Multiple news outlets have reported today on a so-called "Exercise Pill." It is being hailed as a pill that can mimic the effects of exercise, negating the need for a workout. The pill increases the body's ability to burn fat, helps remove sugar from the bloodstream, and could help treat some heart conditions with its ability to change muscle from "sugar-burning, fast twitch muscle... into fat-burning, slow-twitch muscle". In addition, it has been found to increase endurance in mice; those animals that took the pill ran 40% longer on the treadmill than other mice. While there are some scientists who are doubtful that the pill will provide all the benefits of exercise, what if you could actually take a pill and replace exercise? Pros and cons? Yea or Nay? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
To read the complete story, visit the article on SciAm.com.
Friday, August 1, 2008
An Exercise Pill?
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3 comments:
In my opinion, this pill would prove to be both a curse and a blessing for mankind. On one hand, the pill can treat heart and other conditions, improving the lives of many individuals, but on the other, it only exacerbates our laziness as a society, particularly regarding exercise, and continues our dependence on technology, in a realm that we should be able to handle ourselves.
Now, with that being said, I still think that this pill deserves continued research. Not only is it important for treating disorders, but learning more about how these proteins affect our bodies could lead to even more astounding progress in the medical field. Lastly, it is incorrect to say that the pill being developed should not be used as an "exercise pill" under any circumstances: perhaps under a doctor's discretion, it could be administered to those individuals with genetic disorders that make losing weight a major issue.
I think too much bad would come of the pill... too many people would abuse the power. We already have to many lazy people to take care of. I think the only way to be healthy is excesize and a healthy diet.
KACEY!!!
I think that they should only be allowed to use them in hospitals and things like that for those REALLY in need. Otherwise, yes, people will become more lazy than ever because of it. So I agree with Mel, good and bad for causes.
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