Chronobiology: Biological Timekeeping

Book Description

The study of how solar- and lunar-related rhythms are governed by living pacemakers within organisms constitutes the scientific discipline of chronobiology. Parallel to the familiar spatial cellular structure of living cells, temporal, or time, organization is a vital part of the survival and normal functioning of every species. Adaptations evolved by organisms to cope with regular geophysical cycles in their environment are evident in nearly every aspect of their lives. In fact, biological timekeeping is a core property of life on a revolving planet.

Few fields encompass the breadth of science that is associated with chronobiology. Chronobiologists are at the cutting edge of fields ranging from microbial genetics to ethology to treatment of human psychiatric illnesses. Recognizing that no individual could do justice to the field in writing a comprehensive text, a group of editors with a wide range of experience has collaborated to produce Chronobiology. Chapters have been planned and written by the editors and by teams of specialists.

The text begins with a general introduction to the formalisms and vocabulary that describe circadian rhythmicity. The behavioral and ecological importance of rhythms is introduced, followed by discussion of the theoretical bases of the fundamental properties that define a circadian rhythm. Circannual rhythms and photoperiodic responses in plants and animals are examined next. A central block of four chapters develops the comparative anatomy, physiology, genetics, and molecular biology of organisms with circadian clocks. Examples at all levels of organization are drawn from the real world and from current and classic research. A pair of chapters then develops the basic circadian organization of human beings and the relevance of circadian biology to human welfare. A final chapter looks to the future by exploring six cutting-edge areas of research.

Book Description

Introducing Biological Rhythms is a primer that serves to introduce individuals to the area of biological rhythms. It describes the major characteristics and discusses the implications and applications of these rhythms, while citing scientific results and references. Also, the primer includes essays that provide in-depth historic and other background information for those interested in more specific topics or concepts.

It covers a basic cross-section of the field of chronobiology clearly enough so that it can be understood by a novice, or an undergraduate student, but that it would also be sufficiently technical and detailed for the scientist.

Customer Reviews:

Feedback from others the authors have received.......2006-08-17

As a co-author of the book "Introducing Biological Rhythms," I would like to share with potential readers some of the comments that we have received from others who have already received a copy. I hope this may help others who might be interested in some of the topics in our book. Thanks.

"I started immediately to read [the book] and also brought it with me on the train, in the plane and any place where I could sit and read. It is well written... To me it is the only book today that covers the whole field of Chronobiology, and you find everything there. It is a very useful reference that I will recommend to anybody that might be interested in the field. I will also get the institute to buy extra copies... I am really impressed by your work." Ole D. Laerum, PhD, Director, Stem Cell Research Group, The Gade Institute, Department of Pathology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.

"It represents an encyclopedic coverage viewed from Minnesota...; the infradian cover is particularly interesting." Hugh H. Simpson, MD, Division of Pathology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland.

"The book looks beautiful... Congratulations for this great amount of work, with an approach that is different from the one now `in vogue' in our field!" Francis Lévi, MD, Directeur, Cancer Chronotherapeutics, Hôpital Paul Brousse et Université Paris XI, Villejuif, France.

"I am impressed by the number of pages that you have written. It is not surprising that this work demanded several years. I will now read it with a great deal of interest." Bernard Millet, PhD, Botany Laboratory, Besancon University, Besancon, France.

"I just received your book, congratulations. I already have my students using it. It is great. What a marvelous accomplishment." Jayna L. Ditty, PhD, Dept of Biology, St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN.

"Your book is magnificent. I very much respect your work and opinions about rhythms. I hope to give the book some serious reading in the near future. Will pass your book info on to other scientists." Helen V. Ratajczak, PhD, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, CT.

"I'd like to share, now as a reader, my very good impression of your book. I like it very much. It's written in a way I appreciate in books - with clear aims and clear messages. The Take-Home Message is a great thing. I like the style - friendly and simple (even when you're presenting complicated things!), with nice humor." Oleg Tsinkalovsky, MD, Centre of International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

"You have my sincere gratitude for undertaking the Herculean and useful task, for your scholarship in doing it, and for the broad scope of the book on which I congratulate you, and I trust that in reading it I can learn much more about the field and about the two authors." Franz Halberg, MD, Halberg Chronobiology Center, University of Minnesota, Mpls, MN.

