TNFa* is an inflammatory substance we produce that is the culprit behind unwanted cell death,**(including that of muscles,) arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, atherosclerosis and other inflammatory conditions. Now a new scientific discovery reveals that muscles also produce a helpful product, IL-6.***, which counteracts the harmful TNFa.

"It....seems likely that skeletal muscle produces IL-6 to aid in maintaining metabolic 'balance]....during periods of....muscular exercise or insulin stimulation," the scientists report. And then their blockbuster--"IL-6 may be used as a therapeutic drug in treating metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis." 'Emphasis added.] A drug may not be necessary, because we can produce it on our own by certain types of exercise.

"The appearance of IL-6 into the circulation depends on several factors including exercise intensity, duration, and mode....Nielson et al. 'Amer. J. of Physiology] observed a twofold increase in plasma IL-6 after only 6 minutes of maximal rowing exercise....Two studies have compared running with cycling exercise."Running created more than cycling in these, 'due to] "the recruitment of more muscle groups." "Indeed," they added, "during studies using either one or two legged ....knee extension exercise....the appearance of IL-6 ....is observed later and is less pronounced compared with exercise that results in the recruitment of more 'muscle] units.

There's more. "Wallenius 'Nature Medicine] demonstrated than IL-6-deficient 'animals] developed mature onset obesity compared with 'normal control animals.]"

The medical scientists came to the conclusion that IL-6 is anti-inflammatory and inhibits the harmful activities of TNFa and thus could be helpful against atherosclerosis, diabetes and obesity. Running, as opposed to other exercise appears to stimulate IL-6.

*Tumor Necrosis Factor a.
**unwanted programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Some apoptosis is normal.
***Interleukin-6.

Exercise, But What Kind? Exercise May Help Against Disease Bibliography

Amer. J. of Physiology Nielson et al.

FASEB Journal, vol. 16, no.11, 2002. Drs. Febbraio and Pedersen, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, U. of Copenhagen, Denmark and Dept. of Physiology, U. of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.