Exercise in a Pill...One more way to keep America Lazy

Great. One more wonder drug for Americans to gobble up in order to 'fix' themselves. A recent research study on mice has revealed that a drug can produce the same kind of physical endurance that comes from exercise training, according to Ronald Evans, Ph.D., of the Salk Institute. The study tested mice for four weeks and showed that they burned more calories and had less fat than untreated mice. Further, when the doped up mice were tested on a treadmill, they could run about 44% farther and 23% longer than untreated mice. Even sedentary mice given the drug could run longer and further than those which had exercise training with no drug administration. Benefits other than endurance included: leaner body mass , even when fed a high fat diet that would normally have caused the mice to become obese, and improved insulin response, lowering blood sugar levels.

As if people don't make enough excuses for not exercising . Do we really need to pop pills to get in our daily and weekly doses of exercise? Granted, if you are rehabilitating, frail or are unfortunate to have a disease like muscular dystrophy, a pill like this could work wonders. And I'm sure all of the 'keep me young and beautiful until I'm 100' types would eat this up in a heart beat, but let's be honest: There are obvious ethical dilemmas with this kind of drug. Interestingly enough, researchers are already thinking about how this drug can be abused by athletes, and as a result, are developing blood and urine tests for the drug.

Would you take an 'exercise pill' instead of working out?

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Comments 1-8 of 8

Posted by Bowhead Mon Aug 4, 2008 8:40am PDT

I am actually not afraid to say that I would NOT be ashamed to take it. Granted I would go shouting it at the rooftops, but in a day of 60+ hour work weeks and limited vacation, its get difficult for a working mom to find time in-between work and family to hop to the gym for a hour of exercise. I say do if necessary!

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Posted by Boss # 1 Mon Aug 4, 2008 9:34pm PDT

The problem with these pills is that even if some of the positive effects of exercise are provided, they can't mimic ALL of the positive effects of exercise (bone maintenance, prevention of depression, increased balance & stability, etc.), & will leave Americans a day late & a dollar short every time. (I wrote a blog about this, too...I find the whole thing completely depressing).

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Posted by Alissa Carpio, NASM-CPT, NPC Fitness Competitor Wed Aug 6, 2008 10:57am PDT

The problem is there's a double standard - it's OK for the average person to want to take it, but if athletes or competitors try to, then it's wrong and they're "bad" people.
I can see this drug definitely appealing to athletes and bodybuilders.
This is a tough call because you are asking people to judge what another person should or shouldn't be able to do. Our own subjective views cloud our decision.
I believe there is no replacement for being active and following a consistent, balanced workout program and healthy nutrition. However, supplementing with a pill in small doses could make our efforts a bit easier. I'd have to see some good, concrete research on long-term health effects before I considered it.
As a competitive athlete, I put 100% effort into all of my training and diet. I do not use any illegal performance enhancers, but instead rely on what God has given me in talent and work ethic. I would be interested in a pill that might help me perform better or reach my results a little easier.
Here's a little window into my life as a fitness competitor:
http://buzz.prevention.com/community/fit-figures/my-fitness-goals-for-summer-and-beyond

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Posted by crimsonbutterfly79 Wed Aug 6, 2008 12:27pm PDT

I would take the drug as a supplement. I would still hit the gym just as hard as I do now but it would be nice to see myself in better shape than I was in before I had 3 kids and a hysterectomy:)

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Posted by alive_coolest Thu Aug 7, 2008 12:10am PDT

u kno what sheer stfu man come on not that big of a deal seriously "another way to keep america lazy" would u stop being a hard ass just calm down its just a pill to help people out such as patients who r weak after some surgery that take a 6month recovery and the pill that reduces it to 3 god just calm down seriously

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Posted by alive_coolest Thu Aug 7, 2008 12:14am PDT

and also yah i would take so yah i would make a banner and hang it behind a flying stunt plane so hah

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Posted by jefschnitzler Sat Aug 9, 2008 9:07am PDT

America is the least lazy of all industrialized countries in the world. I know your type. You look around you and see heavy people and assume you alone know the secrets of good health and therefore you look down on the others. Even those who are willing to take an unkown supplement in hope that it will help their health and self esteem (that people like you have spent their lives destroying).
We don't think twice about supplements, vitamins, Osteo pills for joint health, why should this be any different?
For the record, I do cardio 21 hours a week and am still considered overwieght. Wow, I muzt be lazy too. Go to heck.

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Posted by Brett Blumenthal - Sheer Balance Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:03am PDT

jefschnitzler, my opinion on taking an exercise pill is specific to the pill. If you think taking the pill is something you would do, say so. That is what this blog is about, not judging others for their opinions.

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Comments 1-8 of 8

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