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How Not to Age
Uncover the evidence-based science to slowing the effects of aging, from the New York Times bestselling author of the How Not to Die series
When Dr. Michael Greger, dove into the top peer-reviewed anti-aging medical research, he realized that diet could regulate every one of the most promising strategies for combating the effects of aging. We don’t need Big Pharma to keep us feeling young—we already have the tools. In How Not to Age , the internationally renowned physician and nutritionist breaks down the science of aging and chronic illness and explains how to help avoid the diseases most commonly encountered in our journeys through life.
Physicians have long treated aging as a malady, but getting older does not have to mean getting sicker. There are eleven pathways for aging in our bodies’ cells and we can disrupt each of them. Processes like autophagy, the upcycling of unusable junk, can be boosted with spermidine, a compound found in tempeh, mushrooms, and wheat germ. Senescent “zombie” cells that spew inflammation and are linked to many age-related diseases may be cleared in part with quercetin-rich foods like onions, apples, and kale. And we can combat effects of aging without breaking the bank. Why spend a small fortune on vitamin C and nicotinamide facial serums when you can make your own for up to 2,000 times cheaper?
Inspired by the dietary and lifestyle patterns of centenarians and residents of “blue zone” regions where people live the longest, Dr. Greger presents simple, accessible, and evidence-based methods to preserve the body functions that keep you feeling youthful, both physically and mentally. Brimming with expertise and actionable takeaways, How Not to Age lays out practical strategies for achieving ultimate longevity.
When Dr. Michael Greger, dove into the top peer-reviewed anti-aging medical research, he realized that diet could regulate every one of the most promising strategies for combating the effects of aging. We don’t need Big Pharma to keep us feeling young—we already have the tools. In How Not to Age , the internationally renowned physician and nutritionist breaks down the science of aging and chronic illness and explains how to help avoid the diseases most commonly encountered in our journeys through life.
Physicians have long treated aging as a malady, but getting older does not have to mean getting sicker. There are eleven pathways for aging in our bodies’ cells and we can disrupt each of them. Processes like autophagy, the upcycling of unusable junk, can be boosted with spermidine, a compound found in tempeh, mushrooms, and wheat germ. Senescent “zombie” cells that spew inflammation and are linked to many age-related diseases may be cleared in part with quercetin-rich foods like onions, apples, and kale. And we can combat effects of aging without breaking the bank. Why spend a small fortune on vitamin C and nicotinamide facial serums when you can make your own for up to 2,000 times cheaper?
Inspired by the dietary and lifestyle patterns of centenarians and residents of “blue zone” regions where people live the longest, Dr. Greger presents simple, accessible, and evidence-based methods to preserve the body functions that keep you feeling youthful, both physically and mentally. Brimming with expertise and actionable takeaways, How Not to Age lays out practical strategies for achieving ultimate longevity.
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First published December 5, 2023
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About the author
Michael Greger
146 books2,047 followersDr. Greger is a physician, New York Times Best-Selling author, and internationally recognized speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues.
A graduate of the Cornell University School of Agriculture and the Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Greger is licensed as a general practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition. He is a founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He was honored with the ACLM Lifestyle Medicine Trailblazer Award in 2017 and became a diplomat of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
His books How Not to Die, The How Not to Die Cookbook, How Not to Diet, and How Not to Age became instant New York Times Best Sellers. One hundred percent of all proceeds Dr. Greger receives from his books and speaking engagements have always been and will always be donated to charity.
Dr. Greger has appeared in such documentaries as What the Health and You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, and served as an advisor for The Game Changers. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and was an expert witness in defense of Oprah Winfrey in the infamous “meat defamation trial.” He often speaks at engagements across the United States and abroad, and has delivered presentations at TEDx, Google, The World Bank, and the Conference on World Affairs. He has been featured on countless media outlets to deliver life-saving nutrition research to the public. See more on our Press page.
A graduate of the Cornell University School of Agriculture and the Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Greger is licensed as a general practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition. He is a founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He was honored with the ACLM Lifestyle Medicine Trailblazer Award in 2017 and became a diplomat of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine.
His books How Not to Die, The How Not to Die Cookbook, How Not to Diet, and How Not to Age became instant New York Times Best Sellers. One hundred percent of all proceeds Dr. Greger receives from his books and speaking engagements have always been and will always be donated to charity.
Dr. Greger has appeared in such documentaries as What the Health and You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, and served as an advisor for The Game Changers. He has testified before the U.S. Congress and was an expert witness in defense of Oprah Winfrey in the infamous “meat defamation trial.” He often speaks at engagements across the United States and abroad, and has delivered presentations at TEDx, Google, The World Bank, and the Conference on World Affairs. He has been featured on countless media outlets to deliver life-saving nutrition research to the public. See more on our Press page.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
March 12, 2024
‘We should all be eating fruits and vegetables as if our lives depend on it - because they do.’
How Not to Age is a groundbreaking exploration into the science of aging and longevity. With his trademark blend of meticulous research and accessible storytelling, Dr Michael Greger guides readers through the latest evidence-based strategies for living longer, healthier lives.
From debunking common myths to revealing the power of plant-based nutrition and lifestyle interventions, this book is a treasure trove of actionable advice. Whether you're a health enthusiast or simply curious about the secrets to aging well, Dr Greger's work is a must-read.
What truly sets this book apart is Dr Greger's unwavering commitment to evidence-based practices, ensuring that readers are armed with the most reliable information to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
How Not to Age isn't just a book – it's a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to defy the limitations of age and embrace a life filled with vitality and purpose. I adore Dr Greger and highly recommend all of his books.
My Highest Recommendation.
Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for gifting me a finished copy of this book.
Available now.
How Not to Age is a groundbreaking exploration into the science of aging and longevity. With his trademark blend of meticulous research and accessible storytelling, Dr Michael Greger guides readers through the latest evidence-based strategies for living longer, healthier lives.
From debunking common myths to revealing the power of plant-based nutrition and lifestyle interventions, this book is a treasure trove of actionable advice. Whether you're a health enthusiast or simply curious about the secrets to aging well, Dr Greger's work is a must-read.
What truly sets this book apart is Dr Greger's unwavering commitment to evidence-based practices, ensuring that readers are armed with the most reliable information to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
How Not to Age isn't just a book – it's a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to defy the limitations of age and embrace a life filled with vitality and purpose. I adore Dr Greger and highly recommend all of his books.
My Highest Recommendation.
Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for gifting me a finished copy of this book.
Available now.
November 2, 2023
This was....not good.
If you like his previous books you'll probably like this one. For me, I didn't find a lot of new information and it can't hold a candle to other recent "anti-aging" books I've read such as Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. Everything about Atia's book was superior for me. It was more casual, engaging, thought-provoking, less biased, and overall a more enjoyable listening and reading experience. With Atia I felt like a smart friend that happens to be a doctor was helping me choose my best life. I felt trapped at a horrible undergrad seminar with Gregor.
