The researchers tested their theory
by orally administering a drug that inhibits DNA - PK and found that, in addition to preventing weight gain in the mice, the inhibitor drug boosted mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle, increased aerobic fitness in
obese and
middle aged mice, and reduced the incidence of obesity and type - 2 diabetes.
Middle -
age adults had even more to gain: The model suggested that an
obese 40 - year - old could save between $ 18,000 and $ 32,000 over their lifetime
by losing enough to be simply overweight or a healthy weight.