AI芯視界

More people are suffering from muscle loss, which comes naturally with age. While there still isn't a real treatment for muscle atrophy, local researchers have found scientific evidence that edible insects like mealworms.could help enhance muscle strength. Lee Eun-jin tells us more.
When we see elderly people spending their free time doing a variety of exercises, we admire their physical activeness and fitness.
But for them, there may be some sadness that their bodies aren't the same as they used to be.
"There was a time when I used to jump around, but now I walk like an old man." The process of muscle weakening as a part of aging, is called sarcopenia. But it has become a global trend to consider muscle atrophy as more of a disease than just a sign of aging. And diseases call for treatment.
While there isn't a treatment for sarcopenia, local researchers have found that mealworm extract enhances muscle differentiation and alleviates muscle loss.
Mealworm extract was applied to the muscle cells of laboratory mice. Compared to muscle cells that were not treated, results showed an enhancement of 60 percent in myogenin, a protein that is expressed early in skeletal muscle differentiation. The experiment also showed changes in the number of genes that influence muscle atrophy, collectively referred to as atrogenes. The muscle cells treated with mealworm extract showed a decrease of these proteins by 36% percent.
"The scientific proof that these mealworms help alleviate muscle atrophy is significant because it allows the expansion of the use of edible insects as a medicinal additive."
This latest research finding was also published in the international journal of scientific studies, 'Life'. And the Rural Development Administration plans to further its findings by expanding clinical research into the use of edible insects. Once looked at with disgust, more edible insects, backed by scientific findings, are becoming recognized as health supplements. Lee Eunjin, Arirang News.