Superlife

by Darin Olien

In Superlife, Darin Olien provides us with an entirely new way of thinking about health and wellbeing by identifying what he calls the life forces: Quality Nutrition, Hydration, Detoxification, Oxygenation and Alkalization. Olien demonstrates in great detail how to maintain these processes, thereby allowing our bodies to do the rest. He tells us how we can maintain healthy weight, prevent even the most serious of diseases, and feel great. He explains that all of this is possible without any of the restrictive or gimmicky diet plans that never work in the long term.

Olien has traveled the world, exploring the health properties of foods that have sustained indigenous cultures for centuries. Putting his research into practice, he has created a unique and proven formula for maximizing our bodies’ potential. He also includes a “How-to-eat” user’s guide with a shopping list, advice on “what to throw away,” a guide to creating a healthy, balanced diet plan, and advice on how to use supplements effectively.

Written in Olien’s engaging conversational style, Superlife is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive look at dieting and nutrition, a timeless and essential guide to maintaining the human body and maximizing its potential.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Self Help, Food, Nutrition, Personal Development, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 24, 2014

About the author

Founder and visionary of SuperLife, is the first ever health and wellness expert to be coined a “Superfood Hunter.” He is known uniquely within the health and wellness community as an exotic superfood expert, supplement formulator, and environmental activist who travels the planet to discover new and underutilized medicinal plants.

Inspired by his travels around the world, he has created an individualized approach to achieving optimal health through small changes and daily habits based on the wisdom of global cultures. It’s his no-judgement, progress-focused, supportive approach that gets results.

Darin’s interest in food and nutrition began when a college football injury drove him to uncover better ways to heal his body. He realized there had to be a better option out there after he struggled to recover using only traditional Western medicine treatments that failed to address the healing potential of his diet and lifestyle choices. It’s then that he began to pursue a healthier lifestyle and deeper understanding of how hydration, nutrition, and exercise can truly impact the human body. Darin changed his major, studying Exercise Physiology and Nutrition. He now holds a Bachelor degree in this field as well as a Masters in Psychology. Today Darin is widely recognized as an authority and valuable resource on plant–based nutrition, supplement formulation and elite performance programs, which he has created for some of the top athletes in the world.

After 20+ years of travel and unwavering dedication to research, Darin published his book,“SuperLife: The 5 Simple Fixes That Will Make You Healthy, Fit & Eternally Awesome” in 2015 at the same time that the online SuperLife community was founded. One year later, the leading SuperLife 10-Day Nutrition program was launched, which has helped thousands successfully reclaim their health and experience the healing power of plant-based nutrition.

Reviews

[Benny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has some good ideas, but ultimately, the author tries to spin a lot of his personal, unfounded beliefs as fact. As a member of the medical community, I noticed that there were many things that he states which just did not make any sense. Science is not perfect, and it's easy to bash on it, but that doesn't mean we should listen someone's ideas just because they sound nice.

[Raj Kazhiyurmannar · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you care about your health and have health skepticism for what goes on as conventional treatment from the Medical-Industrial-Complex, this is a book worth a read. I could relate to lot of the info the author lists here based on personal experience. The importance of Water, Nutrition, Breathing, Detoxification, mental awareness. The author writing style is very racy and engaging. There are valuable tips, atleast a few of which anyone can follow to improve their physical and overall health, san any quackery or outlandish claims.

[Jose Antonio · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book at my local bookstore, hoping to learn about 'superfoods" around the world. I wanted to see if there were any amazing fruits or vegetables that I could try. Just for the fun of experimenting new flavors. I am a graduate student in biology, and come from a megadiverse country, where we have ancient knowledge on certain foods that are beneficial for human consumption.

This book is the classic example of how people, who unfortunately have a very influential position, use science incorrectly to prove their point no matter what. I started reading this book and got upset pretty fast, within the first pages. I continued reading, just to give it the benefit of the doubt. BUT!! It just keeps giving erroneous information, discrediting science by using controversial experiments, that generate debates within the scientific community.

The first major mistake I found was suggesting people to consume distilled water... For those of you who are not familiar with what distilled water is, very briefly is water with a high purity. This means that the normal minerals, that water contains, get removed by several different processes. If we consume this type of water it can remove all of our essential salts and minerals, due to the concentration gradient. That is why Darin says that he mixes it with Himalayan salt, and some other stuff. Please avoid consuming distilled water because it can be perjudicial for you health.

