Discovery: Plants that Help Increase Muscle Mass

Recent studies have shown that certain chemicals called brasinosteroids present in the leaves brown mustard and other plants of the Brassica family, such as cabbage or broccoli, triggers a physiological response similar to that created by anabolic steroids.

Scientists believe that these substances from plants can provide a safe and natural alternative treatment to prevent diseases associated with muscle damage.

Experts believe they could improve muscle strength and physical performance of individuals.

Scientists at the State University of North Carolina and Rutgers were taken from skeletal muscle cells of rats and exposed them to different amounts of a substance called homobrasinolid.

It was found that muscle cells respond to brasinolid by increasing protein synthesis and decrease protein degradation process in cell cultures. This resulted in a significant increase in the amount of muscle protein.

The next step of the research was based on feeding rats with homobrasinolid for 24 days. Meanwhile, experts have measured the changes you the weight, food consumption and body composition.

Rats that were fed the plant steroid recorded an increase in muscle mass greater than that observed among those who did not receive such substances.

The study results indicated an increase in the number of muscle fibers crucial for improving physical performance. The findings suggest that therapies based on brasinosteroids may represent a viable approach for restoring injured or atrophied muscles.