from muscles... Responsible for health and happiness

Gangnam Severance Hospital announced on the 29th that Professor Ahn Cheol-woo of the Department of Endocrinology and Assistant Professors Kim Yoo-sik and Jung Hye-kyung of Yonsei University Vascular Metabolism Research Institute have published a new book highlighting the muscle hormone ‘myokine.’

Muscles are essential organs needed for moving our bodies and exerting strength, as well as for creating a toned physique. While they are often thought of only in relation to muscle strength or power, muscles also function as an endocrine organ by secreting various hormones that affect brain function and metabolic diseases.

‘Myokine’ is a hormone relatively recently discovered in the medical field. It is a hormone produced by muscles during exercise and includes various types such as BDNF, irisin, apelin, and IL-6.

Although myokines are hormones secreted from muscles, they influence many parts of the body including the brain, blood vessels, fat, liver, and pancreas. One of the representative substances among myokines, irisin, is involved with fat by converting white fat into brown fat, increasing energy expenditure, burning fat, and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.

The authors state, “Having more muscle does not necessarily mean more myokine is secreted. Consistent exercise is more important than muscle mass.” This is because the more regularly one exercises, the more myokines are secreted. Myokines can be commonly found in people who exercise consistently in any form.

The authors also said, “Muscle is a storehouse of numerous beneficial hormones, and exercise is the only key that can open that storehouse.” The book provides practical and specific answers on which types of exercise can efficiently secrete myokines and what the optimal diet is.

Professor Ahn Cheol-woo said, “Although ongoing research is being conducted on the various roles of different types of myokines in the body, more research is still needed,” and added, “Through this new publication, I hope the importance of myokines, which are responsible for a healthy and happy life, will be widely recognized by the public.”