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Can This Drug Turn You Into a Super Athlete?

Posted by on Nov 17, 2006 | 3 Comments

It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of the big pharmaceutical companies and their expensive drugs. But I’m not a complete Luddite. I believe that less is more, but I don’t like to keep my head in the sand when it comes to major developments – especially when they come from outside the normal corporate channels.

When The New York Times came out yesterday and wrote about a drug with the potential to turn anyone into a super athlete with twice their normal endurance, I sat up (from my comfy chair) and took notice.

We’re not talking steroids here. We’re talking about Resveratrol, a component of red wine (of all things).

One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don’t do anything at all

This isn’t a new Red Bull concoction. We’re talking about something that’s also been shown to protect lab mice against degenerative diseases and extend their lifespans.

I haven’t seen any human-based studies on Resveratrol, just yet… but hey, I’m willing to give it a whirl… while it’s still legal, that is…
[tags]Go Ask Alice, Red Bull, Resveratrol[/tags]

  • Jason

    Nothing on humans yet, but on many more animals than just mice. The evidence so far is really positive:
    http://hubpages.com/hub/Resveratrol

  • Jerry

    Dan,

    You may not be a “fan” of big pharma and their expensive drugs. The drive-media has certainly been targeting pharma for years.

    I ask, how much is a life worth? Plus, we are living longer and better today than ever before. In large part, you can thank research-based big pharma for that. Certainly, the generic houses get zero credit as they only imitate, not innovate.

    Everyone wants the big house, big cars, big paycheck..and most everyone gripes about a copay or (gasp!) paying cash out of their pocket for medicine that may extend their life or at least improve it (where they can then continue to greedily consume the fun stuff).

    BTW, to produce one drug the costs exceed that of a single space shuttle mission. And, for every one drug that actually makes through years of study and FDA clearance many others studied don’t make it even though millions are spent attempting approval. All other industries recoup their investments do they not?

    How is big pharma any different?

    JH

  • http://www.geekbooks.com/ Dan Gray

    Hi Jerry -

    Hey, I touched a nerve! :)

    I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you work for a big pharma, no? Living here in the swamps of Joisey, many of my neighbors are employed by the great pharmalopolis. Many of them live in big houses, drive big cars, and pull down big salaries.

    Ah, but not me … I’m into small houses, small cars, and self-employment.

    I have a simple philosophy. Folks who focus on eating and living in a more intelligent manner, will improve their general well-being.

    I’m not part of the “drive-media”. I’ve sworn off drive-through fast food emporiums. I will no longer poison myself with crap, so my doctor can forget about prescribing a lifetime of Lipitor.

    I’m not painting the big pharmaceutical companies as all bad. Far from it. They do PLENTY of good. But there is PLENTY of greed and waste, too.

    Cheers,
    Dan