Drugs vs. Exercise

Well, we always knew – but there’s nothing like an article in the British Medical Journal to prove a point – published yesterday the article states: Conclusions, although limited in quantity, existing randomised trial evidence on exercise interventions suggests that exercise and many drug interventions are often potentially similar in terms of their mortality benefits in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease, rehabilitation after stroke, treatment of heart failure, and prevention of diabetes. So – this means that although the experiment had limited numbers there is no measurable difference between using drugs or doing exercise for patients who have Coronary heart disease and want to prevent further trouble, for those rehabilitating after a stroke, for treating heart failure and for preventing diabetes. Bit of an obvious choice if you ask me – drugs almost invariably have side effects and aim to ‘treat’ a certain condition. Exercise treats the whole body, and its direct effects are multiple; lifts mood, keeps mobile, manages weight (and so reduces risk of many diseases), increases energy levels, improves self esteem and its cheap! According to ‘NHS Choices’ web site: It's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have: • up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke • up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes • up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer • up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer • a 30% lower risk of early death • up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis • up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture • a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults) • up to a 30% lower risk of depression • up to a 30% lower risk of dementia “If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented,” says Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant. So all of you that exercise regularly (about 150 mins a week) – think of the good you are doing yourself. Need help and advice to get more active? - Just contact us