We've all seen the handsome Dr. Sanjay Gupta
reporting on health issues on CNN, providing news coverage
from Iraq or post 9/11 New York City or being featured in
People or Time magazines. Now we have the opportunity
to hear the doctor's personal prescription for maintaining
health and vitality well into old age. In this thoroughly
researched work, he provides sensible advice about how to
eat and live in order to remain happy, healthy and productive
for the longest time possible. Some of his recommendations
are familiar and expected, but many of the things he advocates
seem counterintuitive. For instance, he points out the possible
dangers of vitamin use. At best, he says they are probably
unnecessary and at worst, can harm certain individuals.
The book is full of information about aging and
the changes the body goes through, and it's presented in such
a way that the process sounds more hopeful than depressing.
Other than learning that people who are too old to reproduce
are considered by some scientists to be "biologically
irrelevant", listening to the book is a very positive
experience. It is the kind of audio book that should be referred
to often. It would be impossible to absorb all the Dr. Sanjay's
information in a single session, and each time I've listened
I've heard new facts. He discusses the roles nutrition, exercise,
lifestyle, genetics, environment and attitude play in the
aging process, and he gives suggestions for maximizing the
positive effects of each. In addition, he talks about current
research being conducted to find cures and treatments for
our most catastrophic diseases. His disclosures are fascinating!
He explains how Herpes Simplex virus cells are being used
to kill cancer cells. Scientists extract a necessary component
from the virus and inject it into a tumor. The virus takes
the missing component from the tumor until the tumor is destroyed,
and then when the virus can't get any more of the missing
component, the virus dies, too.
From stem cell treatments to cryonics to nanotechnology,
the future holds promising solutions for the devastating problems
of aging. Although the book is packed with information about
complex scientific issues, Dr. Sanjay's approach is easy to
understand. He is amazingly adept at presenting concepts in
everyday language that anyone can grasp. His speaking voice
is authoritative but friendly, in a "trusted family doctor"
tone. This is a book to be listened to over and over. It's
also a book to give to everyone you love and want to keep
healthy and thriving for many years to come.
,
by Sanjay Gupta (Read by the author)
