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Healthy Aging

by Andrew Weil

3.76 · rating details · 249 ratings · 40 reviews

Spontaneous Healing . . . Eight Weeks to Optimum Health . . . Eating Well for Optimum Health . . . The Healthy Kitchen–in each of his widely acclaimed, best-selling books, Dr. Andrew Weil has been an authoritative and companionable guide through a uniquely effective combination of traditional and nontraditional approaches to health and healthy living. Now he gives us a boo...moreSpontaneous Healing . . . Eight Weeks to Optimum Health . . . Eating Well for Optimum Health . . . The Healthy Kitchen–in each of his widely acclaimed, best-selling books, Dr. Andrew Weil has been an authoritative and companionable guide through a uniquely effective combination of traditional and nontraditional approaches to health and healthy living. Now he gives us a book about aging that is unlike any other in the breadth and depth of its information and understanding. Hugely informative, practical, and uplifting, it is infused with the engaging candor and common sense that have been the hallmarks of all his books.

At the heart of Healthy Aging is Dr. Weil’s belief that although aging is an irreversible process, there are myriad things we can do to keep our minds and bodies in good working order through all phases of life. To that end, he draws on the new science of biogerentology (the biology of aging) as well as on the secrets of healthy longevity– diet, activity, and attitude–that he has gathered firsthand from cultures around the world.
In Part One–“The Science and Philosophy of Healthy Aging”–he explains how the body ages, and he explores the impact of gender, genes, environment, and lifestyle on an individual’s experience and perception of the process of aging. He describes the various would-be elixirs of life extension–herbs, hormones, and antiaging “medicines”–separating myth from fact and clearly delineating the difference between the spurious notions of preventing or reversing the process of aging and the real possibilities of inhibiting or delaying the onset of diseases that become more likely as we age. He writes movingly about the ways in which an acceptance of aging can be a significant part of doing it well, and of recognizing and appreciating the great rewards of growing older: depth and richness of experience, complexity of being, serenity, wisdom, and its own kind of power and grace.

In Part Two–“How to Age Gracefully”–Weil details an easy-to-implement Anti-inflammatory Diet that will protect the immune system and aid your body in resisting and adapting to the changes that time brings. And he provides extensive practical advice on exercise; preventive health care; stress management; physical, mental, and emotional flexibility; and spiritual enhancement–all of which can help you achieve and maintain the best health throughout the lifelong process of aging.

Healthy Aging–a book for people of all ages–is Andrew Weil’s most important and far-reaching book yet.

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Published September 27th 2005 by Random House Audio

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Sep 24, 2011

Shellie (Layers of Thought) rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: super health nuts and perhaps organic grains

Shelves: element-aging-death, genre-cooking-health, genre-spirituality-religion, read-in-2011

2.5 starts actually.

The adage: "getting old is not for sissies" should be the subtitle for this book. Although Weil does so kindly and realistically the truth of the matter is there is nothing we can do to completely stop aging. But we can live a healthy life, a balanced life, a contemplative life.

This book is an overview of one of my favorite health, diet and well being books by this Physician/new age science guru who mixes Eastern and Western medical advice. H...more

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Dec 30, 2008

Kay rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2008

This book had some very interesting information and I agree with the doctor's approach. However, for me, the first half of the book was a waste of time. That's because I do want to age gracefully, not reverse the aging process nor mask it with cosmetic surgery or expensive skin treatments. So the first half of the book, which scientifically explains the aging process, explains why it cannot be reversed, and debunks the effectiveness of expensive and popular attempts to mask the appearance of ...more

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Jul 12, 2007

Jennings rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: healthwellbeing

I enjoy reading every health/fitness newsbite that comes along, so many books on the subject seem to be rehashes but with a lot more words, to pump up the price. There's a lot of that in this book: Get enough sleep? Well, duh!

