Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health or Religious Influences on Health and Well Being in the Elderly

Spirulina in Human Nutrition and Health

Author: M E Gershwin

As the demand for functional foods continues to grow, spirulina, a cyanobacterial blue-green algae, is one of the most nutritionally-packed dietary supplements available. Scientists have linked spirulina to strengthening the immune system, supporting cardiovascular function, improving digestive health, enhancing detoxification, and reducing cancer risks. Edited by worldwide authorities in the field, The Use of Spirulina in Human Nutrition is the first book to provide an abundant literature review of the basic and clinical use of spirulina in human health, examining its production, distribution, toxicology, pharmacology, therapeutic utility, oxidative stress, neurobiology, and more.

See also: Making Waves and Riding the Currents or Schmoozing with Terrorists

Religious Influences on Health and Well-Being in the Elderly

Author: K Warner Schai

"What makes the book's approach so captivating is that each...chapter is written by a different researcher in the study of religion and health. These researchers are responsible for significant portions of the existing literature and methodologies found in this field today....The versatility of the book warrants special mention. It is effective as a survey of work that has already been done on this topic. At the same time, it serves as a wellspring of ideas for new research....This work makes a valuable contribution to the present understanding of research on religion and health. It also serves as a road map to help chart directions for future endeavors in the field."--Sociology of Religion

This volume focuses on the ways in which religious institutions, religious practices, and religious organizations impact the health and well-being of older persons. Topics examined include:

• the conceptualization and measurement of religion in late life
• the relationship between religious coping and possible stress reduction
• the role of forgiveness as an alternate mediator
• how social class, gender, and race can influence the specific effect of religion and religious institutions in a diverse aging society
Contributors include L. Chatters, K. Ferraro, L. K. George, E. Idler, S. McFadden, and K. Meador.

Table of Contents:

1	An introduction to research on religion, aging, and health : exploring new prospects and key challenges	1
2	Religious observance and health : theory and research	20
	Commentary : religion and health : a European perspective	44
	Commentary : observing religion and health	59
3	Prayer, love, and transcendence : an epidemiologic perspective	69
	Commentary : next steps in understanding the prayer/health connection	96
	Commentary : prayer and the elderly : exploring a "gerontological mystery"	104
4	Empirical advances in the psychology of religion and coping	114
	Commentary : religious coping in later life	141
	Commentary : religion, coping, and health	152
5	Religion, foregiveness, and adjustment in older adulthood	163
	Commentary : unforgiveness, forgiveness, religion, and health during aging	187
	Commentary : multiple forms of forgiveness and their relationships with aging and religion	202
6	Race and ethnicity in religion and health	215
	Commentary : race and SES differences in the relationship between religion and health	238
7	Religion and health in life course perspective	246