力量與肌肉增長的科學秘密：英語精讀講義

We all have a fascination with muscles and strength, 片語搭配

我們都對肌肉和力量深感著迷，

whether we want to be stronger, feel better, or look like Superman.

無論是想變得更強壯、感覺更好，還是看起來像超人。

And there are many proposed strategies and exercise regimens to get this done. 片語搭配

為了達成這些目標，人們提出了許多方法和鍛鍊計畫。

But what if I told you that it was out of your control 講解

但如果我告訴你，這其實不在你的掌控之中，

and that your genetics may be entirely holding you back? 片語動詞

而且你的基因可能正徹底限制著你呢？

Conversely, what if there was a secret out there that could lead you to superhuman strength? 表達脈絡

反過來說，如果真有一個祕密能讓你獲得超人般的力量呢？

The truth is, your muscle size has a limit.

事實是，你的肌肉大小有其極限。

Sure, it may seem obvious when you hear it,

當然，聽起來這似乎顯而易見，

but your muscles are under the strict control of a protein called myostatin, 片語搭配

但你的肌肉受到一種名為肌肉生長抑制素的蛋白質嚴格控制，

which determines exactly how large a muscle can become. 文法

它精確決定了一塊肌肉最多能長多大。

And this limit is different for everyone,

而且每個人的這個上限都不同，

depending on their myostatin levels. 文法

取決於各自的肌肉生長抑制素濃度。

As a muscle reaches this limit, 文法

當肌肉達到這個上限時，

myostatin prevents any further growth. 片語搭配

肌肉生長抑制素會阻止它繼續生長。

But if the myostatin itself is limited or absent,

但如果肌肉生長抑制素本身濃度很低或完全不存在，

this muscle limit suddenly goes away.

這個肌肉上限就會突然消失。

This phenomenon was first noticed in Belgian Blue cattle. 文化背景

這種現象最早是在比利時藍牛身上發現的。

These cows developed two to three times more muscle mass than a normal cow, 文法

這些牛的肌肉量可達一般牛的兩到三倍，

and it was later discovered that they had a deletion of the gene GDF8, 用詞

後來人們發現，牠們的 GDF8 基因出現缺失，

which just so happens to create myostatin. 片語搭配

而這個基因恰好負責產生肌肉生長抑制素。

As a result, without any exercise or special diet,

因此，不用做任何運動或採取特殊飲食，

these cows have incredible muscle mass.

這些牛就擁有驚人的肌肉量。

Similar cases have been documented in some dogs, mice, 用詞

一些狗和老鼠身上也記錄到類似情況，

and even a few cases of human babies lacking the GDF8 gene. 文法

甚至還有少數人類嬰兒缺少 GDF8 基因的案例。

These findings have helped scientists understand why some people bulk up easily, 片語動詞

這些發現幫助科學家了解為什麼有些人很容易練壯，

while others struggle to. 文法

而另一些人卻很難做到。

Lower levels of myostatin equals more muscle mass. 文法

肌肉生長抑制素濃度越低，肌肉量就越大。

In fact, some studies have even shown that many champion bodybuilders 片語搭配

事實上，一些研究甚至顯示，許多健美冠軍

have naturally lower levels or even entire deletions of the myostatin gene.

天生就有較低的肌肉生長抑制素濃度，甚至整個肌肉生長抑制素基因都缺失了。

If you look at somebody like Arnold Schwarzenegger,

如果看看阿諾·史瓦辛格這樣的人，

as a teen, he just looks naturally muscular.

他青少年時期看起來就天生肌肉發達。

As such, perhaps many champion bodybuilders owe their success 講解

因此，或許許多健美冠軍的成功

more to genetics than to training or drug use.

更多要歸功於基因，而不是訓練或使用藥物。

Eventually, it may be possible to develop drugs which deplete or block myostatin. 文法

未來或許能開發出可減少肌肉生長抑制素或阻斷其作用的藥物。

Of course, it's a double-edged sword. 慣用語

當然，這是一把雙面刃。

On the one hand, patients with muscular dystrophy or muscle loss from aging 表達脈絡

一方面，肌肉失養症患者或因老化而肌肉流失的人

could regrow and restore muscle.

可以重新長出並恢復肌肉。

On the other hand, the potential for abuse as performance enhancers seems inevitable. 用詞

另一方面，這類藥物遭到濫用來提升運動表現，似乎無可避免。

But the prospect of seeing a real-life human Hulk seems kind of cool. 講解

不過，想到現實中可能出現真人版浩克，似乎還滿酷的。

Besides, should those who already have low levels of myostatin

此外，那些肌肉生長抑制素濃度本來就低的人

be considered to have an unfair advantage? 文法

是否也該被視為擁有不公平的優勢呢？

It's hard to say. 語氣意圖

這很難說。

Regardless, be wary of anybody selling or promoting this unproven and unregulated treatment. 講解

無論如何，都要提防任何兜售或推廣這種未經證實、未受管制療法的人。

At the end of the day, whether you have naturally low or high myostatin levels, 慣用語

說到底，無論你天生的肌肉生長抑制素濃度偏低或偏高，

remember, this is the level that is optimal for your mechanical and metabolic efficiency.

都要記住，這個濃度能讓你的機械效率與代謝效率達到最佳狀態。

With proper exercise and general health, you'll reach your own unique physiological peak. 片語搭配

透過適當運動並維持整體健康，你會達到自己獨有的生理巔峰。

And while you may not be destined to pack a punch like Superman, 講解

雖然你可能注定無法像超人那樣打出威力驚人的一拳，

you can push your own limits through training and hard work. 慣用語

但你可以靠訓練與努力挑戰自己的極限。

But what if you could punch as hard as Superman?

但如果你能打出和超人一樣重的一拳呢？

Our friend Jake over at Vsauce3 has the answer to this smashing superhero question,

我們在 Vsauce3 的朋友 Jake 解答了這個勁爆的超級英雄問題，

which you definitely need to check out.

你絕對要去看看。

And if you want to know how much myostatin you have,

如果你想知道自己體內有多少肌肉生長抑制素，

there's only one real way to find out. 片語動詞

真正的方法只有一個。

Get working. 文法

開始練吧。

This episode of AsapSCIENCE is supported by 23andMe. 文化背景

本集 AsapSCIENCE 由 23andMe 贊助播出。

23andMe is a DNA analysis service that allows you to explore your own genes.

23andMe 是一項 DNA 分析服務，讓你能探索自己的基因。

Whether you're interested in discovering your global origins 文法

無論你是想探索自己的祖先來自世界何處，

or understanding your health and your risk for disease, 片語搭配

還是了解自身健康狀況與罹病風險，

be sure to check out 23andme.com/asap.

都別忘了造訪 23andme.com/asap。

With the help of their DNA kits, connect to your past,

透過他們的 DNA 檢測套組，追溯你的過去，

learn about your present health, and potentially be part of future genetic research,

了解你目前的健康狀況，還有機會參與未來的基因研究，

all at 23andme.com/asap.

這一切盡在 23andme.com/asap。

And subscribe for more weekly science videos.

記得訂閱，觀看每週更新的更多科學影片。