The Body Clock Guide to Better Health: How to Use Your Body's Natural Clock to Fight Illness and Achieve Maximum Health

Average customer rating:

Be Your Own Chronobiologist
Invaluable, just when a friend needed it
Not enough as I wanted.
Disappointing
Keeping In Time With Your Body

The Body Clock Guide to Better Health: How to Use Your Body's Natural Clock to Fight Illness and Achieve Maximum Health
Michael Smolensky , Lynne Lamberg , and Michael, Ph.D. Smolensky
Manufacturer: Owl Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0805056629

Amazon.com

We've all used the terms night owl and early riser; all felt the intense hunger pangs of midday and the subsequent ebb of energy after lunch; and all know what time of day we prefer to exercise or have sex. As explained in The Body Clock Guide to Better Health, these are normal cycles controlled by a sort of biological timepiece (housed in the brain's hypothalamus) that regulates everything from sleeping and eating patterns to heart rate, body temperature, and hormone production. These rhythms are vital to everyday functioning, yet, the authors claim, they're mostly overlooked when doctors prescribe treatment. This oversight, they suggest, diminishes the effectiveness of medical care; the potential for recovery and better health is enhanced when the timing of medication and other treatment is aligned with certain internal rhythms.

The Body Clock is an exhaustive guide to the merits of chronotherapy, which synchronizes healthcare with the patient's internal clock. This can be as simple as taking pain relievers at the time of day the body will best benefit from the medication, such as several hours before the patient's pain threshold will be at its lowest. (For most people, this is in the early morning; for this reason you're probably better off scheduling dental work in the late afternoon if possible.) Chronotherapy also has been shown to be effective for people managing chronic health problems such as asthma, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.

The authors, Michael Smolensky, who is director of the Memorial-Hermann Chronobiology Center and a professor at the University of Texas-Houston's School of Public Health, and Lynne Lamberg, a health writer, explain how monitoring one's clock by keeping a "chronorecord"--a personal chart that maps variations in mood, alertness, sleep cycle, eating habits, and symptoms of pain--can empower us in achieving long-term vitality. Chapter by chapter, they show how timing is everything, whether applied to weight loss, sleep, sex, exercise, or recovery from illness. In the section "Sickness and Health from A to (Nearly) Z," they address issues ranging from depression and hay fever to heartburn and skin disorders, giving practical advice on how to integrate awareness of the body clock and conventional treatment methods. For example, application of topical treatments such as moisturizers and hydrocortisone creams may be more beneficial in the afternoon than the morning because body temperature is higher and the skin more porous. Chronobiology may also explain the seasonality of illnesses: multiple sclerosis tends to worsen in late spring and summer; testicular cancer is diagnosed more in winter; and postmenopausal women detect their own breast cancers most frequently in the fall, probably due to "annual cycles in ... hormone activity or seasonal changes in melatonin secretion."

Aside from the insight we gain into our body's rhythms, perhaps The Body Clock's most valuable contribution is its advocacy of a more holistic understanding of bodily cycles and our capacity for healing. While not a replacement for conventional medical care, chronotherapy may at least give a helping hand in the process of recovery and health maintenance, adding a more personal dimension to the ordinary routines of conventional medical care. The Body Clock is an engaging resource for those who take, or want to take, an active role in wellness. --Rebecca Wright

Book Description

A medical breakthrough explained by the leading authority on the connection between health and your body clock.Chronotherapy -- adjusting the care of the body to coincide with the body's natural clock -- is poised to be the next major revolution in medical science. An understanding and awareness of these rhythms will enable us to maximize the effects not only of medications and other treatments but also of diets, exercise programs, and other daily routines. The Body Clock Guide to Better Health combines a detailed discussion of major issues, such as sleep, exercise, and nutrition, with a comprehensive A-to-Z reference to specific disorders. Among the health concerns it addresses are AIDS, arthritis, asthma, ADD, cancer, depression, diabetes, digestive problems, allergies, heart disease, chronic pain, sexual dysfunction, and complications from pregnancy. General chapters explore the big picture -- including monthly cycles and life cycles -- and provide invaluable advice on foods and dietary supplements, fitness, better sex, jet lag, and more. The Body Clock Guide to Better Health offers readers the dual benefits of improving the treatment of specific conditions while boosting their overall health and wellness.