I think what bothered me most was how often Gregor references his other work. It is exhausting. In one slim chapter I counted 13 references to his previous books. I'm sure I missed a few.
It's almost as if he needed to mention on of them in every other paragraph.
I also found the text very repetitive and often wished he'd get to the point. This book is already SO LONG it needed some brevity and better pacing.
I fell asleep several times. He DOES present information and research but it is not succinct or engaging. Did I mention I was bored a lot? I'm a total science nerd who reads studies for fun...
Lastly, while Gregor makes a great effort at reading his own books and he isn't flat, his overproduction cartoon way of reading is starting to feel a little stale to me after all his books and videos. I think I would have preferred a more casual tone.
My other gripe is one I have with all his books: While I don't discount 2 tsp of black cumin per day might be a helpful thing for me to consume it is so reductionist. I also don't believe the centenarians of this world are clocking how much hibiscus tea they drink.
I suppose this book (and many like it) can be summed up simply as this: If you want to live well and age gracefully you have to eat whole plant foods that are minimally processed. Walk or yoga, do something other than watch football drinking beer and eating chips.
Many of the "superfoods" he suggests are the same ones you've heard 10,000 times like kale and green tea. Yawn.
Bottom line, not worth reading. He does have some informative free videos on his website/YT, though, and you can pick and choose which topics interest you or apply to you. OR not.
Thanks netgalley for my ARC/ALC.
If you like his previous books you'll probably like this one. For me, I didn't find a lot of new information and it can't hold a candle to other recent "anti-aging" books I've read such as Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity. Everything about Atia's book was superior for me. It was more casual, engaging, thought-provoking, less biased, and overall a more enjoyable listening and reading experience. With Atia I felt like a smart friend that happens to be a doctor was helping me choose my best life. I felt trapped at a horrible undergrad seminar with Gregor.
I think what bothered me most was how often Gregor references his other work. It is exhausting. In one slim chapter I counted 13 references to his previous books. I'm sure I missed a few.
It's almost as if he needed to mention on of them in every other paragraph.
I also found the text very repetitive and often wished he'd get to the point. This book is already SO LONG it needed some brevity and better pacing.
I fell asleep several times. He DOES present information and research but it is not succinct or engaging. Did I mention I was bored a lot? I'm a total science nerd who reads studies for fun...
Lastly, while Gregor makes a great effort at reading his own books and he isn't flat, his overproduction cartoon way of reading is starting to feel a little stale to me after all his books and videos. I think I would have preferred a more casual tone.
My other gripe is one I have with all his books: While I don't discount 2 tsp of black cumin per day might be a helpful thing for me to consume it is so reductionist. I also don't believe the centenarians of this world are clocking how much hibiscus tea they drink.
I suppose this book (and many like it) can be summed up simply as this: If you want to live well and age gracefully you have to eat whole plant foods that are minimally processed. Walk or yoga, do something other than watch football drinking beer and eating chips.
Many of the "superfoods" he suggests are the same ones you've heard 10,000 times like kale and green tea. Yawn.
Bottom line, not worth reading. He does have some informative free videos on his website/YT, though, and you can pick and choose which topics interest you or apply to you. OR not.
Thanks netgalley for my ARC/ALC.
June 3, 2023
This book is extremely well researched, and discusses the reasons that the American diet is the cause of many health problems and in fact shortens lifespan. Dr. Greger, citing many sources, advises us to eat a plant based diet. I don't think I can follow all of his recommendations, but I just bought a bag of kale and vowed to drink more green tea. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
December 1, 2023
A tome of nutritional research, "How Not to Age" offers a bevy of great tips to help you improve how you eat to extend your life. I came away from this with so many new possibilities to further change up my eating habits for the better.
I only have a few dings that bring it down a star...one, it's SO long. The author mitigates this a bit by offering easy-to-access links to videos and an extensive online bibliography. Even so it clocks in at nearly 650 pages, so be ready for that, particularly if you are on a digital reader and it seems like your percentage count is barely changing.
Additionally, the book advocates for 100% veganism, which is also the case in his previous book, "How Not to Die." That doesn't mean that you won't get a lot out of it if you are a pescatarian or meat eater--you will--but there is a very particular slant that excludes studies that show any positive benefits of dairy, fish, or meat.
That said, it's still very much worth a read for anyone who is trying to eat healthier and prevent disease.
I only have a few dings that bring it down a star...one, it's SO long. The author mitigates this a bit by offering easy-to-access links to videos and an extensive online bibliography. Even so it clocks in at nearly 650 pages, so be ready for that, particularly if you are on a digital reader and it seems like your percentage count is barely changing.
Additionally, the book advocates for 100% veganism, which is also the case in his previous book, "How Not to Die." That doesn't mean that you won't get a lot out of it if you are a pescatarian or meat eater--you will--but there is a very particular slant that excludes studies that show any positive benefits of dairy, fish, or meat.
That said, it's still very much worth a read for anyone who is trying to eat healthier and prevent disease.
December 2, 2023
*Deep Breath* Hold me back..seriously someone please come and calm me down. If you are looking to develop disordered eating, fear of food and anxiety about all the processes in your body then this is the book for you.
There is no doubt that Dr. Michael Greger has done years and years of research to compile his books, I have read his previous 2 books, each being in different stages of my life. I am sad to say his first book, How Not To Die made me fear that if I didn't eat according to his strict guidelines I would end up lazy, passed out on my coach with twinkies everywhere and a diagnosis of diabetes, heart disease and cancer (okay I am exaggerating my actual response, but you get the point)
Now some years later, I can sit here with my hamburger greased fingers and write this review from a much different (freer-er/happier / stronger) perspective.
Shall we begin?
The length of this book is incredibly long, I believe 25 hours of audio, ~ 900 pages and it can all be boiled down to his reverberating message : Eat a whole food plant based diet, no animal products and very few processed foods. Honestly I believe every chapter ended with some version of that.
Dr Greger addresses particular aspects of aging including memory loss, joint function, health conditions, cancer, arthritis etc in great detail and applaud all the work he seems to have put into this. For the average lay reader it is heavy on the medical jargon and quite a bit of medical lingo that I started to drown out. The book became very tedious and unless you have a certain passion as I believe most of Dr. Greger (and his goonies: Dr. Essenstyn, Dr Campbell, Rip, Barnard etc) do this book just feels like it will be preached to the choir if you will. Validating their strong belief that plants= good, animals= bad. You could almost use this book as the hammer to bang it into your head-literally have you seen how thick it is?
