Hormonal Help

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley have discovered muscle regenerating properties of the hormone Oxytocin, which is associated with maternal nurturing, positive emotions, childbirth and libido. The research was aimed at fighting the ill effects of sarcopenia, which causes age–related muscle wasting.

A few therapies and biochemical factors in the blood were linked to age–related muscle regeneration, but have been rejected due to their ill–effects and correlation to cancer. Oxytocin is referred to as the trust hormone and is connected to love and friendship. In the study, scientists injected oxytocin under the skin of old mice for four days and then again for five days after the muscles underwent wear and tear.

The nine–day treatment showed that the muscles of the old mice healed far better than other mice, which were not administered with injections of oxytocin. Scientists also gave oxytocin to young mice and observed that there were negative effects on its body. Researchers stated that oxytocin is the only anti–ageing medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and would not only be helpful in muscle repair but also probably eliminate the chances of most age–related diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.