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So You Want To Live Younger Longer : The ultimate guide to longevity from Australia s most trusted doctor
- GenresNonfiction
Paperback
Published July 27, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 21, 2022
Another comprehensive guide, though it mostly comes back to what we already know - eat, sleep and exercise well.
December 23, 2024
I threw this one into my list, as I have been reading it on and off over most of this year. It's one of those non-fiction books I dipped into every now and then, not reading it from beginning to end, but tackling chapters at random as it took my fancy.
Dr Norman Swan became a familiar figure on our TV screens during the early months of COVID, especially for viewers of ABC TV in Australia. With his colorful but but not too broad Scottish accent, he was one of the more sober, restrained and trusted voices bringing information to a confused and frightened public.
So, as an official old fart who is interested in not just living longer but also enjoying a better quality of life, I was happy to pick up a copy of this guide to see if I could learn a thing or two.
It's written in a very accessible style, with plenty of personal anecdotes, presenting information in a manner that seems scientifically rigorous but not academically dry.
It's a book to put on my shelf and possibly go back to every now and then to read about diet, exercise, gut health, useful drugs and supplements (and those that just produce expensive pee), mindfulness and simply getting more out of life.
Well done, Dr Norman.
Dr Norman Swan became a familiar figure on our TV screens during the early months of COVID, especially for viewers of ABC TV in Australia. With his colorful but but not too broad Scottish accent, he was one of the more sober, restrained and trusted voices bringing information to a confused and frightened public.
So, as an official old fart who is interested in not just living longer but also enjoying a better quality of life, I was happy to pick up a copy of this guide to see if I could learn a thing or two.
It's written in a very accessible style, with plenty of personal anecdotes, presenting information in a manner that seems scientifically rigorous but not academically dry.
It's a book to put on my shelf and possibly go back to every now and then to read about diet, exercise, gut health, useful drugs and supplements (and those that just produce expensive pee), mindfulness and simply getting more out of life.
Well done, Dr Norman.
October 11, 2022
A lot of the information contained in this book should not be unfamiliar to the reader. I appreciated the distinction made that the aim is not only to live longer, but also maintain most of your capacity and capabilities from your younger years.
Ny take-aways:
Basically, eating a good plant-heavy diet (Mediterranean style), with some calorie restriction; getting adequate exercise; not smoking; getting enough sleep; managing stress; participating in life.
There is no magic pill. There is lots of interesting research, but the mechanisms are not fully understood yet. Gimmicks and popular diets (*cough* intermittent fasting *cough*) are at best unproven and at worst damaging.
Some things are outside our control. Some things are under the government’s control, and shame on them for valuing the economy over us.
Overall, an interesting read. Plenty of detail about the “how” and not just the “what”. Presented in a manner that is not overwhelming for most of us to understand. I do recommend this book.
Actually putting the information to use is going to take more effort though…
Ny take-aways:
Basically, eating a good plant-heavy diet (Mediterranean style), with some calorie restriction; getting adequate exercise; not smoking; getting enough sleep; managing stress; participating in life.
There is no magic pill. There is lots of interesting research, but the mechanisms are not fully understood yet. Gimmicks and popular diets (*cough* intermittent fasting *cough*) are at best unproven and at worst damaging.
Some things are outside our control. Some things are under the government’s control, and shame on them for valuing the economy over us.
Overall, an interesting read. Plenty of detail about the “how” and not just the “what”. Presented in a manner that is not overwhelming for most of us to understand. I do recommend this book.
Actually putting the information to use is going to take more effort though…
January 21, 2025
Read the text sample on Libby, only the first 96 pages were available. Discussion was mainly about wealth distribution effects on longevity which is major. Also, care and education during the first five years of life have a large effect. It is implied in the first 96 pages that specific life improvement methods will be covered in the rest of the book. Basically, eating a good plant-heavy diet (Mediterranean style), with some calorie restriction; getting adequate exercise; not smoking; getting enough sleep; managing stress; and participating in life. I will likely read the rest of the book if it becomes available on Libby.
October 6, 2022
A well written engaging read.
January 10, 2023
Norman. Norman. Norman. Lovely, concise, informative, familiar, thoroughly worthwhile reading and less repetitive than my review. Thank you. David Risstrom
February 21, 2023
A guide (not sure about "ultimate") on how to increase your lifespan.
Lots of common sense (Don't smoke, eat healthily, don't do risky activities) and a bit of science thrown in.
Lots of common sense (Don't smoke, eat healthily, don't do risky activities) and a bit of science thrown in.
March 18, 2023
An interesting no nonsense look at our health
March 6, 2023
So You Want To Live Younger Longer? is just as easy a read as Dr Norman Swan’s previous book, So You Think You Know What’s Good For You?. However, this book does feel much more repetitive than the previous, and if you’ve read the first book, you will also find a lot of the information in So You Want To Live Younger Longer? is nothing new.
Yet again, Dr Norman Swan is engaging and informative, and as much as this is a book about improving your health, it’s also an enjoyable read. Some of the information he provides is pretty much common sense and what we’ve been told for years, but I appreciated the new information, and that he provides detail on the whys and hows.
Swan supplies simple answers where he can, and otherwise explains the complicated as best he can, providing helpful suggestions for improving your life. It’s a common sense approach that looks at the big picture and how different aspects of life interact with and affect each other. He details myths and fads, following the evidence to impart the reader with knowledge of pros and cons to consider.
Swan pulls together evidence about varying diet and exercise regimens, pharmaceuticals, genetics, hormones, plastic surgery and mental health. One section even includes a breakdown of the main things to focus on in each decade of your life in order to improve your health and live younger longer.
Sometimes insightful, sometimes simply common sense, So You Want To Live Younger Longer? is well worth the read.
Yet again, Dr Norman Swan is engaging and informative, and as much as this is a book about improving your health, it’s also an enjoyable read. Some of the information he provides is pretty much common sense and what we’ve been told for years, but I appreciated the new information, and that he provides detail on the whys and hows.
Swan supplies simple answers where he can, and otherwise explains the complicated as best he can, providing helpful suggestions for improving your life. It’s a common sense approach that looks at the big picture and how different aspects of life interact with and affect each other. He details myths and fads, following the evidence to impart the reader with knowledge of pros and cons to consider.
Swan pulls together evidence about varying diet and exercise regimens, pharmaceuticals, genetics, hormones, plastic surgery and mental health. One section even includes a breakdown of the main things to focus on in each decade of your life in order to improve your health and live younger longer.
Sometimes insightful, sometimes simply common sense, So You Want To Live Younger Longer? is well worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews