We recently put Doctor McGuff’s poignant post on our home page https://wefit.ca – now more than ever it is of paramount importance. The following is a short excerpt getting to the heart of his message:

Doctor McGuff is talking about myokines and cytokines. Myokines oppose the inflammatory cytokines. These cytokines are largely responsible for the inappropriate immunological response to an infection like COVID-19.

Myokines are released specifically when your muscles and bones experience our type of exercise. (Controlled and sustained high tension).

Thus a lack of muscle and strength is directly linked to suffering and mortality caused by disease. Clearly sarcopenia (age related muscle loss) is a symptom of weakness AND immune system frailty.

You can find out more about the health protecting function of myokines in studies such as:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422014000705

“Myokines are recently recognized as potential candidates for treating metabolic diseases through their ability to stimulate AMP-activated protein kinase signaling, increase glucose uptake, and improve lipolysis. Myokines may have positive effects on metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes, or obesity.”

Be well, be strong,

Andrew and Tierney