The Science Of Hormesis In Health And Longevity

The Science of Hormesis in Health and Longevity provides a comprehensive review of mild stress-induced physiological hormesis and its role in the maintenance and promotion of health. Coverage includes the underlying mechanisms of hormesis, including details of stress-response signaling, an enriched environment, positive challenges and dose-response mechanisms, amongst others. Research from top experts is presented to provide suggestions for developing novel therapeutic strategies, along with lifestyle interventions to promote health and homoeostasis. Researchers in aging and physiology, gerontologists, clinicians and medical students will find this a valuable addition for their work. Provides a comprehensive, scholarly review of the current state of hormesis in physiology, health, disease and aging Includes multiple perspectives and in-depth analysis by top experts involved in cutting-edge research to provide developing, novel therapeutic strategies, as well as lifestyle interventions Offers a clear understanding of hormesis’ underlying mechanisms, including details of stress-response signaling, an enriched environment, positive challenges, dose-response mechanisms, and more

Hormesis is a poorly understood phenomenon affecting all forms of life on earth. This groundbreaking book summarizes and analyzes the various positives of hormesis in an attempt to reveal hormesis as a fundamental principle of biomedical sciences as a whole.

This edited volume aims to better understand the multifaceted phenomenon we call health. Going beyond simple views of health as the absence of disease or as complete well-being, this book unites scientists and philosophers. The contributions clarify the links between health and adaptation, robustness, resilience, or dynamic homeostasis, and discuss how to achieve health and healthy aging through practices such as hormesis. The book is divided into three parts and a conclusion: the first part explains health from within specific disciplines, the second part explores health from the perspective of a bodily part, system, function, or even the environment in which organisms live, and the final part looks at more clinical or practical perspectives. It thereby gathers, across 30 chapters, diverse perspectives from the broad fields of evolutionary and systems biology, immunology, and biogerontology, more specific areas such as odontology, cardiology, neurology, and public health, as well as philosophical reflections on mental health, sexuality, authenticity and medical theories. The overarching aim is to inform, inspire and encourage intellectuals from various disciplines to assess whether explanations in these disparate fields and across biological levels can be sufficiently systematized and unified to clarify the complexity of health. It will be particularly useful for medical graduates, philosophy graduates and research professionals in the life sciences and general medicine, as well as for upper-level graduate philosophy of science students.

This edited volume aims to better understand the multifaceted phenomenon we call health. Going beyond simple views of health as the absence of disease or as complete well-being, this book unites scientists and philosophers. The contributions clarify the links between health and adaptation, robustness, resilience, or dynamic homeostasis, and discuss how to achieve health and healthy aging through practices such as hormesis. The book is divided into three parts and a conclusion: the first part explains health from within specific disciplines, the second part explores health from the perspective of a bodily part, system, function, or even the environment in which organisms live, and the final part looks at more clinical or practical perspectives. It thereby gathers, across 30 chapters, diverse perspectives from the broad fields of evolutionary and systems biology, immunology, and biogerontology, more specific areas such as odontology, cardiology, neurology, and public health, as well as philosophical reflections on mental health, sexuality, authenticity and medical theories. The overarching aim is to inform, inspire and encourage intellectuals from various disciplines to assess whether explanations in these disparate fields and across biological levels can be sufficiently systematized and unified to clarify the complexity of health. It will be particularly useful for medical graduates, philosophy graduates and research professionals in the life sciences and general medicine, as well as for upper-level graduate philosophy of science students.

People have searched for the fountain of youth everywhere from Bimini to St. Augustine. But for a steadfast group of scientists, the secret to a long life lies elsewhere: in the lowly lab worm. By suppressing the function of just a few key genes, these scientists were able to lengthen worms’ lifespans up to tenfold, while also controlling the onset of many of the physical problems that beset old age. As the global population ages, the potential impact of this discovery on society is vast—as is the potential for profit. With The Longevity Seekers, science writer Ted Anton takes readers inside this tale that began with worms and branched out to snare innovative minds from California to Crete, investments from big biotech, and endorsements from TV personalities like Oprah and Dr. Oz. Some of the research was remarkable, such as the discovery of an enzyme in humans that stops cells from aging. And some, like an oft-cited study touting the compound resveratrol, found in red wine—proved highly controversial, igniting a science war over truth, credit, and potential profit. As the pace of discovery accelerated, so too did powerful personal rivalries and public fascination, driven by the hope that a longer, healthier life was right around the corner. Anton has spent years interviewing and working with the scientists at the frontier of longevity science, and this book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the state-of-the-art research and the impact it might have on global public health, society, and even our friends and family. With spectacular science and an unforgettable cast of characters, The Longevity Seekers has all the elements of a great story and sheds light on discoveriesthat could fundamentally reshape human life.

“Why do we grow old? . . . Verburgh tackles this age-old question . . . with practical suggestions for how to slow down our biological clock.” —David Ludwig, MD, PhD, #1 New York Times–bestselling author Do you know exactly how and why you age? And what you can do—whatever your current age—to slow that process and have a longer, healthier life? In The Longevity Code, medical doctor Kris Verburgh illuminates the biological mechanisms that make our bodies susceptible to heart attacks, dementia, diabetes, and other aging-related diseases. With the facts laid out, he provides the tools we need to slow down the aging process. His scientifically backed Longevity Staircase outlines a simple yet innovative step-by-step method offering better health and a longer life span– especially the crucial role of proper nutrition and exercise. But diet and exercise might not be the only way to crack the “longevity code”: With each passing day, advances in biotechnology that were once the stuff of science fiction are emerging. Dr. Verburgh discusses how new types of vaccines, mitochondrial DNA, CRISPR proteins, and stem cells may help us slow and even reverse aging—now and in the future—and when paired with the right lifestyle, lead to longer, healthier lives than we’ve ever imagined. “Verburgh examines how we age and takes a valuable look at ethical issues surrounding the prevention of aging.” —Library Journal

Whereas chronic stress has well known harmful effects, recent research shows that intermittent exposure of cells and organisms to mild stress can improve various biological parameters. This book brings together some of the world leaders in this area of research who present a critical analysis of the ongoing research with respect to the effects and mechanisms of action of various types of mild stress. Novel approaches to improving health and longevity are introduced.

Food or calorie restriction has been shown in many short-lived animals and the rhesus monkey to prolong life-span. Life-long nutrition studies are not possible in humans because of their long survival. Studies over two to six years in healthy adult humans have, however, shown that a 20% reduction in food or calorie intake slows many indices of normal and disease-related aging. Thus, it is widely believed that long-term reduction in calorie or food intake will delay the onset of age-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer, and so prolong life. Over the last 20 or more years there has been a progressive rise in food intake in many countries of the world, accompanied by a rising incidence of obesity. Thus our increasing food and calorie intake has been linked to the rising incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in early adult life. It is accepted that overeating, accompanied by reduced physical exercise, will lead to more age-related diseases and shortening of life-span. The answer is to reduce our calorie intake, improve our diet, and exercise more. But calorie restriction is extremely difficult to maintain for long periods. How then can we solve this problem? Edited by a team of highly distinguished academics, this book provides the latest information on the beneficial effects of calorie restriction on health and life-span. This book brings us closer to an understanding at the molecular, cellular and whole organism level of the way forward.