10 Minutes is All It Takes?

Exercise Triggers Metabolic Changes

According to a groundbreaking new study, conducted by Dr. Robert Gerszten of Massachusetts General Hospital, just ten minutes of brisk exercise helps trigger metabolic changes in our bodies that last for at least one hour. Dr. Gerszten’s study went on to conclude that the more fit an individual is the more likely he/she is to derive these metabolic benefits.

Dr. Gerszten and his team are pioneers in a new field of study called Metabolomics. In a sense, the researchers involved in this new field of study are striving to create a metabolic profile of humans in order to answer such questions as: Are some people biologically predisposed to getting more benefits out of exercise than others? What exactly is the physiological process that brings about the metabolic benefits of exercise? How does eating a healthy diet contribute to the overall health benefits of exercise?

The ultimate goal of Metabolomics is to one day find genetic patterns that help identify individuals’ risk for certain diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, and provide medical professionals with new ways of treating them. However, it is important to note that even pioneers such as Dr. Gerszten and his team are quick to point out that, “We’re only beginning to catalog the metabolic variability between people”.

Despite the fact that Dr. Greszten’s study was a relatively small study, consisting of only 70 participants, he is extremely pleased with the results. Dr. Greszten, whose ultimate goal is to help improve cardiac care, had the following to say about the application of his study’s findings, “We have a chemical snapshot of what the more fit person looks like. Now we have to see if making someone’s metabolism look like that snapshot, whether or not that’s going to improve their performance”.

However, Metabolomics researcher Dr. Debbie Muoio of Duke University Medical Center was quick to point out,”Don’t expect a pill to ever substitute for a workout. The new work shows how complicated the body’s response to exercise is”.

We all have 10 minutes to spare. So, besides being new and interesting this research also highlights the fact that we can not use “lack of time” as an excuse for not working out.

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