Then he goes on and talks about alkalinization, with different foods (there is a list towards the back of the book). Please just google the pH of the fruis he includes there. Just as a major lie, he mentions tangerine (which is from the citric family). By doing a quick search we can find that Tangerine is the most acidic fruit from that family (has a pH lower than 7, which is neutral). This was the point when I decided to just throw away this book.

Also, the body has a very precise and fine pH regulation, that keeps us functioning properly. It goes from 7.35 - 7.45 (slightly alkaline). This means that no matter what we eat or drink, we cannot modify our internal pH, and if we do so, we would need medical attention.

I do not know what else is hiding inside this book, but I do not recommend it at all!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked a lot of his ideas, especially the chapter "How to Eat". Tough love in that chapter and it really resonated with me.

I enjoyed the chapter about fair trade and how he is passionate about getting out into the fields and meeting all the people he sources the ingredients from and making sure deals work for all parties.

But the "Water and Me" chapter.. "Water absorbs emotion" and has feelings and all that? Nope. It was over the top. And basically, "Don't drink distilled water, or spring water, and definitely don't drink tap water. Wait, distilled water is good, but only if you add special unrefined Himalayan crystal salt to it. But really you should just make your own water.."

Yeah, right. Some things are just not realistic for every day people to do. No one is going to make their own water or figure out the source of ALL their foods. One step at a time though towards eating better and living healthier.

[Sarah Stump · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this book on my runs, because Olien is getting a lot of attention right now and I’m a big fan of anyone that promotes a plant-based diet. However, Olien definitely speaks from a place of privilege and makes some well-intentioned, but unrealistic claims. For example he mentions that “disease doesn’t exist.” While I agree that many diseases can be avoided, and even reversed, with plant-based eating, Olien even makes the claim for linking nutrition to cancer and other terminal diseases, which stems from toxins outside of just nutrition alone.

Eat plant based. Reform health care. Learn about what you’re putting into your body. Stop prescribing medications and start encouraging healthy nutrition. BUT, don’t go to Olien for medical advice.

[Keeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing

This book has changed my life. Even whilst reading it, I began to make changes, I threw out all my syrups (low calorie), bought more salad stuff, invested in organic powders to put in the vegan protein shakes I'd already had. I know more about my body now then I ever have before, I also feel better equipped to face my endometriosis and IVF head on. This is a lifestyle change and one I don't want to change, I thought I was healthy on the popular diet most people follow, I'm glad to step away from syns and eat healthy fats like walnuts and avocado!

Without the series on Netflix I wouldn't have found this book, for that I'm grateful.

[Ryan Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

1 star is for did not like it, so I have to give this 1 star. This book is dangerously close to "This book is butt" territory. It has some redeeming qualities, though the entire book can essentially be summed up as: drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, exercise. Things we all know already.

The rest of it at least seems questionable at best. The thing is: since I am also not a nutritionist or health expert, I can't tell if what he claims has any basis in science or not. He cites a lot of studies, but I get the vibe The Simpsons perfected with Lionel Hutz: "I watched Matlock in a bar last night. The sound wasn't on but I think I got the gist of it." By never providing his bona fides, the entire book is thrown into doubt. In this, Olien has failed the first rule of non-fiction writing: "Ok, great, but why should I listen to you?"

If this wasn't bad enough, he has some truly bizarre takes: ADHD is not real and can be avoided with a good diet and more water; sunscreen is bad; all diseases are the result of bad nutrition. Whereas I'm sure that bad nutrition plays a part in some diseases, he seems to indicate that it is bad food and bad food only, and that modern medicine is therefore useless.

As yet another wrinkle, he says things like (and I am paraphrasing here): "We don't need a pill to get all of the Vitamin C we need." This seems true. "We can get it from moringa leaves, camu camu, and goji berries." This also seems true but it so wildly out of touch that I don't know what to do with it. Let me just pop down to the store real quick for some camu camu. What?

Down to Earth with Zac Efron is a fun look at supplemental foods that might help, along with beautiful locales. This book is not, and I worry that it may actually be harmful.