That said, the explanation of the whole anti-inflammation thing was very well done, there is an excellent guide of things to look for in a vitamin supplement, and the section dealing with the inevitability of aging and death made the whole book worthwhile -- sim...more

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Apr 10, 2010

Helynne rated it

· review of another edition

In this study, the 60-plus Dr. Weil urges readers to forget about cosmetic surgeries and other fruitless ways to seek a modern-day fountain of youth, and instead, to respect the inevitable process of aging and take steps to make sure one’s advancing golden years are as healthy and comfortable as possible. He warns about the “unrelenting images and messages from the media that tell us that youth is where it’s at, that growing old is a disaster, that the worth of life peaks early,” (119-20), and...moreIn this study, the 60-plus Dr. Weil urges readers to forget about cosmetic surgeries and other fruitless ways to seek a modern-day fountain of youth, and instead, to respect the inevitable process of aging and take steps to make sure one’s advancing golden years are as healthy and comfortable as possible. He warns about the “unrelenting images and messages from the media that tell us that youth is where it’s at, that growing old is a disaster, that the worth of life peaks early,” (119-20), and hastens to add that he disagrees, and urges us all to develop our aging voices and authority as a living link to the past and to discover and realize the value of growing older. His first chapter describes the chemical and biological cellular aging process and assures us of the futility of seeking remedies to prevent ourselves from getting or looking older. “It’s one thing to work toward prevention, early diagnosis, reversal and modification of diseases that become more likely as people age,” he says. “It is something else entirely to talk about preventing or reversing the process of aging” (56). Weil’s chapters three and four analyze the reasons for as well as the denial of aging, but he hastens to put our advancing years in a positive light. “Because aging reminds us of our morality, it can be a primary stimulus to spiritual awakening and growth” (95). An interim chapter describes the life of Jenny Weil, the author’s charming, energetic mother, who was active and mentally sharp up until her death at age 93. Because she took care of herself in her later years, she managed to avoid the cancers and Alzheimer’s that plagued her parents and sisters. The second half of the book—“How to Age Gracefully”-- contains instructions on how to prepare ourselves for a healthy aging pattern like Jenny’s. Weil is adamant about the importance of exercise, although he warns that as people age, the same activities they once enjoyed might no longer be appropriate. (Nevertheless, the author admits that just before he wrote this book, he managed to do some “tornado chasing” in the Midwest and run with the bulls Hemmingway-style in Pamplona, Spain—not something he would recommend for the rest of us). He suggests gentler aerobic activities such as walking and swimming as opposed to running and contact sports, and warns against the potentially harmful adage of “pushing through the pain.” The same caveat goes for sex. If our older bodies can still handle it, fine. If not, we should wax philosophical and not worry about it. The goal is not eternal youth, but “compressed morbidity—the ability to adapt to the changes that times bring and to arrive in old age with minimal deficits and discomforts. . .. to enjoy and share with others the genuine rewards that aging can bestow” (129). Subsequent chapters give detailed advice about the anti-inflammatory diet (Japanese and Mediterranean style—lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish; easy on the red meat, sugar and fat) and what supplements to take in pill form for optimum nutrition. Weil discusses the value of breath work, relaxation techniques, meditation, humor, and “learned optimism” in promoting healthy, relaxing later years. “Live in accordance with nature, unlearn the habit of judging everything as good or bad, distinguish what is within your power to change and what is not ” (214). As for the aging brain, he urges the use of mind-strengthening games and puzzles to ward off the threat of memory loss and diminishing mental power. In particular, he recommends learning to use a new computer operating system and/or learning a foreign language to keep the mind sharp. “Education compresses brain/mind morbidity” (221). His final two chapters contain advice on how to enhance one’s spiritual health and well being. “I believe in multiple realities. . . I believe in magic and mystery. I am also committed to scientific method and knowledge based on evidence . . .I operate from a both –and mentality, not an either-or one,” are Dr. Weil’s parting words just before the two-page appendix that contains "a Twelve-point Program for Healthy Aging."(less)

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Mar 26, 2009

Mark rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: partially-read

This book was awful. I'm saying 'partially read' because after trying to slog through the first half (summary: You Are Going To Die And There Is Nothing You Can Do About It) I skipped ahead 50 pages or so to the more practical second half.