He is very strict about saying things like "Even after just 1 meal of animal protein will lead to........." Fill in the blank with whatever scare tactic he is discussing in that chapter. In my mind I am thinking the average American lives ~74 years (give or take) and if they are eating the average American diet thats a pretty decent life for sure, and they are getting t enjoy hamburgers, bacon and grilled cheese. Now please hear me the Average American Diet is alarmingly not good! We are not getting enough fruits and vegetables and whole grains, for sure. However if you are reasonable and stay active, eat your fruits and veggies (DAILY) and don't over do the "bad" (I hate using that term but I am so tired of big words thank you Dr. G) stuff you can still enjoy life. Food is meant to be enjoyed (not one extreme or the other) I think Dr G sucks the pleasure out of eating because he makes recommednations like you should be eating 5-6 prunes, broccoli sprouts to get sulpheraphane (Y'all if you want to know what gym socks taste lie....just get you some of those), sip Hiscus tea and eat black cumin.
So let me ask you....when was the last time you saw these obscure food items in your local grocery store? Or thought oooo I can't wait to wake up in the morning and eat my 5-6 prunes and drink my hibiscus tea while walking on my desk treadmil as my steel cut oats prepared with water (no salt or sugar) so I can go have a massive bowel movement? I think I prefer my mornings of XL cup of coffee and the freedom to have some bacon and eggs if I want, or cereal, or Aunt Jemima Pancakes (not pancakes made from flacs (still missing a certain key on my keyboard) seeds, bulger, applesauce and oats)
I will leave you with one more piece of evidence:
Dr Greger spouts off about how meat causes inflammation, but then he gives you some hope. Venison causes very little inflammation...so you get alll happy and ready to have a bambi burger then he hits you with "BUT" *Key in his demeaning judgemental voice* You could potentially get lead poisoning from the bullet that was used to kill the deer......
Do I honestly need to say anything else beside that? No.
((I do want to see people, be resonable,eat a well rounded diet, eat 5-6 servings of veggies, get your whole grains, stick to lean proteins,,,,but enjoy your food! Don't worry about such nit picky facts'''
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy listen of Dr. Greger's How Not To Age. I was neither influenced or paid for my honest review.
There is no doubt that Dr. Michael Greger has done years and years of research to compile his books, I have read his previous 2 books, each being in different stages of my life. I am sad to say his first book, How Not To Die made me fear that if I didn't eat according to his strict guidelines I would end up lazy, passed out on my coach with twinkies everywhere and a diagnosis of diabetes, heart disease and cancer (okay I am exaggerating my actual response, but you get the point)
Now some years later, I can sit here with my hamburger greased fingers and write this review from a much different (freer-er/happier / stronger) perspective.
Shall we begin?
The length of this book is incredibly long, I believe 25 hours of audio, ~ 900 pages and it can all be boiled down to his reverberating message : Eat a whole food plant based diet, no animal products and very few processed foods. Honestly I believe every chapter ended with some version of that.
Dr Greger addresses particular aspects of aging including memory loss, joint function, health conditions, cancer, arthritis etc in great detail and applaud all the work he seems to have put into this. For the average lay reader it is heavy on the medical jargon and quite a bit of medical lingo that I started to drown out. The book became very tedious and unless you have a certain passion as I believe most of Dr. Greger (and his goonies: Dr. Essenstyn, Dr Campbell, Rip, Barnard etc) do this book just feels like it will be preached to the choir if you will. Validating their strong belief that plants= good, animals= bad. You could almost use this book as the hammer to bang it into your head-literally have you seen how thick it is?
He is very strict about saying things like "Even after just 1 meal of animal protein will lead to........." Fill in the blank with whatever scare tactic he is discussing in that chapter. In my mind I am thinking the average American lives ~74 years (give or take) and if they are eating the average American diet thats a pretty decent life for sure, and they are getting t enjoy hamburgers, bacon and grilled cheese. Now please hear me the Average American Diet is alarmingly not good! We are not getting enough fruits and vegetables and whole grains, for sure. However if you are reasonable and stay active, eat your fruits and veggies (DAILY) and don't over do the "bad" (I hate using that term but I am so tired of big words thank you Dr. G) stuff you can still enjoy life. Food is meant to be enjoyed (not one extreme or the other) I think Dr G sucks the pleasure out of eating because he makes recommednations like you should be eating 5-6 prunes, broccoli sprouts to get sulpheraphane (Y'all if you want to know what gym socks taste lie....just get you some of those), sip Hiscus tea and eat black cumin.
So let me ask you....when was the last time you saw these obscure food items in your local grocery store? Or thought oooo I can't wait to wake up in the morning and eat my 5-6 prunes and drink my hibiscus tea while walking on my desk treadmil as my steel cut oats prepared with water (no salt or sugar) so I can go have a massive bowel movement? I think I prefer my mornings of XL cup of coffee and the freedom to have some bacon and eggs if I want, or cereal, or Aunt Jemima Pancakes (not pancakes made from flacs (still missing a certain key on my keyboard) seeds, bulger, applesauce and oats)
I will leave you with one more piece of evidence:
Dr Greger spouts off about how meat causes inflammation, but then he gives you some hope. Venison causes very little inflammation...so you get alll happy and ready to have a bambi burger then he hits you with "BUT" *Key in his demeaning judgemental voice* You could potentially get lead poisoning from the bullet that was used to kill the deer......
Do I honestly need to say anything else beside that? No.
((I do want to see people, be resonable,eat a well rounded diet, eat 5-6 servings of veggies, get your whole grains, stick to lean proteins,,,,but enjoy your food! Don't worry about such nit picky facts'''
Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy listen of Dr. Greger's How Not To Age. I was neither influenced or paid for my honest review.
December 6, 2023
As a long time reader of Dr. Greger's books and blogs, I had high expectations for this book -- and he still managed to exceed them. The text is lucid and engaging, the information supported with solid research, linked to reputable sources, and chuck full of actionable advice. As a bonus, it's a wondrous tour de force for a science geek like me, into the workings and wisdom of our bodies.
February 2, 2024
I have a ton to say about this book.
tldr; Read it don't listen to it, way, way, way too much information but all seeming well researched, science writing is hard, I get it, Greger is not good at it.
0. Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC
1. Hats off to Greger and crew for doing to insane amount of research that they obviously did, I am fairly sure I am not buying all of what they said but so much of it makes sense it is hard to discount the bulk. I have been a vegetarian for almost 30 years now so this is a bunch of confirmation bias but there were lots of facts I did not know.
2. Greger is a vegetarian evangelist, I wish he would have just included the conclusions from the research surveys he did, there are far too many "may help", "may contribute" Stick to the facts and it will be far more believable.
3. Greger, as a narrator, is not my bag baby. I could bring up examples of him being an objectively bad narrator but I suspect a (very)few listeners may not feel the same (they are wrong).
4. If you read this, be selective, go find the chapters that are interesting to you, go follow up with the videos on the topics that are realy interesting to you otherwise the firehose of information pins you to a wall and you don't get much out of anything.