[Karen_RunwrightReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. I like a book that doesn't just give me information but also stirs me into action and Superlofe did that for me.
Olien speaks about the 5 forces that will make you healthy.
In his own words: "Eat. Drink. Detox. Breathe. Neutralize. Good health is that simple."
But then he adds a 6th force - attitude. And part of that attitude is making the necessary changes after you receive the information,
Reading this book made me want to make the changes and I've already started incorporating them in my life.
More reviews at http://runwright.net

[Gwen Golaszewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say "yes" to Olien's 5 life forces. Just try them on in your life, see if they fit (they will). I struggle living in a culture that promotes businesses and corporations that don't care about us, and profit from our blind obedience. The American people's lack of knowledge about how to truly be happy and healthy in the current time period is frightening. The years go forward but my age is reversing (and has to in order to keep up with 6th graders). Hydrate, breathe, move, eat from the earth, and read this book. The elixirs of life, the fountains of youth, the well of immortality, the holy grail of vitality is located within. AT LEAST listen to Olien on some podcasts- I highly recommend his interview on the Rich Roll podcast. Eat and drink beautifully, watch the youth, brightness, life, and play return to your life. We are all living in ignorance in many ways, but Olien is here to help us awaken to our most alive selves, which will only benefit each other and the planet too.

[Kenya Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with tons of information! Super life changing. I am glad I checked it out.

[Sarah LaMountain · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be between 3.5 and 4 stars for me. There is a lot of excellent health information in this book. It is a great starting point for those that want to start to take their health into their own hands and reverse some of the damage that has been done over years of poor health habits.

The author has a clear passion for health and for sure practices what he preaches for a healthy lifestyle. I personally like that this book is not just food oriented, as I already knew much of the food portion of the text, I liked the other 4 life changes that can be assessed and adjusted. I also enjoyed that the food portion did focus on minerals and nutrients instead of macros and calorie counting.

The downside, while I understand he worked for Beach Body and developed the shake used I personally am not a huge fan of the pyramid scheme the company runs so the plugs weren't my taste. There are also some contradictory pieces about eating whole foods and not supplementing with pills or other means but then plugging a shake that is essentially a different form of supplementation. I understand the difference between a pill and a powdered supplement but the back and forth in the book can be confusing and sets kinda unrealistic expectations. There are also pieces that he does not clarify how to do better on just that you should. For example, he talks about water purification and dismisses tap water as negative (which most of is are aware of) and explores his expensive filtration system but he does not offer options for those that are not as financially stable.

The book definetely drips with privelge and there is a slight disconnect between what the author has had available and what is likely available to the average American (or other culture though I can only speak for my own). The book would have been a lot higher on my list if there were cost efficient and reasonable options to maybe correct certain health choices as much as possible. What water filters work best? What supplements can you take if that 12$ Maca powder is a little too much to splurge on regularly? What packaged foods might be better if that is all someone can afford? What fruits and vegetables are a little heartier and may be the conventional choice when organic is too expensive?

Facts like these would have supplemented the overall health information. This book represents two extremes. Extreme unhealthiness and extreme healthiness. Preaching his extreme is great. But adding information for those that can't have it all but want to make changes would have been more helpful for the masses.

[Anna Mosca · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m not a scientist, I’m an eternal student” the author says about himself and his humility did intrigue me. I’m myself constantly on a search, I teach (when I teach) so I can digest what I just learned and I think it’s important that an author will state that because it makes him flexible, ever growing.
Honestly, although I have been on healthy eating since 1987 I never heard of Darin Olien until I saw Down To Earth, that wonderful documentary on Netflix on which Zac Efron and Darin Olien travel around the world on a quest to learn how to be more respectful of planet earth and of our bodies. When the episodes were over I started this book. I got both the e-book as well as the audiobook so I could listen to it while working on my organic vegetable garden, and pass that enthusiasm that comes with shared truths passing on my produce. I loved it! I think is a great book, aiming to open the eyes of people to a deeper more bubbling life and to refresh the principles by which one may have started a healthy diet in order to heal as well as to be in synch with all the beauty around us.
Thank you Darin for this production and for all of your search and quest. I totally get it. It’s a dynamic inner movement that keeps us inquire knowing the truth is infinite yet willing to be grasped and seen.
I’m enthusiastic about this book!

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book from GoodReads.

The author is well educated on how to maintain and maximize the human body. I enjoyed the book, but not everyone can financially follow through with how we would like to eat. However, taking small steps and making changes little by little is a great feeling.

