Main description:

This is an engaging and illuminating exploration of evolutionary medicine and how it could revolutionise healthcare. These days, the news is often filled with stories about the breakthroughs and promises of genetic research and medicine. But little media attention is given to evolutionary medicine - an exciting field that could prove as revolutionary to human health as the discovery of DNA. Evolutionary medicine focuses on tiny organelles found in every cell in the body, called mitochondria. These are the biochemical power packs that supply 90 per cent of the energy we live on. With a fascinating and lively narrative, "Energy and Life" explains the origins of the mitochondrial energy system - the result of a symbiotic relationship billions of years ago - how the breakdown of mitochondria underlies the process of ageing, and how science is finally beginning to understand the crucial role these organelles play in our health.