5. Science writing is not easy, I am in awe of the the ones like Katie Mack and Brian Greene who can tell an engaging story along with teaching us science. I am not in awe of Greger
6. Why am I numbering these?
7. I am now inspired to read some better rated books than this, that maybe has a story to go along with it, does not get lost in the idea that vegetarianism can solve all/any health problems including cancer.
See 4 for recommended reading of this book. Lots of good information if you can extract it.
tldr; Read it don't listen to it, way, way, way too much information but all seeming well researched, science writing is hard, I get it, Greger is not good at it.
0. Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC
1. Hats off to Greger and crew for doing to insane amount of research that they obviously did, I am fairly sure I am not buying all of what they said but so much of it makes sense it is hard to discount the bulk. I have been a vegetarian for almost 30 years now so this is a bunch of confirmation bias but there were lots of facts I did not know.
2. Greger is a vegetarian evangelist, I wish he would have just included the conclusions from the research surveys he did, there are far too many "may help", "may contribute" Stick to the facts and it will be far more believable.
3. Greger, as a narrator, is not my bag baby. I could bring up examples of him being an objectively bad narrator but I suspect a (very)few listeners may not feel the same (they are wrong).
4. If you read this, be selective, go find the chapters that are interesting to you, go follow up with the videos on the topics that are realy interesting to you otherwise the firehose of information pins you to a wall and you don't get much out of anything.
5. Science writing is not easy, I am in awe of the the ones like Katie Mack and Brian Greene who can tell an engaging story along with teaching us science. I am not in awe of Greger
6. Why am I numbering these?
7. I am now inspired to read some better rated books than this, that maybe has a story to go along with it, does not get lost in the idea that vegetarianism can solve all/any health problems including cancer.
See 4 for recommended reading of this book. Lots of good information if you can extract it.
October 13, 2024
With 601 pages (excluding references), I think this Dr. Greger's biggest book. It's also the least accessible, containing the most science and medical terms. Compared to the other books, this does not have such easy to follow guidelines (such as the Daily Dozen). The conclusion of all Dr. Greger's research on aging are similar to the other books: eat a varied unprocessed diet, mostly plants. I wouldn't recommend this book to casual readers interested in health, How Not to Die is easier to understand and a more complete story overall. But if you have some knowledge on human biology and the medical field, it's an interesting deep dive.
December 20, 2023
Despite being a pharmacist and increasingly interested in the evidence behind the nutritional speculation, I found this book to be extremely long winded and quite repetitive and vague at times. The importance of eating more plant-based food and less processed food and animal products is the only clear message. I knew that before reading the book. I don’t think it is necessary or at all informative to cover so many pages with supplements and advice that is not beneficial. What supplements do we need to take, perhaps the book needed to focus more on those or at least provide a comprehensive list or summary at the end. Reading so much in depth research into supplements that are not beneficial is exhausting. Would like a summary of recommended steps to delay aging. Extremely well researched but much too long, repetitive and verbose for the average layman
February 24, 2024
tl;dr: Eat plants and exercise.
January 1, 2024
Dr. Michael Greger is a national treasure. With his science backed nutrition, he teaches us how to eat to fend off diseases.
In a nutshell: Eat more greens and other vegetables, more berries and other fruit, more beans, more whole grains and more nuts. Eat more Whole Foods which are plant based.
He recommends 90 minutes a day of walking or 40 minutes a day with more intense exercise.
For more info…His non profit organization, Nutritionfacts.org puts out 100s of videos on every science backed nutrition topic.
He also has a free app called Daily Dozen.
I couldn’t recommend this book more… when looking for the best nutrition advice, follow the money. If you have to pay a doctor for some magic supplement or procedure go back to science backed nutrition.
I listened to Michael Greger’s narration while I highlighted info in an ebook version I purchased. When you want more info on a specific subject he references the scientific studies where the info came from. In the ebook form of the book you can click right to them.
In a nutshell: Eat more greens and other vegetables, more berries and other fruit, more beans, more whole grains and more nuts. Eat more Whole Foods which are plant based.
He recommends 90 minutes a day of walking or 40 minutes a day with more intense exercise.
For more info…His non profit organization, Nutritionfacts.org puts out 100s of videos on every science backed nutrition topic.
He also has a free app called Daily Dozen.
I couldn’t recommend this book more… when looking for the best nutrition advice, follow the money. If you have to pay a doctor for some magic supplement or procedure go back to science backed nutrition.
I listened to Michael Greger’s narration while I highlighted info in an ebook version I purchased. When you want more info on a specific subject he references the scientific studies where the info came from. In the ebook form of the book you can click right to them.
November 26, 2023
So much fascinating information. This book covers a whole host of categories related to aging. Everything is thoroughly researched and distilled down to present readers with only the most valid knowledge and data. And the writing is refreshingly accessible, making it appropriate for all adult readers, i.e., you don't have to be a scientist to understand it!
This is a fantastic tome of knowledge for the home reference library, whether you're older and want to make the most of your remaining years, or you're younger and want to get a head start on protecting your body from the effects of aging.
Highly recommended.
This is a fantastic tome of knowledge for the home reference library, whether you're older and want to make the most of your remaining years, or you're younger and want to get a head start on protecting your body from the effects of aging.
Highly recommended.
April 5, 2024
As usual Dr Greger's books never fail to engage and give me useful tips on how to improve my health. I have read his earlier books How Not To Die and How Not To Diet, and watched his videos on YouTube so his approach of whole food, plant based diet is well known to me.
This book packs on a lot of additional information so I think it may not be for a single reading but useful as a reference book. While I am familiar with much of the info he advocates eg the benefits of amla, berries, greens etc, it is still useful to read the science that back these statements. I also gain new information of healthy foods that I can include more regularly to my diet.
For example, I learn about the value of lutein and zeaxanthin, the pigments that are protective for the eye's retina. How greens such as spinach and kale contain a lot of it, much more than eggs. And how goji berries rank supreme. I am Chinese, and in our traditional medicine and diet, goji berries are well-known to be beneficial to the eyes. And I make and drink goji berry tea (add some Chinese red dates for extra natural sweetness and warming effects, especially useful in winter). I also use it in traditional Chinese herbal soups receipes.
I also read about anthocyanins - the polyphenol found in dark coloured fruits and vegetables especially those with purple/blue/dark red tint eg blackberries, blueberries, black plums, eggplant, purple sweet potatoes, pomegranates. In Southeast Asia where I am from, the blue pea flower is practically growing wild as a climbing weed and the colour of the flower's dye is used to make purple rice in dumplings or to colour desserts in Peranakan or Malay cakes. So while blueberries may be pretty expensive for me as they are imported, I can drink blue pea flower tea practically for free! So that is useful for me!
This is a good read. Highly recommended.
This book packs on a lot of additional information so I think it may not be for a single reading but useful as a reference book. While I am familiar with much of the info he advocates eg the benefits of amla, berries, greens etc, it is still useful to read the science that back these statements. I also gain new information of healthy foods that I can include more regularly to my diet.
