Judynyc
Thu, May-03-07, 08:59
The exercise pill: Another ‘too good to be true’ diet drug that probably is
http://calorielab.com/news/2007/05/03/the-exercise-pill-another-too-good-to-be-true-diet-drug-that-probably-is/
The exercise pill: Another ‘too good to be true’ diet drug that probably is
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, and we’re betting you have, but scientists are claiming to have developed an “exercise pill” which dupes your cells into believing that your body, while at rest, is actually exerting all kinds of serious effort, thus triggering the same increased rate of fat-burnoff that takes place naturally when you exercise vigorously. The result is that you burn calories at a terrific rate without being required to actually expend any great effort.
In short: by means of a simple daily pill, the obese could shed weight without having to either diet or exercise!
Glory hallelujah, right?
Unfortunately, this basic scientific announcement has become as annual and ultimately irrelevant an event as Punxsutawney Phil’s behavior on Groundhog Day.
This iteration of the Miracle Weight Loss Drug breakthrough carries rather more credibility than the average hoopla, given that the drug was developed by Dr. Ronald Evans of the Salk Institute in San Diego, an institution of lofty scientific pedigree. Moreover, Dr. Evans is a researcher in genetics, and uses phrases like “chemical metabolic engineering” instead of “potential miracle potion,” thus boosting the likelihood that his findings are legitimate.
But before those of us nimble enough to do so click up our heels with joy, there are the usual unavoidable caveats to consider. Without even knowing the scientific particulars of this new drug, we know the following drawbacks exist.
Similar announcements, from similar serious professionals with sterling credentials, have been made in the past. They’ve invariably been premature, and as things worked out, wrong. This is because…
Each new drug’s fabulous weight-loss results have only been achieved in lab animals; usually, as in this case, mice. Scientists have been ameliorating, curing, eliminating, or reversing health problems and diseases in mice for years without being able to reproduce the results in anything on two legs.
The Law of Unintended Consequences almost guarantees that there will be undesirable long-term side effects, either from the ingredients of the drug itself, or from millions of pill-takers blithely and recklessly consuming even more unhealthful foods and exercising even less than they already do. A resounding increase in widespread sloth and gluttony, even if it doesn’t cause us to gain an ounce, is probably not in our best interests, as individuals or a society.
(By Robert S. Wieder for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)
http://calorielab.com/news/2007/05/03/the-exercise-pill-another-too-good-to-be-true-diet-drug-that-probably-is/
The exercise pill: Another ‘too good to be true’ diet drug that probably is
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, and we’re betting you have, but scientists are claiming to have developed an “exercise pill” which dupes your cells into believing that your body, while at rest, is actually exerting all kinds of serious effort, thus triggering the same increased rate of fat-burnoff that takes place naturally when you exercise vigorously. The result is that you burn calories at a terrific rate without being required to actually expend any great effort.
In short: by means of a simple daily pill, the obese could shed weight without having to either diet or exercise!
Glory hallelujah, right?
Unfortunately, this basic scientific announcement has become as annual and ultimately irrelevant an event as Punxsutawney Phil’s behavior on Groundhog Day.
This iteration of the Miracle Weight Loss Drug breakthrough carries rather more credibility than the average hoopla, given that the drug was developed by Dr. Ronald Evans of the Salk Institute in San Diego, an institution of lofty scientific pedigree. Moreover, Dr. Evans is a researcher in genetics, and uses phrases like “chemical metabolic engineering” instead of “potential miracle potion,” thus boosting the likelihood that his findings are legitimate.
But before those of us nimble enough to do so click up our heels with joy, there are the usual unavoidable caveats to consider. Without even knowing the scientific particulars of this new drug, we know the following drawbacks exist.
Similar announcements, from similar serious professionals with sterling credentials, have been made in the past. They’ve invariably been premature, and as things worked out, wrong. This is because…
Each new drug’s fabulous weight-loss results have only been achieved in lab animals; usually, as in this case, mice. Scientists have been ameliorating, curing, eliminating, or reversing health problems and diseases in mice for years without being able to reproduce the results in anything on two legs.
The Law of Unintended Consequences almost guarantees that there will be undesirable long-term side effects, either from the ingredients of the drug itself, or from millions of pill-takers blithely and recklessly consuming even more unhealthful foods and exercising even less than they already do. A resounding increase in widespread sloth and gluttony, even if it doesn’t cause us to gain an ounce, is probably not in our best interests, as individuals or a society.
(By Robert S. Wieder for CalorieLab Calorie Counter News)