2008 Woodie Awards
Enjoy it in Bad Health
Jessica Chen
Issue date: 9/27/06 Section: Opinion
Way back in the day, before Atkins and electric massage fitness belts, we used to
believe in a concept called, "Eat right and
exercise." However, with the advent of prescription drugs that fix everything from insomnia to weight loss, eating right and exercising are no longer necessary.
The new anti-diabetic drug, Rosiglitazone has been tested to prevent Type II diabetes by 60 percent. Type II diabetes patients don't make enough insulin, which is the hormone that takes up excess glucose in the bloodstream. It essentially increases the
insulin-sensitivity in patients, thus causing more glucose to be removed from the blood. The Los Angeles Times called its benefits as "similar to diet, exercise." But popping a pill in your mouth is neither a diet nor exercise.
The majority of Americans are lazy and want a quick fix. Instead of changing our lifestyles, we now turn to prescription drugs that simulate the benefits of healthy living. Although it may not solve the
problem, it works for the time being and that is enough to convince a lot of people.
As a result, researchers spend lifetimes researching these quick fixes and get their names printed in medical journals. This outputs a plethora of questionable medication born not out of necessity, but out of the sake of finding surrogates for eating right, exercise and holistic health. A drug that mimics diet and exercise seems to be a reaction to America's laziness. So it seems the more research we conduct and the more knowledge we get, the lazier we become.
In addition, the side effects of these medications create complications. Rosglitizone causes fluid build-up, increasing the risk of congestive heart failure. Of course, there are drugs for that too. They're called Zocor, Lipitor or Crestor. But those drugs have side effects too: insomnia, bronchitis, depression, etc. But there are drugs that treat all of those conditions too, thus creating a never-ending pill-filled cycle that ends with multi-pill cocktails.
It is a backwards theology to treat the symptoms and ignore the ailment. We are too readily settling for a pseudonym for healthy living.
believe in a concept called, "Eat right and
exercise." However, with the advent of prescription drugs that fix everything from insomnia to weight loss, eating right and exercising are no longer necessary.
The new anti-diabetic drug, Rosiglitazone has been tested to prevent Type II diabetes by 60 percent. Type II diabetes patients don't make enough insulin, which is the hormone that takes up excess glucose in the bloodstream. It essentially increases the
insulin-sensitivity in patients, thus causing more glucose to be removed from the blood. The Los Angeles Times called its benefits as "similar to diet, exercise." But popping a pill in your mouth is neither a diet nor exercise.
The majority of Americans are lazy and want a quick fix. Instead of changing our lifestyles, we now turn to prescription drugs that simulate the benefits of healthy living. Although it may not solve the
problem, it works for the time being and that is enough to convince a lot of people.
As a result, researchers spend lifetimes researching these quick fixes and get their names printed in medical journals. This outputs a plethora of questionable medication born not out of necessity, but out of the sake of finding surrogates for eating right, exercise and holistic health. A drug that mimics diet and exercise seems to be a reaction to America's laziness. So it seems the more research we conduct and the more knowledge we get, the lazier we become.
In addition, the side effects of these medications create complications. Rosglitizone causes fluid build-up, increasing the risk of congestive heart failure. Of course, there are drugs for that too. They're called Zocor, Lipitor or Crestor. But those drugs have side effects too: insomnia, bronchitis, depression, etc. But there are drugs that treat all of those conditions too, thus creating a never-ending pill-filled cycle that ends with multi-pill cocktails.
It is a backwards theology to treat the symptoms and ignore the ailment. We are too readily settling for a pseudonym for healthy living.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Dan Limke
posted 9/27/06 @ 7:31 PM PST
Uh...so I'm diabetic because I'm lazy?
Your generalizations are sad, ignorant and pathetic.
Boo.
dphen
posted 9/28/06 @ 12:36 AM PST
Ignorance is bliss!!!! If diabetes could be prevented it could definitely significantly lower the governments burden on the majority of cardiovascular diseases that are associated with diabetes which in some opinions is a strong pro. (Continued…)
John Keys
posted 9/29/06 @ 8:26 AM PST
While I agree most whole-heartedly with Ms. Chen's statement that pills are not exercise, I even applaud her for her underlying derision of substituting good medicines for good life-style. (Continued…)
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