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by Mikhail Berman (Author), Carol K. Slonimsky (Illustrator), Naphtali D. Rishe (Consultant)
The author describes in simple terms the process of development of an organism, and the phenomenon of Aging as final stage of this process, as postulated by Neuroendocrine theory of Aging. The body is compared to a society consisting of trillions of cells as its citizens, and brain as its government. Based on the fact that the aging process causes disregulation in all 3 major systems of the body, namely procreation, energy exchange and adaptation, the cause of aging is traced to changes in the hypothalamus, the main regulator of the body. It provides an explanation of how two mutually exclusive states, the stability of internal environment and the change, necessary for the development of an organisms can coexist at the same time.
The book makes easy to understand the mechanism behind self regulation of the body by explanation of the negative feedback principle and its role in the aging. It provides explanation of functions of main hormones and mechanisms of their actions as well as their role in the development of nine normal diseases of aging. The origin and mechanism of Stress as the general defense mechanism is followed by lively description of the hormone interplay underlying Stress.
Normal diseases of aging such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, immune decline, autoimmune disease, psychological depression, chronic state of stress and cancer are viewed not as separate conditions, but as different manifestations of the major single disease, called Aging. The knowledge acquired after reading this book will help readers to address and mitigate the phenomenon of aging with more understanding and logic.
