Interesting look at connection of exercise and body chemistry (3.6*s)
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This book is yet another look at aging, in this time of boomers reaching retirement, that is both breezy, on the part of retired lawyer Crowley, and watered-down scientific, on the part on gerontologist Lodge. Their concern is that the typical deterioration of a person's physical plant (body) and the onset of common afflictions, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and complications from falls, are entirely unnecessary and actually abnormal. They point out that the body is in a constant state of decay and growth, and that it is entirely possible to nurture the growth cycle in such a way that a person's body can resist decline and be healthy and strong well into one's eighties.
Now comes the disheartening part for those hooked on medicines for well-being. Their prescription for life transformation is vigorous exercise six days a week, and preferably seven. Aerobic exercise at either low or high intensity levels must be done for a minimum of one hour at least four days a week and some form of weightlifting at least twice a week. This is not optional. Vigorous exercise is completely in accordance with our body's chemistry developed over millions of years which enabled man to survive by covering many miles everyday hunting and gathering food. Our sedentary lifestyles are completely out of balance with our internal chemistry.
For the more scientifically inclined, Lodge outlines a simplified version of our body's cycle of decay and growth. He introduces two essential chemicals, cytokine-6 (C-6) and cytokine-10 (C-10). C-6 is in control of decay and inflammation, but also stimulates the production of C-10, the chemical for repair and growth. Unfortunately, the steady, low-level production of C-6 causes decay but is insufficient to stimulate C-10. C-10, and thereby cellular repair, is produced only when exercise produces a threshold level of C-6. Inactivity, poor nutrition, and high levels of stress brought on by any number of social situations all permit C-6 to predominate in our bodies.
The book has some practical suggestions for exercise and for nutrition, with overeating and consuming too much sugar and saturated fat being especially harmful. The authors continually emphasize the positive benefits of being socially connected and having absorbing work and/or hobbies, most of which is well known. The main contribution of the book is the emphasis on exercise being necessary given our physical/chemical structure.
The book is organized in a ping-pong fashion with first Crowley, then Lodge, weighing in. It is somewhat repetitious and there is a pervasive optimism, verging on the excessive. Sometimes personal testimony can add, but author Crowley's fixation on his skiing prowess at age seventy is a bit much. Furthermore, his multiple expensive vacations and the purchasing of expensive custom bicycles, rowing equipment, and the like gets tiresome. His recommendation of perhaps the most expensive bicycle touring company in existence is not helpful.
The book is by no means a how-to book on exercise, nor particularly expansive on nutrition. The body chemistry angle is of most interest. Unless that would be interesting, buy yourself a decent pair of walking shoes, quit overeating, and start exercising. Save the money on the book.