[Ana Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed full of useful information, but still light and interesting to read. I feel I need to read it again with pen and paper by my side, just to take notes!
Very good!
The most important tip: drink lots of water!

[Matt Knepper · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book Darin Olien, superfood hunter extraordinaire, presents his five life forces: nutrition, hydration, oxygenation, alkalization, detoxification. There's really nothing new in here, but it's pulled together nicely. The author quotes several studies and journal articles, but also gives us his take. There's plenty of science sprinkled through these pages, but there are a lot of personal beliefs. It makes for a more interesting read - especially the way he shares his very passionate feelings on water.

This really isn't a how-to book or manual. If it is for you, then I envy the life you can afford to live. There are, however, some interesting takeaways. I think just about anyone can read this book and find something new to try. Some of the metaphors are a bit extreme, but his points are well taken. Olien's passion definitely shines through.

[Val · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot of good information in this book but there is also a lot of stuff based on the author's experiences and beliefs only that is passed off as facts.(the author is a self proclaimed "wellness expert") The book comes off a little preachy and I couldn't help getting a privileged hippy vibe from the author. (I only read this one because of the author's connection to Beach Body)

[Markus Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read with a lot of great info.

I'll definitely pay more attention to my life and the world around me. Already feeling better just applying a few of the things recommended here.

[Mark Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel the same way about this book as I did about The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up; on one level I could recognize that parts of the book were pretty bogus, and maybe even harmful. On the other hand... it did make me want to clean (or in this case, live a little healthier).

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of good information. He started most of what he said with “a study by…” so you knew there was some scientific backing to his claims. Interestingly, when talking about GMOs he said they are just too new for us to know the long term effects.

I think I might have enjoyed this more as a physical book so I could highlight passages to refer back to later.

My gripe, I guess, was that he went on and on mentioning multiple studies about things of which I was already convinced. Obviously water is important and it’s good to stay properly hydrated but even as someone who loves nonfiction science books the science references in that section and the alkalinity section just went on too long…much like this sentence.

I agreed and believed 100% of this book while I was listening but, I just started the book Glucose Revolution: The Life-Changing Power of Balancing Your Blood Sugar which says a smoothie for breakfast is a bad idea. So, I guess you’ve got to do what works best for you.

[Conor Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to health and nutrition, this is pretty much the ultimate guide book. Olien's style and attitude can sometimes be a bit much for me, and sometimes I find myself rolling my eyes with an "ah come on now..." when reading his advice, but ultimately, to sum it up, a wholefood plant based diet (if we eat enough) should really be the default rather than the exception in western society.

Nutrition, hydration, oxygenation, alkalinisation, and detoxification are the 5 life forces described in the book, and they mostly all come back to the nutrition part of a varied plant based diet. It was interesting learning about oxygenation, alkalinisation and detoxification. Which isn't really discussed in mainstream health forums.

[Emily Koester · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Superlife" by Darin Olien was a super interesting read. My brother had asked for it for Christmas, and I'm always looking for book recommendations, so why not read before gifting? Darin breaks it down into five forces: nutrition, hydration, detoxification, oxygenation and alkalization.

The chapter on nutrition was a little frustrating, and not because I disagree (I totally agree) with what Darin says about the importance of nutrition, but because as I read the chapter I just wanted to say, "But it's just not that easy." Obviously veggies are going to be better for you when they are absolutely fresh and raw, but as someone who has lived in northern Wisconsin most of my life, this isn't always an option. Sometimes we have to take our veggies frozen, or even canned. Maybe it's just an excuse, and I will try to get more raw veggies (when available).

I was fascinated by the chapter on hydration. I think most people know they should be drinking more water than they actually do, but it's mind-boggling to learn how something as simple as being properly hydrated can "cure" some much more major health issues (as I sit here thinking about how I should go get a glass of water). And I'm sure even less people know that the type of water you consume makes a difference, too.

The sections on detoxification, oxygenation and alkalization were checked full of information I was unaware of, and although some of it I skimmed over (all those big nutritional words lost me a little), I still enjoyed learning the overall lesson from each of the five forces.

I love that the book ends with lists of suggested food to eat and foods to avoid, as well as sample meals that just sound amazingly delicious. I'm a sucker for lists, and if you read anything from this book, at least read the recipes.
"The drugs just allow us to live without going to all the trouble of changing our habits and fixing what's wrong … Rather than sending us to the pharmacy with prescriptions, our physicians should be sending us to the farmers market with shopping lists."
"We need to remember that our food will soon be a part of us. It will be taken up by our flesh and blood and bone. Its beauty, its vibrancy, its life force will become ours."

