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.
“Research on the potent effects of exercise on aging and health has been accumulating so dizzyingly fast that few of us, including most doctors, are up to speed on this vital topic. Thankfully, Foreman’s book is an up-to-date, comprehensive, and jargon-free review of the overwhelming evidence that exercise really is phenomenal medicine. This book will enlighten and inspire you.”
—Daniel E. Lieberman, chair of the department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and author of The Story of the Human Body: Evolution, Health, and Disease
“Get this book, as it brings the latest science to life in a readable and exciting way. It will add to your motivation to get and stay moving and leave the reader wanting more.”
—John Ratey, clinical professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
“Judy Foreman makes a convincing case for exercise as the best medicine. Expertly researched and engagingly written, the book delves into the science of how physical activity can counter the effects of aging from a broad perspective.”
—Martin Gibala, professor of kinesiology, McMaster University and author of The One Minute Workout: Science Shows a Way to Get Fit That’s Smarter, Faster, Shorter
“Readers looking for an impetus to start exercising will find it in this accessible and well-organized book … 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.”
—Publishers Weekly