The author's writing style didn't engage me - he would go into far too much technical detail on things I had no interest in (like the oxidation theory of why we get older and die). Or he would vacillate between giving me far too much background ...more

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Nov 05, 2009

Richard Beaty rated it

· review of another edition

This is the second time I've read this book. It is a good look at the processes one goes through as we age through life. It gives a good perspective on what happens with our bodies, minds and spirits as we grow older. It provides cultural perspectives on age. It provides suggestions for the care of one's self throughout life so that the time we spend will, for as long as possible, be healthy in all ways. It acknowledges that we all will come to the end of life - but it provides guidance on ...more

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Feb 23, 2010

Spider rated it

There was certainly some sound & helpful info here. What I didn't like was what sounded to me like Weil was saying about some stuff was drawn more from personal preference & his outlook for himself. I got the impression that he thought our ladies creams & lotions were a waste of time. Fine! Then why does he sell a line of creams & lotions- Origins? For which I paid over $80.00 a few years ago! I no longer use his products. Nice, but they didn't work for me. Ok, enough peevishness! There real...more

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Feb 25, 2009

Bob Klein rated it

· review of another edition

Andrew Weil is amazing. Love to have a 1-hour audience with him to talk allergies and nutrition given my wierdo allergies. I didn't learn as much from the book (that I didn't already know) as I thought I might. This is probably a great first-read for some (older) one not familiar with Weil, Integrative Medicine, or who hasn't been paying attention to discourse on health. Recommended (for the right audience). I think I'll try 8 Weeks to Optimum Health next.

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Jan 27, 2008

Dan rated it

· review of another edition

Getting birthday gifts is always a joy. It means that people have remembered you and love you. It’s the thought that counts, always. For my most recent birthday, my mom got me one of the best gifts a person can give or receive... a book! Concerned with my health (the lifestyle of a retail manager is not conducive to practices of good health or longevity), she bought me a book by Dr. Weil on the topic of aging healthfully. It also had the side effect of further convincing me that I’m already old....moreGetting birthday gifts is always a joy. It means that people have remembered you and love you. It’s the thought that counts, always. For my most recent birthday, my mom got me one of the best gifts a person can give or receive... a book! Concerned with my health (the lifestyle of a retail manager is not conducive to practices of good health or longevity), she bought me a book by Dr. Weil on the topic of aging healthfully. It also had the side effect of further convincing me that I’m already old. *laughs* Any of my friends will tell you that I complain bitterly about my age, although I know that one’s mid thirties doesn’t confer elderly status.

I was actually excited to read this book and glean any sound information and advice that Dr. Weil had to share. Therefore, I’ll regard cracking the spine and removing the dust cover as my first mistake. This book is split almost evenly into two sections. The first part deals with accepting aging and death and embracing it, as well as discussing the technical and scientific details on various theories surrounding the aging process. The second half of the book talks about strategies for long-term health maintenance. It’s a wonder and monument to my patience that I ever made it to the second half of this book, because the first part is downright morbid. Granted, one’s opinion of the first section would vary based on personal philosophy, and to be fair I need to acknowledge that fact, but it wasn’t my expectation to read a book called “Healthy Aging”, only to unearth reasons that I should be happy for my mortality. I feel the book’s title itself is in error. A more appropriate title for the first part alone, might be “Healthy Dying” (imagine the irony) or “A Race Towards a Happy Grave”

Personally, while I do cherish and wish to keep my health and I do understand that the experience of my years do contribute to the full body of my knowledge, opinions, and essence, if you will, it’s not my intention to be happy to die. I will die. I’m not fond of this fact. Like most everyone else who has ever lived, I hope my death is painless and swift. I hope I’m not aware of my own passing. I hope my suffering is short or nonexistent, not that I get a say in any of this. And I don’t want to live forever. At some point, life takes it’s toll in lost loved ones and some day I’ll be ready and maybe even eager to join them in rest.

