In this scientific non-fiction book, Rheumatologist and Professor of Experimental Medicine Rainer H. Straub holistically explains a central conflict in the body: why the battle for energy ages us and leads to fatigue, stress, sleep disorders, weight problems, libido issues, and hypertension. He explores how this particularly affects people with chronic inflammatory diseases. With fascinating insights, the author takes us on a journey into evolutionary biology, the present state of energy regulation, and the forward-looking field of psychoneuroimmunology. Learn to understand the connections between inflammatory processes and energy regulation in the body, drawing implications for dealing with diseases and therapeutic possibilities.

I Energy, evolution and medicine 1 Energy and the body

2 Evolutionary medicine
3 The brain and the immune system - two competing realms
II Energy expenditure in the spotlight 4 Inflammation and energy
5 Pain and energy
6 Psychological stress and energy
7 Other energy-draining situations
8 What does increased energy expenditure mean for the body
III From energy and evolution to symptoms 9 Daytime tiredness and depression
10 Sleep disorders and symptoms related to the time of day
11 Loss of appetite - malnutrition and malnutrition
12 Muscle wasting
13 Bone loss - osteoporosis
14 Weight changes (increase and decrease)
15 Storage hormones (increase and decrease). 11 Loss of appetite, malnutrition and malnutrition
12 Muscle atrophy
13 Bone atrophy - osteoporosis
14 Weight changes (gain and loss)
15 The storage hormone insulin doesn't do it - insulin resistance
16 Dwindling libido, lower fertility
17 The sympathetic nervous system fires the insulin hormone. 17 Sympathetic nervous system fires and causes high blood pressure
18 Increased blood clotting - thromboses/embolisms
19 Stress worsens inflammation and inflammation changes stress resilience
20 The big summary: unwanted energy expenditure
Glossary
Appendix.