Synopses & Reviews
People in developed countries are living longer and, just as the aged population around the world is steadily growing, the number of adults eighty-five and older in the United States is projected to quadruple to twenty-one million people by 2050. The aging of our population has huge implications for baby boomers and their children, and has generated a greater interest in the causes and effects of aging.
Our Aging Bodiesand#160;provides a clear, scientifically based explanation of what happens to all the major organ systems and bodily processesandmdash;such as the cardiovascular and digestive systemsandmdash;as people age. The first section is an overview of secondary agingandmdash;changes that occur with age that are related to disease and the environmentandmdash;and include the effect of such things as diet, humor, and exercise. Readers will also learn about primary agingandmdash;intrinsic changes that occur with the aging of specific organs and body systems (including the prostate, the heart, the digestive system, and the brain). Throughout the book, Gary F. Merrill weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that help clarify and reinforce the facts and principles of the underlying scientific processes and explanations.and#160;Our Aging Bodiesand#160;is accessible to a general reader interested in the aging phenomenon, or baby boomers wanting to be more informed when seeing their doctor and discussing changes to their bodies as they age.
Review
andquot;Professor Merrill has written an important book on how various parts of the body change with aging. He has taught human systems physiology for some forty years and is very knowledgeable. An important and#39;take-homeand#39; message is that we can live a longer, healthier life if we treat our bodies carefully, and he tells us what we have to do. A point he makes is that many new medications advertised to treat various symptoms should be taken with caution. An expert on the inflammatory response, he discusses its negative impact on aging.andquot;
Review
andquot;Gary F. Merrill, a professor of cell biology and neuroscience at Rutgers University, presents abundantly fascinating scientific information about the human aging process. Written for a lay audience, this book describes in detail the adverse effects of unhealthy choices on human longevity. Our Aging Bodies explains how the human body develops, matures, ages, and declines and will benefit those interested in improving their health, well-being, and longevity.andquot;
Review
andquot;Rutgers University cardiovascular physiologist Merrill authoritatively spells out how getting older changes the bodyandrsquo;s major organs. This veteran of four decades of teaching sprinkles his informative guide with fascinating tidbits. A recurring theme: stay slim and donandrsquo;t overeat, because
restricting calories appears to extend longevity. Merrill [offers] a good, scientifically sound addition to the growing number of books on aging.andquot;
Synopsis
Our Aging Bodies provides a clear, scientifically based explanation of what happens to all the major organ systems and bodily processes as people age. Throughout the book, Gary F. Merrill weaves in personal anecdotes and stories that help clarify and reinforce the facts and principles of the underlying scientific processes and explanations. Accessible to a general reader interested in the aging process, this book will also educate anyone wishing to have a more informed discussion with their physician.
About the Author
GARY F. MERRILL is a professor of cell biology and neuroscience in the Division of Life Sciences at Rutgers University and is the author of Our Marvelous Bodies: An Introduction to the Physiology of Human Health.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; How We Age
2and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Nervous System
3and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Endocrine System
4and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Immune System
5and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Reproductive System
6and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Urinary System
7and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Gastrointestinal System
8and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Musculoskeletal System
9and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Cardiovascular System
10and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160;and#160; The Aging Respiratory System