For many years, it has been known that when rats and mice are given a reduced amount of food, their life span is increased and they remain healthy and vigorous at advanced ages.

What is the reason for this change in the usual pattern of aging? The evidence is overwhelming that the life extension results from a slowing of aging processes. And the factor responsible is the decrease in caloric intake. The obvious question: How does this factor work? A good question - and the reason that research on the anti-aging action of caloric restriction is today one of the most studied research areas in...

This volume provides the non-biologist an overview of what is known about the physiological bases of aging. The author examines the many basic theories and emerging hypotheses underlying the molecular, cellular, and systemic processes involved in senescence. He addresses the normal physiological changes that characterize the aging phenotype, and also considers the role of many age-associated diseases in growing older. Masoro synthesizes a much-needed "unified theory" of biological aging to which explains how and why the body grows into the condition we call "old." This text is intended for...