For example, I learn about the value of lutein and zeaxanthin, the pigments that are protective for the eye's retina. How greens such as spinach and kale contain a lot of it, much more than eggs. And how goji berries rank supreme. I am Chinese, and in our traditional medicine and diet, goji berries are well-known to be beneficial to the eyes. And I make and drink goji berry tea (add some Chinese red dates for extra natural sweetness and warming effects, especially useful in winter). I also use it in traditional Chinese herbal soups receipes.
I also read about anthocyanins - the polyphenol found in dark coloured fruits and vegetables especially those with purple/blue/dark red tint eg blackberries, blueberries, black plums, eggplant, purple sweet potatoes, pomegranates. In Southeast Asia where I am from, the blue pea flower is practically growing wild as a climbing weed and the colour of the flower's dye is used to make purple rice in dumplings or to colour desserts in Peranakan or Malay cakes. So while blueberries may be pretty expensive for me as they are imported, I can drink blue pea flower tea practically for free! So that is useful for me!
This is a good read. Highly recommended.
December 13, 2023
This is an extremely well researched book that uses countless studies to make a compelling argument that your diet should be whole food plant based.
February 24, 2024
Before starting this review, I want to underline the fact that just because you have spent a great amount of time working on something, it does not necessarily make it good.
I dived into this book hoping that it would have the same vibes as When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress which I thoroughly enjoyed as it felt like talking with an informed friend with no judgement.
Even though I enjoyed the first part of the book very much, as I kept reading I realised that it is incredibly repetitive and vague at times. I am not sure who this book is addressed to, as at some points it seems to greatly over-explain some things and in others it treats the reader like a peer.
One thing I greatly disliked was how pushy and judgmental reading this book felt at times. Fearmongering is not my go-to approach when it comes in this kind of matters because to be honest, who has the time to not only educate themselves but also apply the things they learned constantly in their every day life? I mean, I made an attempt to look for a way to get black cumin but I could not find it anywhere near me, so if I wanted it I needed to get it online and pay shipment as well. Well, I do not know about other people, but personally I don't have the economic means to support this decision.
Moreover, it felt like he was biased in some points and not considering that some of the things he mentioned have only been tested on men and do not necessarily apply to women the same way or even at all. In addition, his focused too heavily in the USA context which I think is kind of pointless if not mentioned in the synopsis of the book, since many things mentioned do not apply outside of the USA (ex. food regulations), so whole sections were not really this helpful.
The part where the book pretty much lost me was when he started referencing BMI, which is notoriously a non credible parameter to consider and can be very harmful in some cases. I just don't understand how he did such a rookie mistake when writing a book which is in other aspects so well researched.
I dived into this book hoping that it would have the same vibes as When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress which I thoroughly enjoyed as it felt like talking with an informed friend with no judgement.
Even though I enjoyed the first part of the book very much, as I kept reading I realised that it is incredibly repetitive and vague at times. I am not sure who this book is addressed to, as at some points it seems to greatly over-explain some things and in others it treats the reader like a peer.
One thing I greatly disliked was how pushy and judgmental reading this book felt at times. Fearmongering is not my go-to approach when it comes in this kind of matters because to be honest, who has the time to not only educate themselves but also apply the things they learned constantly in their every day life? I mean, I made an attempt to look for a way to get black cumin but I could not find it anywhere near me, so if I wanted it I needed to get it online and pay shipment as well. Well, I do not know about other people, but personally I don't have the economic means to support this decision.
Moreover, it felt like he was biased in some points and not considering that some of the things he mentioned have only been tested on men and do not necessarily apply to women the same way or even at all. In addition, his focused too heavily in the USA context which I think is kind of pointless if not mentioned in the synopsis of the book, since many things mentioned do not apply outside of the USA (ex. food regulations), so whole sections were not really this helpful.
The part where the book pretty much lost me was when he started referencing BMI, which is notoriously a non credible parameter to consider and can be very harmful in some cases. I just don't understand how he did such a rookie mistake when writing a book which is in other aspects so well researched.
November 5, 2023
Dr. Greger is known for his analyses of recent nutritional and health research — and this is the next in that series. "How Not to Age" summarizes research, draws conclusions and offers many tips to improve our odds of reaching a healthy and vibrant old age.
As with his previous books, I was unable to read this one from start to finish —it’s simply too dense for that— but cherry-picked my way around the book by searching on specific topics, food types and nutrients. For example, his discussion on coffee, decaf versus caffeinated, various brewing methods, whether milk is a good or bad thing to add was fascinating, deeply researched and useful. The entirety of the chapter in which coffee is covered, on the other hand, was overwhelming.
Dr. Gerger himself says that his aim is to “cover every possible angle for developing the optimal diet and lifestyle” — and he definitely does do that.
I’ll be dipping in and out of this book for a while!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy.
As with his previous books, I was unable to read this one from start to finish —it’s simply too dense for that— but cherry-picked my way around the book by searching on specific topics, food types and nutrients. For example, his discussion on coffee, decaf versus caffeinated, various brewing methods, whether milk is a good or bad thing to add was fascinating, deeply researched and useful. The entirety of the chapter in which coffee is covered, on the other hand, was overwhelming.
Dr. Gerger himself says that his aim is to “cover every possible angle for developing the optimal diet and lifestyle” — and he definitely does do that.
I’ll be dipping in and out of this book for a while!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy.
January 30, 2024
This is the third book by this author that I've listened to. So, as with this author's other books, I have similar things to say.
First, I find his passion for health and WFPB eating infectious. He lays out his reasons for following a WFPB diet with precision. When it comes to eating more veggies, most people would agree.
This book seemed way too long. He systematically broke each of his suggestions into fine tuned bullet points. But this could have been so much shorter.
He mentioned early on about wondering who funds the studies and research of those who have opposing views. Now with that said, I always ask that question when listening to health related books, podcasts, videos, etc. So the fact that he said that and then not once did he list any of those who funded his cherry picked studies seemed like the kettle calling the pot black. Some transparency on all of the different sides would be nice.
Anyways, out of his 3 books, this one seemed to be the most aggravating. There wasn't anything new in this. He tells his readers all the same things that would show up on page one of a google search. Now it's here...all in one place so 3 stars.
First, I find his passion for health and WFPB eating infectious. He lays out his reasons for following a WFPB diet with precision. When it comes to eating more veggies, most people would agree.
This book seemed way too long. He systematically broke each of his suggestions into fine tuned bullet points. But this could have been so much shorter.
He mentioned early on about wondering who funds the studies and research of those who have opposing views. Now with that said, I always ask that question when listening to health related books, podcasts, videos, etc. So the fact that he said that and then not once did he list any of those who funded his cherry picked studies seemed like the kettle calling the pot black. Some transparency on all of the different sides would be nice.