Customer Reviews:

Be Your Own Chronobiologist.......2005-11-23

This extremely important book is written for the general public and inspires us to become amateur chronobiologists ourselves because we are the ones who can make many more discoveries that will benefit our health. Having become curious as to why I get really strong cravings to eat junk food only in the evening, three years ago I found that bright light in the afternoon either from the daylight or from a light box, stops my food cravings. In the chapter "Time to Eat" the book says that people with the eating disorder bulimia often consume vast quantities of food in the evening. Perhaps I have found one of the reasons, and one of the cures for the so-called obesity epidemic. This could put Overeaters Anonymous out of business. The chapter "How Your Body Clock Works" says that we need three to eight hours of daily daylight in order to synchronize our body clock. Yikes! Who gets this amount ? Perhaps all the beautiful buildings we are building that keep us indoors are damaging our health in many unknown ways. I hope that schoolchildren are learning about this important topic in science class. But I guess being in school all day isn't helping.

Invaluable, just when a friend needed it.......2004-12-12

I had bought this book but hadn't really paid attention to it -- bought it for one thing, found that, then put it on my medical reference shelf. Then a friend started having a sleep disorder that was really ruining his life. He went to one sleep specialist who put him on a medication for which even the pharmacist thought she had prescribed an awfully large dosage, and it didn't help that much, so she sent him to another specialist, who recommended a light box in the morning. He bought the thing, but thought it was kind of nutty, and after I set it up for him I came home and looked in this book and found a whole section explaining various forms of sleep disorder, with three or four possible explanations for his, including why and how the light box might work. I also realized that he and his wife do not close the blinds in their bedroom, which is a factor I don't think they ever considered. So I am buying a second copy of the book for them. What doctors fail to do, so often, is explain why they are doing something -- or explain it skimpily, or you can't take in what they do say because you are hearing new information that sounds weird...whatever, I know the explanations in this book are going to be useful to my friend, and now I will look through the other sections to see what else is there. Thank you, Smolensky and Lamberg.

Not enough as I wanted........2004-10-31

Good information and tips, but most of them already known before. However, it`s ok if you know absolutely anything about body cycles

Disappointing.......2001-08-06

I bought this book on the strength of its good reviews but was disappointed. It did not deliver the depth of information which I expected. A much better coverage of related issues can be found in Dennet's "Promise of sleep".

Keeping In Time With Your Body.......2001-07-11

Did you know that the majority of people don't know how to tell time? Body time, that is, and "everybody" includes a lot of doctors and other health professionals. The Body Clock Guide to Better Health explains about your body's personal body rhythms and a new field of medicine called chronomedicine.

Body time matters in almost every phase of your life. It's especially essential in keeping you healthy. The time of day you take your medication can affect how well the medicine works and whether there will be side affects. The time of day you take diagnostic tests - blood tests, urine tests, even your blood pressure, can make a change in what results the test shows.

The study of the body and time has been going on for many years. Way back in 1735, an astronomer in Paris noticed the way a plant responded to morning and night. He wondered if it was the light that caused the responses, and to find out, locked the plant in a dark closet. Much to his surprise, despite the lack of sunlight, the plant still raised its leaves in the morning and lowered them at night. It took many more years to discover just how the system worked.

Are you a lark, an owl or a hummingbird? Smolensky and Lamberg explain just what these three types of body rhythms are and how they affect you and your lifestyle. They suggest you should study your own body rhythms to find out if you are a day or a night person or somewhere in-between.

Your body clock affects not only your physical reactions, but your mental ability as well, and can explain a lot of mood swings. The Body Clock Guide talks about the different stages of sleep from very light sleep to the deep, healing sleep everyone needs. What is REM sleep? You'll find the answer in this book, and also discover just why you need to get adequate sleep and what sleep deprivation does to you.

Chapter Eight takes you through the years from babyhood to the teens and explains the differences for each age group. Babies are already cyclic in their sleep patterns, and tend to sleep more at night than during the day starting on their second day of life. Do you know why teens are like zombies in the morning? The Body Guide explains the changes in sleep needs for these difficult years.

Your body clock and rhythmic cycles affect so many things. Exercise and sports, for instance. Should you exercise in the morning or later in the day? Does your menstrual cycle make a difference? When you exercise and the type of exercise can make a difference on how well or how poorly you sleep. How our bodies handle food is also governed by when we eat, and the food we eat has an influence, again, on how well we sleep.

The Body Guide also covers sexuality and the best times to engage in sex. Want to get pregnant? Keep track of your body's rhythms. Most people know about the hormonal changes in a woman's body as she moves into menopause. But were you aware that men approaching mid-life also experience hormone changes? The Body Guide goes on to discuss how to cope with jet lag and about the use of chronobiology in the workplace to improve working conditions and accommodate those with a different body rhythm or those who have to work shift work.

