Chapter 4 - Organismic physiology

Abstract

This chapter discusses organismic physiology. Caloric restriction (CR) strongly influences an organ and organ-system's physiology, as well as integrated organismic functions. CR has been found to broadly affect organismic physiology. In 1960, long before the effect of CR on fat mass was measured, Berg and Simms hypothesized that CR's life-prolonging action was because of a reduction in body-fat content. In regard to the endocrines and cytokines secreted by adipose tissue, Shimokawa and Higami (1999) reported that CR decreases the level of plasma leptin.. Research on the effect of CR on the nervous system has yielded conflicting results. Some studies have shown that CR markedly retards age-associated changes, while other investigations found it has little effect. It is to be expected that a reduction in body temperature would decrease the damage inherent in living processes and thus may play a major role in the anti-aging action of CR. The chapter also includes locomotion and skeletal muscles, body-temperature regulation, and wound healing.