📖 Body Science Sources
Sources for understanding how the body works.
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Key Sources for This Pillar
- Textbooks
- Studies
- Experts
- Institutions
| Source | Author/Year | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology | Hall, 14th ed (2020) | C | Gold standard physiology textbook; comprehensive mechanisms |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology | Marieb & Hoehn, 11th ed (2018) | C | Excellent for all body systems; accessible |
| Costanzo Physiology / BRS Physiology | Costanzo (2021) | C | Clear explanations; great for learning |
| Boron & Boulpaep Medical Physiology | Boron & Boulpaep, 3rd ed (2016) | C | Advanced; "bible of medical physiology" |
| Ganong's Review of Medical Physiology | Barrett et al., 26th ed (2019) | C | Comprehensive review; medical standard |
| Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach | Silverthorn, 8th ed (2018) | C | Integrative approach; problem-solving focus |
| The Body: A Guide for Occupants | Bryson (2019) | D | Accessible overview; engaging |
| Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don't Have To | Sinclair (2019) | C | Aging science; accessible |
| Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art | Nestor (2020) | D | Respiratory; popular science |
Landmark Studies & Reviews
| Source | Citation | Tier | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallmarks of Aging: An Expanding Universe | López-Otín et al., Cell (2023) | A | Aging — 12 hallmarks framework |
| The Hallmarks of Aging | López-Otín et al., Cell (2013) | A | Aging — original 9 hallmarks |
| Exercise metabolism and adaptation in skeletal muscle | Smith et al., Nature Reviews MCB (2023) | A | Muscular — exercise adaptations |
| Molecular responses to acute exercise | Egan & Zierath, Physiological Reviews (2022) | A | Muscular — molecular pathways |
| Molecular mechanisms and physiological importance of circadian rhythms | Patke et al., Nature Reviews MCB (2019) | A | Circadian — molecular mechanisms |
| Molecular regulations of circadian rhythm | Xie et al., Signal Transduction (2022) | A | Circadian — physiology and disease |
| Energy Metabolism Review | Rosen & Spiegelman, Cell (2014) | A | Metabolism — adipose tissue |
| Daily energy expenditure through the human life course | Pontzer et al., Science (2021) | A | Metabolism — TDEE across lifespan |
| Update on the gut microbiome in health and diseases | Multiple authors, PMC (2024) | A | Digestive — microbiome |
| Neuroplasticity and Nervous System Recovery | MDPI/PMC (2025) | B | Nervous — plasticity mechanisms |
| Innovative Approaches to Enhance Neuroplasticity | Cureus (2023) | B | Nervous — therapeutic applications |
| Osteoporosis: Review of Etiology and Mechanisms | PubMed (2023) | A | Skeletal — bone health |
| Osteoporosis: An Update on Screening, Diagnosis, Evaluation | PMC (2023) | A | Skeletal — clinical guidelines |
| Epigenetics and lifestyle | European J Internal Med (2023) | B | Cells/Genetics — lifestyle effects |
| Epigenetic modulation by lifestyle | Frontiers in Nutrition (2025) | B | Cells/Genetics — diet, exercise, mindfulness |
| Annual Review of Immunology | Volume 41 (2023) | A | Immune — comprehensive reviews |
Reference Resources (StatPearls/NCBI)
| Source | Last Updated | Tier | Topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physiology, Homeostasis | May 2023 | B | Homeostasis mechanisms |
| Physiology, Endocrine Hormones | Current | B | Endocrine system overview |
| Neuroplasticity | May 2023 | B | Neuroplasticity fundamentals |
| Bone Health and Osteoporosis | NCBI Bookshelf | B | Skeletal health |
| Source | Type | Tier | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huberman Lab Podcast | Podcast | C | Neuroscience, physiology, practical application |
| Peter Attia, MD (The Drive) | Podcast/Blog | C | Longevity, metabolism, performance |
| Rhonda Patrick, PhD (Found My Fitness) | Podcast | C | Nutrition, genetics, aging |
| Source | Type | Tier | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIH (National Institutes of Health) | Government | B | Research, guidelines |
| WHO (World Health Organization) | International | B | Global health standards |
| CDC (Centers for Disease Control) | Government | B | Public health data |
| American Physiological Society | Professional | B | Physiology research, journals |
Sources by Topic
Cells & Genetics
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Guyton and Hall (cellular physiology) | C |
| Lifespan - Sinclair (genetics of aging) | C |