But for crying out loud, I don’t want to read a book on the subject, especially when it was my positive intention to read a book on the avoidance of my mortality, to the extent logically possible or rational.

As I finished the first half of the book, I was pleadingly hopeful that the second part of the book would be better, and it was, marginally. Dr. Weil won’t be remembered (hey, he was the one who brings up postmortem legacy!) as a smooth or eloquent author, but the book’s closing half does provide rational, scientifically valid information pertaining to the execution (more death references!) of a healthy life style into one’s advancing years.

He does address seemingly useful topics and raises interesting points about nutrition and supplements as well as lifestyle changes that can, one would hope, lengthen the time that we spend as healthy elderly people. Not that I can be sure... I could be convinced that he spent the first half of the book on the grim reaper’s payroll.

At the end of the day, I only recommend reading the second half of the book. If you do, do yourself and check this book out of the library. I don’t know where this book belongs on my bookshelf, but it’ll likely find a home in a dusty corner. I could imagine a time when I peruse the book’s second half in reference book format, but I don’t see this book getting a second read. The writing is less than engaging or fantastic and something about his tone seems amiss in a way I can’t exactly pinpoint. The best thing I can say about this book, at this very moment, is that I’ve finished it.(less)

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Sep 07, 2009

Gabrielle rated it

· review of another edition

Really awesome. I have always liked Dr. Weil's reasonable down-to-earth approach. His ideas about what he calls "compression of morbidity" (living most of life as a healthy and well person, with a rapid, short decline at the end of life, rather than hanging on and suffering with many old-age ailments) are explained well here and he has many sensible suggestions for how to start living now to try to attain this goal. (This book is not "just for old people!")

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Jan 05, 2011

Eden rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 24, 2008

Mace rated it

· review of another edition

This book is a follow up to his best seller Eight Weeks to Optimum Health and it includes many of his dietary suggestions outlined in his 8 week program. I enjoyed Dr. Weil's conclusions and case studies about longevity theory pertaining to Okinawan centurions in Japan.

Extraordinary longevity and documented cases, both male and females living in Okinawa, Japan. Key diet variables impacting this statistical mystery is their regular consumption of both Goya and Tumeric.

Goya...more

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May 27, 2009

AuthorsOnTourLive! rated it

· review of another edition

Dr. Andrew Weil, a graduate of Harvard Medical School, is the author of 10 previous books including Spontaneous Healing, Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, Eating Well for Optimum Health and, with Rosie Daley, The Healthy Kitchen. Now Dr. Weil gives us, Healthy Aging : A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being, a book about aging that is unlike any other in the breadth and depth of its information and understanding. Hugely informative, practical, and uplifting, it is infused with the engaging candor and c...more

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Jul 26, 2010

adllto rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: ologies

I've read some of Dr Weil's books before and this is an interesting read as I've read it personally. He spends the first half of the book arguing to seeing aging a positive thing. Getting things into perspective. Anyhow the second half is the how. As an MD but also involved in Integrative Medicine he takes us into the grey zone of living healthily in order to age healthily.

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Mar 24, 2009

Teefarrar rated it

· review of another edition

Great book! Reaffirms that age is only a number; you are responsible to take care of the temple, your body, that God has blessed you with. This book helps you in the physical, mental and emotional challenges that we all face in our day-to-day lives. It's a read and re-read.

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Dec 06, 2009

Cathy rated it

· review of another edition

This was an interesting book and I learned a lot about how our bodies work, use nutrients, what the aging mechanism is, etc. He makes a lot of sense. In fact, he explained a test my mother-in-law just had done and I'm hoping she will listen to it. I am also glad the author was the one reading the book, as he seemed to be explaining rather than reading. I will read more of his books.