Healing depends on your own body rhythm. The Body Guide gives a list of illnesses from A (AIDS) to U (Urinary disorders,) and explains when their symptoms are most and least troublesome over the day and when it's best to treat them.

And what is to come? The authors believe that in the twenty-first century, there will be better health through the use of chronotherapy. Computers will facilitate the way we keep track of our body rhythms and the times our bodies exhibit unusual patterns. Further research and education will foster a deeper understanding of chronobiology.

Book Description

This book is an introduction to a basic property of life, one mostly unknown to science and the public until the latter half of the last century: Humans, plants, and animals have within their bodies a kind of clock that synchronizes much of what they do throughout their lives to the time of day and the seasons, and in the case of the sea-dwelling organisms, the tides. This timepiece performs its service autonomously - it rules silently within us without us giving a thought to it. Three chapters are devoted to the human clock: its disruptive action in transmeridional travel and shift work, its oversight in most every aspect of our physiology, and how doctors being aware of its action can save lives. Other major subjects describe the role in piloting birds in homing and migration, guiding the seasonal reproduction of plants and animals, and its influence on shore dwellers. The book closes with a description of the clockworks' escapement.

Customer Reviews:

Fairly entertaining book about scientific discovery........2003-07-18

Palmer explains that he wrote this book because so many people he encountered were interested in what he does as a marine biologist. In truth it is a book about scientific curiosity and the process of discovery. I won't give away the ending, found in the last chapter. Had Palmer's objective been an exposition on biological clocks, the last chapter would have been first. Unfortunately, I already knew what was in the last chapter, so my appreciation for the book was somewhat dulled. Still, it is a short, well written, fairly entertaining book. Palmer does an excellent job in describing experiments and making them interesting, and in showing how often a verification of the obvious led instead to new paths of discovery. Not least, while Palmer's sense of humor is not terribly creative, he can be fun.

Savoring the Day: Recipes and Remedies to Enhance Your Natural Rhythms

Average customer rating:

fantastic cookbook and reference

Savoring the Day: Recipes and Remedies to Enhance Your Natural Rhythms
Judith Benn Hurley
Manufacturer: Cookbooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0688142923

Customer Reviews:

fantastic cookbook and reference.......2006-01-04

This is one of the best cookbooks I've ever used. So far, every recipe has been excellent, and it is interspersed with lots of text referencing aromatherapy and insights to healing. I love the layout and especially its inclusion of desserts with no refined sugar. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and diet and included many pieces of new information and new cooking ideas.
Very well written and researched.

Know Your Body Clock: Discover Your Body's Inner Cycles and Rhythms and Learn the Best Times for Creativity, Exercise, Sex, Sleep, and More

Average customer rating:

Some useful information

Know Your Body Clock: Discover Your Body's Inner Cycles and Rhythms and Learn the Best Times for Creativity, Exercise, Sex, Sleep, and More
Carol Orlock
Manufacturer: Carol Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Physiology | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Customer Reviews:

Some useful information.......2000-06-26

The first two parts of the book (approximately 50 pages) are mostly an overview of chronobiology as a field, including accounts of the many experiments and situations that led researchers to believe our bodies have inner biological clocks. Up to this point the information presented is not particularly useful or interesting. In fact, the first two sections could be skipped altogether with little or no risk of impaired comprehension later on. The third and fourth parts provide some useful information. The third part deals mainly with what is known about how some of our inner cycles work (e.g. sleep cycle). The fourth and most important part is about how we can use the knowledge about inner cycles to our advantage, offering important information for students and cancer patients, among others. Though the amount of information offered is not large, its usefulness can, for some people, be worth the price of the book.

Biorhythms and Stress in the Physiopathology of Reproduction (Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine)

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Biorhythms and Stress in the Physiopathology of Reproduction (Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine)
Paolo Pancheri
Manufacturer: Hemisphere Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Physiology | Basic Science | Medicine | Subjects | Books

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Biological Clocks: Your Owner's Manual
Susan Binkley
Manufacturer: CRC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 9057025345

Book Description

Biological Clocks introduces the readers to the subject of human chronobiology. It describes biological clocks; why we have clocks; how biological clocks relate to sleep disorders, depression, and jet lag; and how the reader can measure his/her own rhythms.

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Advances in Chronobiology

Manufacturer: Wiley-Liss
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0845101943

Average customer rating:

Advances in Chronobiology

Manufacturer: Wiley-Liss
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0845101951

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