Anyways, out of his 3 books, this one seemed to be the most aggravating. There wasn't anything new in this. He tells his readers all the same things that would show up on page one of a google search. Now it's here...all in one place so 3 stars.
November 14, 2023
Michael Greger is the narrator for the audio recording of his book How Not to Age. I enjoyed his voice, it is very pleasant to listen to, and he interjected a bit of personality into a very informative book. How Not to Age was jam-packed with information about what to do and not to do in order to maintain and even improve your health as you get chronologically older. For anyone who is looking for information and motivation to improve their health habits, this is an excellent resource.
While I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you are ready for a deep-dive into the research into longevity and healthy aging, I suggest getting a hard copy to refer to while listening to the audio because there is just too much information and too much detail in the 28 hours of listening. There were many, many links to videos and other information that the author has posted online with even more detailed explanations of the concepts covered in the book. I was often frustrated that I did not have pen and paper handy to take a note as I listened!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of How Not to Age by Michael Greger. The opinions in this review are my own.
While I highly recommend reading this book, especially if you are ready for a deep-dive into the research into longevity and healthy aging, I suggest getting a hard copy to refer to while listening to the audio because there is just too much information and too much detail in the 28 hours of listening. There were many, many links to videos and other information that the author has posted online with even more detailed explanations of the concepts covered in the book. I was often frustrated that I did not have pen and paper handy to take a note as I listened!
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of How Not to Age by Michael Greger. The opinions in this review are my own.
Read
February 14, 2024The anti-aging industry is a multibillion dollar industry. Billion. With a B. Living in Los Angeles, I am all too familiar with peoples’ obsession with anti-aging—the creams, the serums, the botox…
I picked up this book because I loved Greger’s first book How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease, in addition to his The How Not to Die Cookbook. I work in the health and wellness industry, specifically and strictly with older adults, and I love the science behind nutrition—how we can use food to actually fuel our body and cure its ailments—so it is really the perfect reference book for me.
When many people think about aging, they typically relate it to a decline in physical health. In this book, Greger works to abolish that thought process by taking anti-aging research and his vast knowledge of nutrition to prove to readers that the right food can help us combat chronic illness and avoid common diseases and ailments related to aging—dementia, arthritis, Parkinson’s, etc. This book addresses not only lifespan but healthspan. How can we live longer in wellness?
I’m not particularly fond of the book’s title because I think it can be misleading and, quite frankly, we are all going to age whether we like it or not. Greger explains this in his book: “This book is not about immortality but rather how to age with grace and vitality rather than suffering from the ravages of infirmity and decrepitude.”
Now, to be fair, I didn’t read this word for word. I would lose my mind if I did that. I skipped around a bit, finding the topics of research that were most interesting to me and most pertained to my line of work. This book works best that way, I think. Keeping it around for reference rather than a cover to cover kind of read; returning when you deem necessary. I appreciate that Greger and his team did all of the work to compile this research and make it easily digestible.
I picked up this book because I loved Greger’s first book How Not to Die: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease, in addition to his The How Not to Die Cookbook. I work in the health and wellness industry, specifically and strictly with older adults, and I love the science behind nutrition—how we can use food to actually fuel our body and cure its ailments—so it is really the perfect reference book for me.
When many people think about aging, they typically relate it to a decline in physical health. In this book, Greger works to abolish that thought process by taking anti-aging research and his vast knowledge of nutrition to prove to readers that the right food can help us combat chronic illness and avoid common diseases and ailments related to aging—dementia, arthritis, Parkinson’s, etc. This book addresses not only lifespan but healthspan. How can we live longer in wellness?
I’m not particularly fond of the book’s title because I think it can be misleading and, quite frankly, we are all going to age whether we like it or not. Greger explains this in his book: “This book is not about immortality but rather how to age with grace and vitality rather than suffering from the ravages of infirmity and decrepitude.”
Now, to be fair, I didn’t read this word for word. I would lose my mind if I did that. I skipped around a bit, finding the topics of research that were most interesting to me and most pertained to my line of work. This book works best that way, I think. Keeping it around for reference rather than a cover to cover kind of read; returning when you deem necessary. I appreciate that Greger and his team did all of the work to compile this research and make it easily digestible.
February 8, 2025
A midlife switch between the ages of forty-four and sixty-five to even just the barest of minimums—at least five daily servings (of) fruits and vegetables, walking about twenty minutes a day, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking—resulted in a substantial reduction in mortality even in the immediate future. (p. 597)
Dr. Michael Greger presents the reader with a heavily referenced book on how to slow aging. The first section lays a foundation with different indications of recognizing lifespan and healhspan. Next, he discusses the best regimen for living a long life, not only with diet, but also lifestyle, sleep, social ties, and other things. In the third section, he focuses on different organs such as the heart, skin, sexual organs, hair, and what the research indicates. Finally, he offers Dr. Greger's Anti-Aging Eight, some of which seems very practical and some which seem rather difficult to understand. In addition, he provides links to videos and other information related to most of the topics he covers.
This book is very good and provides a lot of helpful information. Frankly, sections 1 and 4 were difficult for me to understand. I had to read some sentences two or three times, and I still don't understand NAD or sirtuins or telomeres. However, one thing came through clearly--eat your fruits and vegetables, lots of them, because they are very good for you. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially beans, can help overcome the feelings of fragility you may feel as you age and help you fight chronic disease.
One of the things that did frustrate me was his frequent referrals to evolution to substantiate his point, especially since what may have happened 230 million years ago is only an assumption. It's rather hard to check the microbial health of the spoor which has fossilized.
Still, if you have tried numerous diets, want to get your blood sugar or blood pressure down, this is a good book to consider, even if you read only sections 2 and 3.
Dr. Michael Greger presents the reader with a heavily referenced book on how to slow aging. The first section lays a foundation with different indications of recognizing lifespan and healhspan. Next, he discusses the best regimen for living a long life, not only with diet, but also lifestyle, sleep, social ties, and other things. In the third section, he focuses on different organs such as the heart, skin, sexual organs, hair, and what the research indicates. Finally, he offers Dr. Greger's Anti-Aging Eight, some of which seems very practical and some which seem rather difficult to understand. In addition, he provides links to videos and other information related to most of the topics he covers.
This book is very good and provides a lot of helpful information. Frankly, sections 1 and 4 were difficult for me to understand. I had to read some sentences two or three times, and I still don't understand NAD or sirtuins or telomeres. However, one thing came through clearly--eat your fruits and vegetables, lots of them, because they are very good for you. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, especially beans, can help overcome the feelings of fragility you may feel as you age and help you fight chronic disease.
One of the things that did frustrate me was his frequent referrals to evolution to substantiate his point, especially since what may have happened 230 million years ago is only an assumption. It's rather hard to check the microbial health of the spoor which has fossilized.
