23. The Anaerobic Epidemic
Many people use the body’s anaerobic system in an effort to keep
up with the fast pace of a stressful life, often leaving the healthy aer-
obic system behind. Anaerobic muscle fibers provide us with the
power and speed we sometimes need in the course of the day. When
we see great athletes on TV or in ads, it’s often their anaerobic quali-
ties that we find so impressive — speed, power and big muscles. The
problem is that many people seek out this type of body at the expense
of their aerobic systems, and therefore their health.
In order to be both fit and healthy, anaerobic function must be
balanced with aerobic function. Unfortunately, many who exercise are
willing to improve their anaerobic systems even at the risk of losing
aerobic function. Muscle machines, gyms with mirrors, and promises
of “abs of steel” attract many customers. Bulking up has become anal-
ogous with health but often ends with poor health. Worse yet, we are
educating our children to follow the same path by promoting no-
pain, no-gain philosophies.
The anaerobic system includes the anaerobic muscle fibers, along
with the related mechanisms used during high-stress activity. This
includes increased sugar-burning, reduced fat-burning, and stress.
While we can’t survive without this mechanism, it’s the imbalance
that’s the problem.
The imbalances caused by excess anaerobic function, physically
developed through anaerobic exercise, can result frequently in
injuries, illness, metabolic and hormonal imbalances, and added
stress on the nervous system. You don’t want to turn off this system,
or neglect it; but balance it with the aerobic system.
Interestingly, the same type of imbalance can also occur in some-
one who is physically inactive. The out-of-shape person must rely on
one of the energy systems, but because the aerobic system is not