#Betaine

A natural compound found in common foods and produced by the kidneys during endurance exercise may unlock the anti-aging benefits of regular physical activity—without any need to hit the gym, according to a landmark study published in the journal Cell by a Chinese Academy of Sciences research team. The discovery could pave the way for “exercise-in-a-pill” therapies that offer hope to Thailand’s rapidly aging population and to those with limited mobility or chronic health issues.

A natural compound found in common foods and produced by the kidneys during endurance activity may mirror many benefits of regular exercise. A study from the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences suggests betaine could support healthy aging, especially for people who cannot engage in physical activity. The findings spark discussion about therapies that fit Thailand’s aging population.

Researchers identify betaine as a molecular marker that reflects exercise’s positive effects. In aged mice, oral betaine supplementation improved metabolism, immune function, muscle strength, and tissue regeneration—paralleling outcomes seen in animals that trained regularly. The results imply betaine could slow age-related decline even without exercise. For Thai readers, an accessible intervention to complement lifestyle efforts is timely given the country’s aging demographic and rising chronic disease risk.

A new study suggests betaine, a natural compound found in foods like beets, leafy greens, and whole grains, could mimic some benefits of exercise. Researchers say betaine may help reduce chronic inflammation and slow tissue ageing, offering a complementary approach to healthy ageing. The study notes that exercise naturally raises body betaine levels, while supplements might replicate some exercise benefits. This could be meaningful for people who cannot engage in regular physical activity due to mobility or health constraints.

In a landmark study that could reshape approaches to healthy ageing, researchers have identified a natural supplement, betaine, that mimics the benefits of exercise—including reduced inflammation and slowed tissue ageing. This finding, recently published in the scientific journal Cell and widely reported in international media, has the potential to revolutionize the fight against age-related diseases and extend human healthspan, particularly for those unable to maintain regular physical activity (gbnews.com, medicalxpress.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, nmn.com).

A collaborative team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Capital Medical University in Beijing conducted an in-depth analysis revealing that betaine, a compound found naturally in foods such as beetroot, spinach, and whole grains, interacts with key molecular pathways involved in inflammation and cellular ageing. Crucially, regular exercise was found to increase levels of betaine in the body—but new evidence now shows that taking betaine as a supplement can trigger similar anti-ageing effects, offering hope to those unable to exercise regularly due to physical limitations or chronic illness.

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).

A recent study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences highlights how regular physical activity can slow ageing, with betaine playing a central role. Betaine, a naturally occurring compound boosted by sustained exercise, appears to reduce inflammation and protect organ health by inhibiting TBK1, a protein linked to ageing processes.

Researchers used a staged approach. Healthy young men paused intense activity for 45 days, then resumed a jogging routine of five kilometers every other day for 25 days. After the intervention, scientists observed notable changes in immune cells and metabolism. Parallel experiments in aged mice showed that betaine supplementation improved muscle strength, skin health, and several physiological markers. Lab work confirmed that betaine directly targets and inhibits TBK1.