Still, if you have tried numerous diets, want to get your blood sugar or blood pressure down, this is a good book to consider, even if you read only sections 2 and 3.
November 19, 2023
How Not to Age
Author: Michael Greger
Publish Date: December 5, 2023
Publisher: Flatiron Books
My rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
“Senescent "zombie" cells that spew inflammation and are linked to many age-related diseases may be cleared in part with quercetin-rich foods like onions, apples, and kale.” This book is full of well-researched insight on how nutrition can reduce the rate at which your body is deteriorating. This book is so good, I bought two more books by this author before I even finished this one. Go ahead and preorder and prepare to annotate!
#bookstagram #books #newrelease #bookreview #book #nonfiction #health #betterhealth #nutrition
Author: Michael Greger
Publish Date: December 5, 2023
Publisher: Flatiron Books
My rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
“Senescent "zombie" cells that spew inflammation and are linked to many age-related diseases may be cleared in part with quercetin-rich foods like onions, apples, and kale.” This book is full of well-researched insight on how nutrition can reduce the rate at which your body is deteriorating. This book is so good, I bought two more books by this author before I even finished this one. Go ahead and preorder and prepare to annotate!
#bookstagram #books #newrelease #bookreview #book #nonfiction #health #betterhealth #nutrition
November 2, 2023
It was abundantly clear throughout this that Greger has thoroughly researched to pull this book together and I loved how he has brought all of this research together into one place for us and made it accessible.
I really enjoyed that I never felt lectured or like I was being told ‘this is the only way to be healthy’ or ‘you must do this’. Greger just presents the facts and does all the leg work or researching, reviewing and bringing it all together so that we have all the information we need to make the best choices for us. I’m already vegetarian and coincidentally eat a lot of what he mentions as being positive but it did make me think about some dietary choices I make and I will definitely be trying to limit my milk in my coffee and drink some more green tea!
My only criticism is that it’s long, really long. But having now finished it I don’t think this is the sort of book that’s really meant to be read all together. I mean you certainly can read it all cover to cover, but I think its strength lies in its comprehensiveness and in the fact you can refer back to this in the future and know it will have the statistics for you. It almost felt like a very digestible and palatable textbook - and I mean that in the best way possible! It feels like the cheat sheet to eating well and something that I could pick up on an afternoon and read a section whenever I want to refresh my memory.
In short, I feel much more well informed after finishing this and I can see myself wanting to refer back to this again in the future as it really does have a wealth of information contained in it.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
I really enjoyed that I never felt lectured or like I was being told ‘this is the only way to be healthy’ or ‘you must do this’. Greger just presents the facts and does all the leg work or researching, reviewing and bringing it all together so that we have all the information we need to make the best choices for us. I’m already vegetarian and coincidentally eat a lot of what he mentions as being positive but it did make me think about some dietary choices I make and I will definitely be trying to limit my milk in my coffee and drink some more green tea!
My only criticism is that it’s long, really long. But having now finished it I don’t think this is the sort of book that’s really meant to be read all together. I mean you certainly can read it all cover to cover, but I think its strength lies in its comprehensiveness and in the fact you can refer back to this in the future and know it will have the statistics for you. It almost felt like a very digestible and palatable textbook - and I mean that in the best way possible! It feels like the cheat sheet to eating well and something that I could pick up on an afternoon and read a section whenever I want to refresh my memory.
In short, I feel much more well informed after finishing this and I can see myself wanting to refer back to this again in the future as it really does have a wealth of information contained in it.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
October 25, 2023
How not to age by Micheal Greger M.D.
Netgalley review
4 stars
This is not my typical read but I wanted to give it a try. This was a pleasant surprise in how in-depth and well researched this book is and really explains to you the benefits of everything from diet to exercise. It works as a wonderful motivator to make healthy changes in your life and gives you access to outside resources to quickly look further into anything you may have more interest in.
The only drawback I found from this read is it is so damn long. This works completely in its favor to provide so much rich content but it also limits its reader base as an average person seeking a healthier lifestyle book probably won't pick up a pick chunky book and dive in the deep end.
Netgalley review
4 stars
This is not my typical read but I wanted to give it a try. This was a pleasant surprise in how in-depth and well researched this book is and really explains to you the benefits of everything from diet to exercise. It works as a wonderful motivator to make healthy changes in your life and gives you access to outside resources to quickly look further into anything you may have more interest in.
The only drawback I found from this read is it is so damn long. This works completely in its favor to provide so much rich content but it also limits its reader base as an average person seeking a healthier lifestyle book probably won't pick up a pick chunky book and dive in the deep end.
June 30, 2025
Truly a life-changing book. This book opened my eyes to a whole new path to healthy living! I had heard of Dr. Greger before but never read How Not to Die or any of his other books, so I wasn't sure what to expect. As a sometimes meat eater that cooks for a husband that wants meat with his meals I have found the plan hard to stick to but I love the Daily Dozen app and we have both started using it to track our fruit/veg/bean intake as a first step to better health! Highly recommend for anyone looking for more information on the health benefits of the vegan diet.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
September 5, 2023
Dr Greger has done a great job of delivering scientific information with occasional wit and humor. I am hooked on this approach, it adds a personal touch as though one is conversing with their longtime personal doctor beyond the twenty minute allotment allowed in medicine today. I will keep this book at the ready for quick reference as I continue to age, armed with information that knowledge and understanding is indeed power. Thank you Dr Greger!
December 16, 2023
I started reading this book on December 8, 2023, and I was immediately horrified by the 600+ pages set in 8 pt (maybe smaller) font!
I've read his previous books, but something made this one impenetrable for me. It's like a WALL of text -- impossible to even skim for takeaways.
I adore Dr. Greger, but I simply couldn't muster the energy to slog through this one.
I've read his previous books, but something made this one impenetrable for me. It's like a WALL of text -- impossible to even skim for takeaways.
I adore Dr. Greger, but I simply couldn't muster the energy to slog through this one.
December 4, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this as I truly love learning everything I can about our health and what we’re doing to our bodies. But there was so much information in this book that I had to stop trying to take it all in and just choose which areas I wanted to focus on, considering I’m not reading this for school or a test.
I have changed a few things in my diet based on the authors recommendations (which were highly researched with plenty of scientific backing). I’d recommend reading this if you’re already somewhat healthy in your diet and daily routine, to provide a bit more insight into how to go a step (or two) further.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Looking forward to reading his other book, How Not to Die, after reading this one.
I have changed a few things in my diet based on the authors recommendations (which were highly researched with plenty of scientific backing). I’d recommend reading this if you’re already somewhat healthy in your diet and daily routine, to provide a bit more insight into how to go a step (or two) further.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. Looking forward to reading his other book, How Not to Die, after reading this one.