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Jan 16, 2012

Marilyn Redman rated it

· review of another edition

My older brother recommended this to me 4 or 5 years ago and I couldn't get into it. Now, the time was right. Rich in ideas, insights & practical advice. The first part of the book goes into much biological and medical detail & was a little hard to get through. But it supported the recommendations in the second part and was worth plowing through.

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Aug 20, 2010

Trish Remley rated it

· review of another edition

I'm almost 50. A friend really likes this guy's ideas, so I borrowed the book. I liked it. If we all could live a great life and then just die right at the end - that would be so great. I need to work on the methods one needs to do to help that happen!

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Jan 08, 2009

Elaine rated it

· review of another edition

Enjoyed the combination of science and woo-woo. My favorite concept: "compressed morbidity," meaning a shortened period of time taken up by one's slide toward death. Weil says that, rather than a longer life, is a demonstrably achievable goal.

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Jul 07, 2009

David rated it

· review of another edition

Reasonable outlook on aging and some good advice on how to age gracefully. Main theme was to strive not for longevity or staying young, but to compress morbidity by avoiding age-related diseases that disable seniors and diminish quality of life.

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Jul 29, 2011

Stephen Redwood rated it

· review of another edition

Very readable and sensible book about the aging process. Weill uses science rather than flaky optimism to show how pointless it is to be uptight about aging which can't be avoided. Rather, he focuses on what you can do to age healthily.

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Mar 03, 2010

Suzy rated it

· review of another edition

Dr. Weil's books are very accurate and informing. A smart way to live.

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Mar 20, 2008

Adrienne rated it

· review of another edition

An interesting take on living a healthy life. The book's basic message is that we should strive to feel our best at any age rather than attempting to cling to youth. This book has the same basic philosophies as Weil's other books. He believes all of us could benefit from supplements, but they can not replace healthy diet and lifestyle. He is vehemently against products that promise to reverse or stop the aging process. I find his advice works better for me in theory than in practice, but I do tr...more

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Dec 07, 2008

Mina rated it

· review of another edition

It is learning book.

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Dec 11, 2011

Darlene rated it

· review of another edition

It gave me some scientific background on some supplements and medical conditions as well as diet I didnt have. I used to think he was too conservative being an MD and all but I think Ive tempered that judgment. Learned more about the aging process. Was a good and worthwhile read

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Sep 12, 2009

Bob rated it

· review of another edition

Not that I need this or anything

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Oct 14, 2011

Judy Knight rated it

· review of another edition

This is a book recommended by my phisician. I finally have an understanding of the Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats in our diets. The chemistry is a little heavy but Dr. Weil tries to keep his topics gaged to the average reader; he promotes an anti-inflamatory approach to eating. He definitely has a great approach to aging--not the normal anti-aging search so popular in our society. This book would be helpful for anyone to read.

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Feb 09, 2008

Chris rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Those wanting to improve their health and learn preventative health measures

Good educational info in an easy to understand format for a whole body approach. Stresses preventative measures, e.g. eating cruciferous (cabbage family) veggies that contain a compound that shifts one's estrogen metabolism to reduce risk of breast cancer. Also has links to great websites regarding a variety of health issues.

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Jan 09, 2009

Denise rated it

· review of another edition

A quick and interesting read; most of it you already know the common sense parsts, but there is more to be learned,; it is a good pep talk for making healthy choices as you get older. Not an in-depth treatment of the topic, but inspiring of more research on a personal level.

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Apr 13, 2009

Grandma Judy rated it

· review of another edition

So far it's great...tells all the inner mechanics of aging and how to help prevent some aging.

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About Andrew Weil

Andrew Weil, MD, is the founder and program director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. He is the author of many bestselling books, including Spontaneous Healing, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, and others.

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