| Epigenetics and lifestyle reviews (2023-2025) | B |
| Hallmarks of Aging (epigenetic alterations) | A |
Tissues & Structure
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology - Marieb & Hoehn | C |
| Guyton and Hall (tissue physiology) | C |
Cardiovascular System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Guyton and Hall (cardiac physiology) | C |
| American Journal of Physiology-Heart | A-B |
| Circulation (AHA journals) | A-B |
Muscular System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Exercise metabolism and adaptation (2023) | A |
| Molecular responses to acute exercise (2022) | A |
| Skeletal Muscle Memory review (2023) | B |
| Guyton and Hall (muscle physiology) | C |
Skeletal System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Osteoporosis reviews (2023) | A |
| Bone Health and Osteoporosis (NCBI) | B |
| Human Anatomy & Physiology - Marieb | C |
Nervous System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Neuroplasticity reviews (2023-2025) | B |
| StatPearls - Neuroplasticity | B |
| Huberman Lab (neuroscience) | C |
| Nature Reviews Neuroscience | A |
Endocrine System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| StatPearls - Endocrine Hormones | B |
| Nature Reviews Endocrinology | A |
| Guyton and Hall (endocrine) | C |
Immune System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Annual Review of Immunology (2023) | A |
| Nature Reviews Immunology | A |
| Immunity (Cell Press) | A |
Digestive System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Update on gut microbiome (2024) | A |
| Gut Microbiota for Health Summit (2024) | B |
| Guyton and Hall (GI physiology) | C |
Respiratory System
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Breath - Nestor | D |
| Guyton and Hall (respiratory) | C |
| American Journal of Physiology-Lung | A-B |
Integumentary System (Skin)
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Human Anatomy & Physiology - Marieb | C |
| Circadian Oscillations in Skin (2023) | B |
Metabolism & Energy
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Daily energy expenditure - Pontzer (2021) | A |
| Energy Metabolism Review (2014) | A |
| Comprehensive Review on BMR/TDEE (2024) | B |
| Guyton and Hall (metabolic physiology) | C |
Body Composition
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Pontzer energy expenditure research | A |
| Peter Attia content | C |
Homeostasis
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| StatPearls - Physiology, Homeostasis (2023) | B |
| Homeostasis: Central Organizing Principle (Frontiers, 2020) | B |
| Clarifying Homeostasis and Allostasis (PMC) | B |
| Guyton and Hall (regulatory systems) | C |
Circadian Rhythms
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Molecular mechanisms of circadian rhythms (2019) | A |
| Molecular regulations of circadian rhythm (2022) | A |
| Circadian de(regulation) in physiology (2024) | A |
| Huberman Lab (circadian episodes) | C |
Aging
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Hallmarks of Aging: An Expanding Universe (2023) | A |
| The Hallmarks of Aging (2013) | A |
| Hallmarks as framework for longevity (2024) | A |
| Lifespan - Sinclair | C |
| Peter Attia (longevity content) | C |
Optimal Health
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Peter Attia (health optimization) | C |
| Huberman Lab (optimization protocols) | C |
| WHO health guidelines | B |
Common Dysfunctions
| Source | Tier |
|---|---|
| Disease-specific reviews in each system | A-B |
| StatPearls clinical entries | B |
| NIH/CDC disease information | B |
Source Evaluation Notes
Tier Definitions
- Tier A (Gold Standard): Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, landmark papers in top journals
- Tier B (Strong Evidence): Peer-reviewed studies, clinical guidelines, authoritative reference works
- Tier C (Expert Opinion): Textbooks, expert consensus, reputable institutions
- Tier D (Informational): Popular science books, podcasts, general articles
How Sources Were Selected
- Prioritized recent reviews (2023-2024) for current understanding
- Included foundational textbooks for comprehensive coverage
- Added landmark papers that define the field
- Included accessible sources for practical application
Recommended Starting Points
- For foundations: Guyton and Hall or Costanzo textbook
- For accessible overview: The Body (Bryson)
- For aging science: Hallmarks of Aging papers (2013, 2023)
- For ongoing learning: Huberman Lab, Peter Attia
- For specific systems: Topic-specific reviews listed above
See the Central Sources Library for full source details and links.