A short guide to a long life

David Agus, 1965-

Large print - 2014

A prominent cancer doctor offers a practical illustrated guide to everyday health that answers questions on such topics as who should take baby aspirin daily, the safety of flu shots, the usefulness of vitamins and supplements, and the importance of protecting the senses.

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Subjects
Published
Waterville, Maine : Thorndike Press, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning 2014.
Language
English
Main Author
David Agus, 1965- (author)
Other Authors
Kristin Loberg (author)
Edition
Large print edition
Physical Description
245 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
ISBN
9781410468383
  • Introduction: The Power of Prevention
  • Part I. What to Do
  • Part II. What to Avoid
  • Part III. Doctor's Orders
  • Acknowledgments
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Taking inspiration from Michael Pollan's Food Rules, cancer specialist Agus distills advice from his previous book (The End of Illness) into a simple set of rules for living wisely through healthy habits. His series of dos and don'ts advocate cultivating a measure of physical self-awareness in order to quickly note any changes in the body, as a means of preventing and detecting disease; consuming unprocessed, whole foods while avoiding artificial vitamins and supplements; and taking medications like statins and low-dose aspirin prophylactically. Agus also covers commonly accepted practices like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, getting a flu shot, and complying with your doctor's advice, while not smoking, getting sunburned, or wearing uncomfortable shoes. The book closes with a checklist of checkups needed in each decade of life-another reminder of the self-knowledge needed for disease prevention. Little line drawings and a conversational, fatherly tone make this guide light and easy to follow, if rather facile, and readers who have already taken Agus as a health guru will love it. Those who still need convincing might do better to read his earlier book, which includes references to the actual research behind his recommendations. 66 b&w line drawings. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review

In a follow-up to The End of Illness (2012), which explored how technological advances will transform medicine, Agus (Medicine and Engineering/Univ. of Southern California) restates time-tested but too often overlooked principles for healthy living. The author outlines simple measures that average citizens can take to live healthier lives and extend their life spans by taking advantage of modern technology to develop personalized records. These would include a list of medical tests and recommended treatments. Agus also suggests keeping track of indicators that can be observed at home on a regular basis--e.g., changes in energy, weight, appetite and blood pressure, blood sugar and general appearance. He advises that all of this information be made available online, and it is also helpful to investigate family history and consider DNA testing where indicated. Along with maintaining a healthy weight, Agus emphasizes the importance of eating a balanced diet, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and a minimum of red meat. Avoid packaged vitamins and food supplements, and if possible, grow your own vegetables or buy frozen vegetables, which will generally be fresher than those on supermarket shelves. The author also warns against processed foods that make health claims but contain additives or excessive amounts of sugar or fat. Regular mealtimes and plenty of sleep, frequent hand-washing and oral hygiene are a must; smoking and excessive time in the sun should also be avoided. Agus recommends that adults should consider taking statins and baby aspirin as preventative measures. He concludes with a decade-by-decade checklist of annual medical examinations that should be routine--e.g. blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, from one's 20s on; colonoscopies, prostate exams and mammograms later--and a variety of top-10 lists (for example, "Top 10 Reasons to Take a Walk"). Useful but disappointingly commonplace tips.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.