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think that he provides sound advice regarding following a plant-based lifestyle in order to achieve health. I feel that he use the book as a vehicle to sell his shakeology powder to make smoothies. I also don’t agree with his suggestion to use agave and other sweeteners.

[Ville Verkkapuro · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's two ways to approach this thing:

1. As a western manifestation of a wholesome eastern, ancient wise philosophy of living well and focusing on what really matters, understanding that you yourself are made of this world and to strive in it you have to really connect to the essence of life in every bodily aspect.

2. As a hypercapitalist self-absorbed health-crazed personal brand project that endorses the products that you can use to be the You™ 2.0 you possibly can.

It's very easy to see it either way. I'm drawn to the first one, as I, too, am privileged and healthy and interested in self-care not as a way to be better than others but to be better FOR others. But yes, there's a lot of annoying elements that are very mundane, self-absorbed, superefficient, homeophatic...
But I choose not to hate this. Not if you read it correctly, with some distance and calmness. It actually promotes the healthy lifestyle in a very forgiving, soft way. It's not made of gym and protein and rules and stones that reflect energy, but of self-care and awareness that is based in the love of the self, not the hate of the self.
This works as a great stepping stone. Familiar stuff (that I also use): turmeric, goji berries, just to name a few. I liked the rationality about additives and processed foods, not sure if very scientific but still good points: our body maybe goes through stress when it's being given "foreign" ingredients. Could be, could be... or at least sounds good to me!
Accompany this with the works of Michael Greger and you'll get a great basis of an actually healthy life and a healthy diet. And maybe don't get too caught up with the sheer "awesomeness" of this one. And don't stress too much about the breathing and the water-filtering, maybe.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Darrin, met him vicariously through the Netflix series he did with Zach Effron, so after thoroughly enjoying him in that series I decided to try his book. It’s more technical than I like, almost enough to lose a whole star for my tastes, but the ideas are sound and the author repeatedly emphasizes that there are various ways to follow his advice. He says drink water, period. He then elaborates to say why, and what kind, and even allows for the extremist point of view, not correctly says it is probably overkill. This book helped me pick up a couple new habits, and more importantly to stop stressing so much about a couple bad habits as well.

[Farhana Faruq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this book!! It was starting of so well, I was even happy I might have a health book I can recommend to others, then we get half way (around the Alkaline chapter) and it sounds like one long commercial for his supplements on the market. He's a little contradictory - starts of saying you can never have the true food in supplement form (because the processing ruins it) and then goes on about .. Shakeology, that expensive drink you don't need - he's responsible for that.

I still enjoyed the book. It's repetitive at times which might annoy some readers, it's more on the vegan side (and he mentions why you need to make that change), some of the changes you need to implement are not affordable for most, and it's got some great info and some wonky info (like water absorbs emotions - maybe it does?).

I'll take from it that I need to eat more veggies (which I already knew) - so there you go, go eat more veggies!

This is a 7.5 hour audio book.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I found it very interesting, well explained & informative. I’ll be honest to say I got this book after watching the Netflix series & I was very intrigued with all of the unknown benefits of healthy living. He breaks it up into the basics for chapters. Explains why we need good clean amounts of water daily, for example & how it can drastically change how one feels. Along with other big topics that at least for myself I’ve been told my whole life but never had it thoroughly explained. It’s a great “fun fact”
Type of book that he has added studies to & referenced his sources. Also found some great new foods to try!

[Madkropotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and eye opening. Darin Olien makes some valid points and entertains the reader at the same time.

I enjoyed the way Olien broke down the material. He delivered it in a way that was easily digestible and gives the reader an opportunity to do some research on the matters presented before moving on to the next idea.

I had not thought about food the way Olien asks you to think about it. I will be more aware of what I put into my body.

[Scott E · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sprinkles of reasonable information dusted over a hysterical lunatic writhing around in a pit of dog shit.

Starts off well but then goes down the avenue of giving water almost sentient properties.

Honesty don’t know why I ploughed through this.

[Dustin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm torn on this one, because it definitely inspired me to eat better, but it's also not well written and full of dubious claims.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked this book a lot more than I expected.