A groundbreaking study by Chinese researchers has finally shed light on the deeper mechanisms behind how long-term exercise slows ageing, pinpointing a naturally occurring compound called betaine as a critical player in the process. This research, published in the journal Cell in late June 2025, offers not just a better scientific understanding but also raises exciting possibilities for new anti-ageing interventions—even for those who have difficulty exercising due to age or health challenges (SCMP; PubMed; Nature).
The research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Zoology and Beijing Institute of Genomics systematically profiled the effects of long-term regular exercise on the human body at the molecular level. They discovered that the compound betaine, produced mainly in the kidneys during sustained exercise, acts as a key ‘messenger’ in delaying ageing. Betaine prevents inflammation and age-related degeneration across organs by directly targeting and inhibiting a protein called TBK1, a molecule involved in cellular ageing processes (SCMP).
This finding addresses one of the long-standing puzzles in health science: why exercise produces such profound anti-ageing benefits, even though scientists had not fully mapped out the molecular details. “Physical activity is a recognized, efficient and low-cost way to promote health and fight ageing. But the deep-level molecular mechanisms were still unclear,” said the lead researcher from the Institute of Zoology, speaking with reference to decades of prior studies that highlighted the surface benefits of exercise but left gaps at the cellular level (Nature).
To uncover the exact pathways, the Chinese research group designed a multi-step study involving both humans and mice. First, they enrolled 13 healthy young men who were asked to refrain from serious physical activity for 45 days, followed by a regime of jogging 5 kilometres every other day for 25 days. Scientists collected blood, stool samples, and other physiological measurements before and after the intervention. The results were striking: regular endurance exercise produced dramatic molecular changes, particularly in immune cells, lipid metabolism, the gut microbiome, and, most notably, in levels of betaine.
The surge in betaine after exercise suggested a key role in the body’s response to regular movement—but the team didn’t stop there. They also exposed aged mice to betaine by supplementing their water. The results mirrored those seen in human subjects: the mice not only experienced stronger muscles, but also had less inflammation, healthier skin, and more youthful physiological markers compared to their sedentary counterparts. Importantly, lab tests confirmed that betaine bound to and inhibited TBK1, the enzyme that accelerates age-related inflammation and deterioration (Nature; SCMP).
Experts not involved in the study highlighted the wide-ranging implications of these findings. “There are people in the ageing population who don’t have the capacity anymore to exercise to the extent they need,” said a neuroscientist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, in an interview with Nature. “Being able to simulate the effects of exercise at the molecular level could change the future of geriatric care.”
Betaine is a modified amino acid that plays an important part in metabolism, already found in foods such as beets, spinach, grains, and shellfish. Although its benefits in metabolism and heart health have long been known, this new study is the first large-scale demonstration of its exercise-linked anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties (Nature; PubMed; ScienceDirect).
For Thai readers, these insights are particularly timely. Thailand’s population is steadily ageing, with more than 20% of citizens expected to be over 60 years old by 2035 (UN Thailand Ageing Report). Chronic diseases linked to inflammation—such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis—are rising, putting a burden on the healthcare system as well as on families caring for elderly relatives. This new research not only reaffirms the value of regular moderate exercise, such as brisk walking or jogging, but also suggests fresh avenues for those less able to stay active due to illness or disability.
Thailand’s official guidelines for healthy ageing already include recommendations for daily physical activity, balanced nutrition, good sleep hygiene, and stress reduction (Thai Ministry of Public Health). But the molecular findings from China raise the possibility that dietary approaches to boosting betaine intake, possibly alongside medical interventions to inhibit TBK1, could become part of future health policy.
Historical beliefs about longevity in Thai culture, such as the importance of “kiang kao” (living simply and moving often), echo these modern findings. Historically, Thai elders have maintained their health and social engagement by gardening, walking to markets, or taking part in community festivals and religious activities that require regular movement. As urbanisation and sedentary jobs become more common, a scientific reminder of the benefits of moving—now backed by molecular research—may help inspire lifestyle changes.
The idea of “exercise mimetics”—drugs or supplements that can imitate the health benefits of exercise—is also gaining traction. The Chinese study stops short of recommending betaine supplements for everyone, and researchers caution that more clinical trials are needed to confirm safety and efficacy in humans over long periods. Nevertheless, the findings open the door for new strategies, especially for people unable to exercise regularly due to chronic illness or disability. As echoed by a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Sciences: “Our results suggest strategies not only to promote healthy ageing for active individuals, but also to develop mimetic therapies for those who cannot exercise enough.”
Looking forward, this research will likely spur further investigation by Thai scientists. There is already active research in Thailand into the health impacts of traditional foods, many of which are naturally rich in betaine, such as spinach, grains, and some seafood. Local health authorities may consider integrating this new knowledge into nutritional advice for the elderly, while hospital administrators and policy makers examine if TBK1 inhibitors could complement interventions against chronic diseases tied to ageing (Thai Food Composition Database).
For Thai families, practical takeaways are clear. Regular, moderate exercise remains one of the most effective ways to delay ageing and prevent chronic disease. For those unable to move as much as they’d like, consuming foods rich in betaine—while awaiting further clinical guidance—may offer some benefits. As always, any major changes in diet or supplementation should be discussed with a healthcare provider, especially for seniors with complex medical histories.
In sum, the latest research marks a significant leap toward understanding—and one day potentially harnessing—the body’s own mechanisms to slow ageing. For a society like Thailand, now on the frontlines of a demographic transformation, the promise of “exercise in a pill” may still lie ahead, but the message from science remains the same: move more, eat well, and keep up meaningful routines that promote whole-body health—and when possible, take inspiration from both traditional wisdom and cutting-edge molecular discoveries.