Exercise in a Pill
August 2, 2008
You have probably seen the headlines. What is this about?
Basically scientists have been studying how to help those without the
ability to exercise, especially bed-ridden patients. Research with mice has
shown an ability to increase their endurance by taking a new drug. The
findings are interesting and they may, at some point, hold relevance for
people. But at this time what we are mostly getting in the media is wild
speculation.
In fact, even the researchers do not know what is happening. Ron Evens,
one of the study’s authors says, "honestly, I just don't know how that
happens. Whether it would happen in a person, I don't know. I think it's a
small miracle it happened at all."
Even if the studies prove out, what is the effect for us? Does this pill really
replace exercise? The answer is no.
Eric Hoffman of the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.
C., noted that AICAR mimics only aerobic exercise, not the strength
training that might be more useful to bedridden people or the elderly, for
example. He also cautioned that it's not clear whether the new mouse
results can be reproduced in people.
This opinion is echoed by nutritionist Joanne Ikeda. "I have read
hundreds of studies done with mice or rats investigating compounds that
cause weight loss in the little creatures," says Joanne P. Ikeda, nutritionist
emeritus in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of
California, Berkeley. "None of these compounds had the same effect in
humans."
But what if it does work? The answer is that it could be a very useful drug
for post-operative patients and those who, for any reason, just can’t
exercise. For the vast majority it is another media-fed fantasy that draws
attention away from what really works.
Dr. Linn Goldberg, head of the Division of Health Promotion and Sports
Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, calls it a "leap of faith"
to suggest that increasing conditioning or aerobic capacity is the same as
performing exercise. "[Exercise] not only involves skeletal muscle fibers,
but the main muscle we depend on, the heart," Goldberg says. He adds
that believing that you've exercised by taking a pill is "like being placed on
third base and thinking you hit a triple." The actual act of exercise can
help improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, reduce mental stress
and strengthen bones, Goldberg says. A pill that offers an increased
endurance might lack those other benefits.
In other words there are many reasons to exercise. Aerobic conditioning is
only one of them. Pilates specifically trains strength, flexibility and
balance, three things not even claimed to be targeted by this pill. Just as
importantly there is great value in the decision to exercise and in the time
and attention to do it. When we commit our time to bettering our physical
and mental wellbeing changes happen, not just in our aerobic capacity
but in our outlook, confidence and trust in ourselves.
See you at the studio.
Andrea.
August 2, 2008
You have probably seen the headlines. What is this about?
Basically scientists have been studying how to help those without the
ability to exercise, especially bed-ridden patients. Research with mice has
shown an ability to increase their endurance by taking a new drug. The
findings are interesting and they may, at some point, hold relevance for
people. But at this time what we are mostly getting in the media is wild
speculation.
In fact, even the researchers do not know what is happening. Ron Evens,
one of the study’s authors says, "honestly, I just don't know how that
happens. Whether it would happen in a person, I don't know. I think it's a
small miracle it happened at all."
Even if the studies prove out, what is the effect for us? Does this pill really
replace exercise? The answer is no.
Eric Hoffman of the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.
C., noted that AICAR mimics only aerobic exercise, not the strength
training that might be more useful to bedridden people or the elderly, for
example. He also cautioned that it's not clear whether the new mouse
results can be reproduced in people.
This opinion is echoed by nutritionist Joanne Ikeda. "I have read
hundreds of studies done with mice or rats investigating compounds that
cause weight loss in the little creatures," says Joanne P. Ikeda, nutritionist
emeritus in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of
California, Berkeley. "None of these compounds had the same effect in
humans."
But what if it does work? The answer is that it could be a very useful drug
for post-operative patients and those who, for any reason, just can’t
exercise. For the vast majority it is another media-fed fantasy that draws
attention away from what really works.
Dr. Linn Goldberg, head of the Division of Health Promotion and Sports
Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University, calls it a "leap of faith"
to suggest that increasing conditioning or aerobic capacity is the same as
performing exercise. "[Exercise] not only involves skeletal muscle fibers,
but the main muscle we depend on, the heart," Goldberg says. He adds
that believing that you've exercised by taking a pill is "like being placed on
third base and thinking you hit a triple." The actual act of exercise can
help improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, reduce mental stress
and strengthen bones, Goldberg says. A pill that offers an increased
endurance might lack those other benefits.
In other words there are many reasons to exercise. Aerobic conditioning is
only one of them. Pilates specifically trains strength, flexibility and
balance, three things not even claimed to be targeted by this pill. Just as
importantly there is great value in the decision to exercise and in the time
and attention to do it. When we commit our time to bettering our physical
and mental wellbeing changes happen, not just in our aerobic capacity
but in our outlook, confidence and trust in ourselves.
See you at the studio.
Andrea.
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