Expert: John Shea - 1/15/2008

Question
Tell me more.
I have practiced medicine and rheumatology for 40 years plus have a real interest in skiing and exercise.
Should we encourage much more vigorous exercise or rely on pills. Where are our basic concepts?

Answer
Dear Earl
I strongly urge you to take this question up with a qualified physician.  I am an anthropologist and what follows is my OPINION only.  Please do not do anything of a medical nature on the basis of my opinions.
From an evolutionary standpoint, exercise is better than pills.  We've been exercising for millions of years but popping pills (or their equivalents) for ony the last millennium or two.  But, the exercise has to start at an early age and continue through adulthood, as it did for our Pleistocene ancestors.  As I am sure you have seen, older individuals who make a sudden break with a sedentary lifestyle and take up vigourous exercise end up permanently sedentary (i.e., dead). The key for such individuals is to start slowly, to build up muscle and bone mass using calcium supplements as recommended by their physicians. Most hunter-gatherer diets are rich enough in calcium to require no supplements.
Sincerely,
John Shea