A Short Guide to a Long Life

By David B. Agus

One of the world's leading doctors and the author of the No 1 New York Times bestselling book, The End of Illness, Dr David B. Agus presents the simple rules everyone should follow in order to live a long, healthy and productive life.

The Short Guide to a Long Life is divided into four sections (What to Do, What to Avoid, What to Master, and Doctor's Orders) that provide the definitive answers to many common and not-so-common questions: Who should take a baby aspirin daily? Are flu shots safe? Are vitamins bad for you? What is truly 'fresh' produce? Why is it important to protect your senses?

Dr Agus's eye-opening responses will help you develop new, effective patterns of personal health care so you can maintain your health using the latest and most reliable science.
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Jan 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781471131974

David B. Agus

David B. Agus, MD, is the author of the international sensations The End of Illness, A Short Guide to a Long Life, and The Lucky Years. A professor of medicine and engineering at the University of Southern California, he is the founding Director and CEO of the Ellison Institute of Technology and a contributor to CBS News. He lives in Santa Monica, California.

Reviews for A Short Guide to a Long Life

[glennbell_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

David provides a list of rules for good health. As implied by the term rules the author is paternalistic in his edicts. He claims that his rules are based on the results of randomized clinical studies in which he claims to have a metanalysis. He then does not not discuss such studies or how he may have examined the results of the body of science. He does not discuss alternative views nor acknowledge the existence of differing opinions. Much of his rules are good advice but some are not. Perhaps his motivation is good but it is more likely that the attitude of the book portrays one with an egotistical view. I do not suggest this book to anyone above a high school education.

[plappen_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This short book attempts to answer some of the most common health questions.What should I eat? Real food (that does not come with a label). Understand basic bio-vocabulary; know the difference between vitamin and supplement, or define inflammation. Consider getting a dog; it will force you to get some exercise, along with leaving your desk and forgetting about multi-tasking. There seem to be a million different diets available. Find the diet that works for you, and stick with it. Grow a garden (or, at least, a window box). Practice good hygiene. Maintain a healthy weight. Caffeine is OK in sensible amounts. Consider getting a DNA test.Get in the habit of taking a baby aspirin daily. Be smart about being sick. Maintain good posture and strengthen your core. Adopt a positive attitude. Smile. Try an activity that is out of your comfort zone. Eat at least three servings of cold-water fish per week. Never skip breakfast. It's a good idea to be a little obsessive-compulsive about washing your hands. There is no such thing as doing it too often. There is no shame in asking for help.The book also includes things that should be avoided. They include: fad diets, detoxes, dangerous sports and risky behavior, sunburns, airport x-ray scanners, insomnia, juicing, smoking and vitamins and supplements (!)No one is expected to immediately do (or not do) everything in this book. Pick just one thing, incorporate it into your daily life so that it becomes a habit, then pick another. Anyone who cannot find just one health aid here needs more help than this book can provide. For everyone else, this book is short, very easy to understand, and very much worth reading.

[mariavictoria-8 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book looked so informative and it really was just average!

[knightlight777 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As advertised a short but info packed book on a wide range of health topics that everyone can use to enhance their well being. Dr. Agus shares his knowledge and insight to avoid the bad influences on your health; and there are many. He likewise offers tips and approaches to do much good and the shoulds and shouldn'ts when it comes to everything healthy. A worthwhile read that is concise and to the point.

[realbigcat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A short beginners guide to healthy living and longevity and anti aging. This is done with hundreds of tips and ideas one on each page. Many are just common sense and this is a beginner level. Having read hundreds of health books I disagree on the Doctors take on not using vitamins.