Aging and Human Longevity

ISBN-13: 9780817638757 / Angielski / Miękka / 1996 / 284 str.

Marie-Francoise Schulz-Aellen

Opis

This text combines a scientific and medical description of ageing with a critical review of ways to prolong life. The first part gives an overview of the complex biological mechanisms of ageing, while the second part evaluates the various means that may slow down the effects of ageing.

Spis treści

I: The Mechanisms of Aging.- 1 Variability of life span between species.- Methods to quantify life span.- Life span of humans.- Life spans of invertebrates.- Life span of cells in culture.- Are some plants or animal species immortal?.- 2 Factors that influence human longevity.- Genetic influence on longevity.- Influence of personality, social class and social interactions.- The role of happiness and marriage.- Sexuality.- The role of stress.- Diseases of premature aging.- A note on diseases and longevity.- 3 Structural and physiological changes occurring with age.- Major functional systems.- Connective tissue.- Nervous system.- Endocrine system.- Biological clocks and circadian rhythmicity.- Immune system.- Aging of intracellular functions.- Homeostasis and multisystem regulation.- 4 Theories of aging.- Stochastic theories.- Programmed theories.- Overview of aging theories.- 5 Mechanisms of cellular aging.- Intrinsic mechanisms.- The influence of genes and chromosomes on health and longevity.- Human genetic diseases due to somatic mutations.- DNA methylation.- DNA and protein glycation.- Garbage molecules.- Extrinsic mechanisms.- Free radicals.- Effects of radiation.- 6 Apoptosis, disease, and senescence.- Conclusion of Part I.- II: The Prolongation of Life.- 1 Life extension.- Life extension in nonhuman species.- Food restriction in nonhuman species.- Life extension in humans.- Human studies on food restriction.- 2 The role of diet in longevity.- Recommendations.- Perspectives.- Vitamin supplements.- Mineral supplements.- Unsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.- 3 Antioxidants and the chemoprevention of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.- Vitamins, minerals, coenzyme Q10.- Aspirin.- 4 Life styles.- Social network.- Sexuality.- Physical exercise.- Smoking.- Alcohol consumption.- Controlling stress.- 5 Substitution of endogenous compounds and hormones.- Melatonin.- Thymus hormones.- Sex hormones.- Dihydroepiandrosterone.- Human growth hormone.- 6 Medications and alternative medicine.- Anti-aging medications.- Alternative medicine.- 7 Surgical strategies.- Plastic surgery.- Replacement of body parts.- 8 Perspectives in the detection and treatment of diseases.- Biotechnology contributions in medicine and gene therapy.- Contribution of genetic engineering techniques to medicine.- Application of gene therapy to neurological diseases.- New targets for drug therapy.- Conclusion.- Relevant books on aging.- References.