March 2, 2024
I tried my hardest to like this book but it reads more like an anti-animal product book than a book on how not to age. He should have titled this book “How to Eat to Not Age” instead of “How not to Age”. It also says essentially the same things as his other two books which made me feel as if I were wasting my time reading this. In addition to saying the same things over and over again, he chooses NOT to talk about or spend much time on some pretty important topics related to maintaining health into your twilight years.
He did not do justice on his chapter on preserving muscle. There is significant nuance in the subject that isn’t even acknowledged because he spends all of his time talking about, you guessed it, eating plants. There was no mention of the differences between high load, low rep and low load, high rep exercises. No mention of how the nervous system responds differently to different mechanical loads. No in depth discussion on how muscle strength and size are not the same thing. I could go on but my point is he thought it was more important to talk about plants in a chapter that should have had a heavier focus on exercise.
As a personal trainer, who has a degree in Kinesiology and works with the older demographic, it is a complete disservice to call this book “How not to Age” and not discuss, in depth, strength training and aerobic exercise. He used that section of his book to go on a tirade about animal protein vs plant protein. It felt like he was using it as an opportunity to push the vegan/vegetarian diet. It completely detracts from the point that older adults (especially those that have been sedentary for most of their lives) should focus more on movement and weight bearing exercises.
Cutting out an important, nuanced topic such as that to talk about plants, the same plants he talks about in the other 500+ pages in the book, just shows how he is no less biased than anyone else in the industry trying to sell books to people looking for answers.
Again, I tried my hardest to like this book but Dr. Greger seems more interested in talking about eating plants and fear mongering about animal based products than presenting information that would actually benefit the person reading the book (i.e. lifting heavy mechanical loads to maintain muscle strength and bone mineral density). My problem is not what he says in this book. My problem is what he is not saying and not discussing in favor of talking about blueberries, garlic, and turmeric 50 times.
Maintaining health into your old age is a WAY more nuanced topic than he lets on in this book and can’t be boiled down just to what you eat. A whole food, plant based diet is not a panacea even though Dr. Greger treats it like it is. To call this a book on how not to age is laughable. This is a book on vegan/vegetarianism disguised as a book on aging. Getting through this book was like pulling teeth.
He did not do justice on his chapter on preserving muscle. There is significant nuance in the subject that isn’t even acknowledged because he spends all of his time talking about, you guessed it, eating plants. There was no mention of the differences between high load, low rep and low load, high rep exercises. No mention of how the nervous system responds differently to different mechanical loads. No in depth discussion on how muscle strength and size are not the same thing. I could go on but my point is he thought it was more important to talk about plants in a chapter that should have had a heavier focus on exercise.
As a personal trainer, who has a degree in Kinesiology and works with the older demographic, it is a complete disservice to call this book “How not to Age” and not discuss, in depth, strength training and aerobic exercise. He used that section of his book to go on a tirade about animal protein vs plant protein. It felt like he was using it as an opportunity to push the vegan/vegetarian diet. It completely detracts from the point that older adults (especially those that have been sedentary for most of their lives) should focus more on movement and weight bearing exercises.
Cutting out an important, nuanced topic such as that to talk about plants, the same plants he talks about in the other 500+ pages in the book, just shows how he is no less biased than anyone else in the industry trying to sell books to people looking for answers.
Again, I tried my hardest to like this book but Dr. Greger seems more interested in talking about eating plants and fear mongering about animal based products than presenting information that would actually benefit the person reading the book (i.e. lifting heavy mechanical loads to maintain muscle strength and bone mineral density). My problem is not what he says in this book. My problem is what he is not saying and not discussing in favor of talking about blueberries, garlic, and turmeric 50 times.
Maintaining health into your old age is a WAY more nuanced topic than he lets on in this book and can’t be boiled down just to what you eat. A whole food, plant based diet is not a panacea even though Dr. Greger treats it like it is. To call this a book on how not to age is laughable. This is a book on vegan/vegetarianism disguised as a book on aging. Getting through this book was like pulling teeth.
April 15, 2024
I read How Not to Die last year and loved it, so I was excited to see a new book from Dr. Michael Greger. I also recently read Outlive by Dr. Peter Attia and am about to finally read a similar anti-aging book from Mayo Clinic that I've had an e-ARC of for awhile but haven't gotten to, so this seems to be my new book genre. I see a lot of people on the internet (reddit, mostly) pitting Greger and Attia against each other, so I'll address some of the similarities/differences here.
This book is DENSE. The physical book is basically Bible paper and she is a thick book. So much information, much of which is available on his website for free. In full disclosure, I probably didn't read every word in this book, because I did skip around a bit to look things up that were most of interest, and similarly looked up additional info from the book on his site and in the extra material (there are multiple URLs in the book where you can dig more deeply into the references and additional info that didn't fit into the book, because it was too long as is lol).
Overall, this book is well sourced. Yes, there is definitely a whole food plant-based bias (which is fine with me as a 99% vegan/1% vegetarian because I do enjoy cheese now and then).
This book is much more technical than Attia's book, and it is also much more straightforward in the presentation (e.g., it doesn't have the anecdotes/storytelling the Outlive has, but it does have some dry humor here and there). There are several topics that are addressed by both authors and have similar findings (e.g., AMPK), which is nice that two popular books/longevity researchers aren't presenting conflicting science.
If I were going to use a book as a reference to have on my shelf, I would likely select this one over Outlive, just because there's more information in it and has information that I may want to refer back to in the future. Attia's book, however, is probably more beginner-friendly because of the narrative storytelling arc. I would recommend either/both to anyone who is interested in learning more about these topics.
This book is DENSE. The physical book is basically Bible paper and she is a thick book. So much information, much of which is available on his website for free. In full disclosure, I probably didn't read every word in this book, because I did skip around a bit to look things up that were most of interest, and similarly looked up additional info from the book on his site and in the extra material (there are multiple URLs in the book where you can dig more deeply into the references and additional info that didn't fit into the book, because it was too long as is lol).
Overall, this book is well sourced. Yes, there is definitely a whole food plant-based bias (which is fine with me as a 99% vegan/1% vegetarian because I do enjoy cheese now and then).
This book is much more technical than Attia's book, and it is also much more straightforward in the presentation (e.g., it doesn't have the anecdotes/storytelling the Outlive has, but it does have some dry humor here and there). There are several topics that are addressed by both authors and have similar findings (e.g., AMPK), which is nice that two popular books/longevity researchers aren't presenting conflicting science.
If I were going to use a book as a reference to have on my shelf, I would likely select this one over Outlive, just because there's more information in it and has information that I may want to refer back to in the future. Attia's book, however, is probably more beginner-friendly because of the narrative storytelling arc. I would recommend either/both to anyone who is interested in learning more about these topics.
December 26, 2023
The book felt like a slog to read and there was so much unhelpful information. Having read the last 2 books and having seen all the videos on NutiritonFacts.org (that he continually references in the book, which seemed weird and annoying), there wasn't actually any new information here for me.
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