Product Description

For centuries, adventurers and scientists have believed that not only could we delay death but that "practical immortality" was within our reach. Today, many well-respected researchers would be inclined to agree. In a book that is not about anti-aging, but about functional aging--extending your healthy, active life--Dr. Sanjay Gupta blends together compelling stories of the most up-to-date scientific breakthroughs from around the world, with cutting-edge research and advice on achieving practical immortality in this lifetime. Gupta's advice is often counterintuitive: longevity is not about eating well, but about eating less; nutritional supplements are a waste of your money; eating chocolate and drinking coffee can make you healthier. CHASING LIFE tells the stories behind the breakthroughs while also revealing the practical steps readers can take to help extend youth and life far longer than ever thought possible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #663565 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-09
• Formats: Abridged, Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio CD

From Publishers Weekly
Readers seeking the key to everlasting life will find some clues in neurosurgeon Gupta's survey of the latest research on longevity. Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, touches on recent breakthroughs as he offers some basic guidelines for adding years to what he and other aging experts call "health span." The goal, Gupta says, is not merely to live longer. To help readers live longer and better, he boils down conflicting health advice and makes some surprising prescriptions. For example, it is not what you eat, but how much you eat that affects longevity; vitamin supplements may be a waste of time and money; and a little upper-body strengthening is far more effective than an hour on a StairMaster. To support this advice, Gupta relates the experiences of a 103-year-old woman from Okinawa; a former executive who began training at age 86 and is a record-breaking sprinter at age 92; and others who are aging well by staying active, eating wisely, being positive and maintaining strong social networks. While stem cell injections, nanotechnology, cryonics and other possible therapies are on the horizon, Gupta tells readers that extending life today is as easy as eating less, moving more and exercising the brain. While Gupta's mix of futuristic science and do-it-yourself advice is far from seamless, many readers will find the lessons in his tales of the long lived worthwhile. (Apr.)
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From AudioFile
With stories and research from all over the world, the TIME and CNN medical correspondent describes the eating, lifestyle, and emotional patterns of people who have long, healthy lives. The value of exercising, restricting calories, and reducing sugar and fat intake are well known, but its fascinating to hear these habits supported in such diverse ways. With his experience on camera, Gupta knows how to present complex information in sound bites anyone can comprehend. Where this experience fails him is in his vocal delivery. In spite of the familiar ring of his voice, his intonation in this longer vocal performance sounds repetitive and predictable. The program concludes with a personal interview in which he answers questions about his career and his goals for this book. T.W. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

About the Author
SANJAY GUPTA, MD, lives in
Atlanta, Georgia.