Metabolic health is strongly influenced by muscle health. Exercise is a potent modulator of metabolic disease because it keeps muscles healthy. Discovering that magnetic fields can exert similar benefits is a breakthrough in wellness. The NUS team is now looking to extend the study to perfect the technique to help the weak and reduce drug dependence for the treatment of diseases like diabetes.
