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Searching... Sugar Grove - Todd Library | Book | RM725 .F66 2020 | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
Aging, despite its dismal reputation, is actually one of the great mysteries of the universe. Why don't we just reproduce, then exit fast, like salmon? Could aging just be one big evolutionary accident? Is senescence, the gradual falling apart of our bodies, at least partially avoidable? Can we extend the healthy lifespan and reduce the lingering, debilitating effects of senescence?
In this book, investigative health journalist Judy Foreman suggests that we actually can, and the key element is exercise, through its myriad effects on dozens of molecules in the brain, the muscles, and other organs. It's no secret, of course, that exercise is good for you and that exercise can extend longevity. What Foreman uncovers through extensive research into evolutionary biology, exercise physiology, and the new field of geroscience is exactly why exercise is so powerful - the mechanisms now being discovered that account for the vast and varied effects of exercise all over the body. Though Foreman also delves into pills designed to combat aging and so-called exercise "mimetics," or pills that purport to produce the effects of exercise without the sweat, her resounding conclusion is that exercise itself is by far the most effective, and safest, strategy for promoting a long, healthy life. In addition to providing a fascinating look at the science of exercise's effects on the body, Foreman also provides answers to the most commonly asked practical questions about exercise.
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Readers looking for an impetus to start exercising will find it in this accessible and well-organized book from health journalist Foreman (The Global Pain Crisis). She begins with a quick overview of the science of aging, explaining how it manifests on a cellular level, and ends chapter one with this chilling declaration: "Removing exercise from our environment is like removing air: You get sick." The book's pace then picks up as Foreman covers a wide array of subjects, giving encouraging insights into the positive effects exercise can have on diabetes, obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol. The penultimate chapter is especially helpful, covering topics such as what happens when one stops exercising, and the relationship between excessive weight and fitness, and beta-blockers and exercise. Throughout, Foreman includes "Inspirational Tales," research studies, and boxed sidebars covering chapter-related topics. While it's a bit disruptive to have bibliographic notes at each chapter's conclusion--some running close to 20 pages--the plethora of sources Foreman includes is a testament to her depth of research. Foreman's primer will be both educational and deeply motivational for the aspiring fitness enthusiast. (Dec.)
Booklist Review
""Exercise is the closest thing there is to a magic bullet for preventing disease and disability, maximizing health and prolonging life."" And it's free! Just two-and-half hours of moderate exercise weekly can increase one's lifespan by three-and-a-half years. On the other hand, sedentary lifestyles are a greater predictor of premature death than the usual suspects, smoking, obesity, and diabetes. Furthermore, health columnist Foreman (A Nation in Pain, 2014) writes, a projected 25-percent of cancers worldwide are linked to a lack of activity and being overweight. Foreman's treatise on the benefits of exercise is packed with useful and intriguing information, though it can get a bit too technical. Sections focus on exercise and immunity, mood, cancer, muscle and bone, the heart, and gut bacteria. One chapter is strikingly titled ""Sitting Kills."" Consider that only one hour of running can add about seven hours to life expectancy. Foreman covers possible risks, but the connection between fitness and health is indisputable. Moderate exercise is an awesome ally. Make it your BFF.--Tony Miksanek Copyright 2019 Booklist
Table of Contents
| Acknowledgments | p. ix |
| Introduction | p. xiii |
| How to Read This Book | p. xvii |
| Chapter 1 Aging | p. 1 |
| Chapter 2 Run for Your Life | p. 21 |
| Chapter 3 Sitting Kills | p. 35 |
| Chapter 4 The Heart of the Matter | p. 47 |
| Chapter 5 The Energy-Converting Machine | p. 69 |
| Chapter 6 Bigger, Better, Stronger | p. 87 |
| Chapter 7 Boning Up | p. 99 |
| Chapter 8 Exercise and Cognition | p. 109 |
| Chapter 9 Exercise and Mood | p. 129 |
| Chapter 10 It Takes Guts: Exercise and the Microbiome | p. 143 |
| Chapter 11 Immunity, Inflammation, and Exercise | p. 151 |
| Chapter 12 Exercise and Cancer | p. 161 |
| Chapter 13 Those Tiny, Telltale Telomeres | p. 175 |
| Chapter 14 Exercise and Anti-Aging Pills | p. 193 |
| Chapter 15 The Nitty Gritty: Q & A | p. 205 |
| Chapter 16 Dodging Bullets | p. 227 |
| Appendix: Determining Your "Fitness Age" | p. 229 |
| References | p. 231 |
| Index | p. 341 |