Linda getting her exercise, Rams Hill, 2009
Mice are very cute. Currently
I have several running around in the guest quarters of my Borrego place. They ignore my traps, baited with cheese and
peanut butter, and instead invade my stash of chocolate-covered nuts and any
scraps of food left on the table. I hate
to expel or kill them, but I am afraid no one will visit me if they are
required to sleep with rodents.
So, mice are the dominate theme in a new cancer study
described in The Economist. Here it is:
The question here is why does exercise protect against
cancer? Apparently the fact that it
does is old news, although it was new news to me. To find out, a hard-hearted scientist from
Denver performed a series of fiendish experiments on our tiny furry friends. It transpires that exercise stimulates the
production of both epinephrine (adrenalin) and something called interleukin-6
(a small signaling protein). Both are
active in the immune system. Mice that
were allowed to exercise had high levels of these things, and better luck with
cancer – 74% better than their fat, indolent cousins. So, problem solved: exercise enhances the
supply of things that, in turn, activate the weapons of the immune system:
cytotoxic T-cells were mentioned. So,
great – get out there and sweat!
But how about me?
Well, I used to average about 20 miles of jogging per week,
and later on I went hiking every chance I could - and I didn’t get cancer! Now, however, I am lucky to walk 2
miles a week, and that very slowly.
Could they, I wonder, produce a soft drink heavy to epinephrine and
interleukin-6 for us old farts? Maybe put
it in a snazzy bottle and give it a cute name.
How about Eau de Youth?
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