Remember when we believed that aging was inevitable? That our genetic legacy determined our life’s trajectory? Well, that thinking has been turned on its ear.

Who knew that lifestyle choices—and not our genes—would dictate how we age? Or that fasting and exposure to cold could actually be good for our health and well-being?

We searched out six dynamic and up-to-the-minute books on aging, health, and longevity that will have you questioning your assumptions. Here’s to a healthy and vibrant new year.

Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don’t Have To

by David A. Sinclair PhD and Matthew D. LaPlante

What if everything we’ve been taught about aging is wrong? What if aging is not inevitable and we could choose our lifespan? This book from an acclaimed Harvard Medical School scientist and one of Time’s most influential people sets out to answer this question. Dr. David Sinclair shares a brash new theory for why we age. He writes, “Aging is a disease, and that disease is treatable.”

Recent experiments in genetic reprogramming suggest that soon we may not just be able to feel younger, but actually become younger. Through an engaging narrative, Dr. Sinclair brings us into the process of scientific discovery on aging. He reveals the emerging technologies and simple lifestyle changes–intermittent fasting, cold exposure, exercising with the right intensity, and eating less meat–that can help us live younger and healthier for longer. Buy on Amazon.com.

The Longevity Paradox: How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age

by Dr. Steven R Gundry, MD

How do we solve the ‘paradox’ of wanting to live to a ripe old age yet enjoy the benefits of youth? Dr. Gundry believes he has the answer. Working with thousands of patients, he has discovered that the “diseases of aging” are not simply a function of age. They are a function of our lifestyle choices.

According to Gundry, our gut bugs—the bacteria that make up the microbiome—largely determine our health over time. From diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s to common ailments like arthritis to our weight and the appearance of our skin, these bugs control our quality of life.

Dr. Gundry outlines a nutrition and lifestyle plan to support gut health and live well for decades to come. Buy on Amazon.com.

299 on-the-go games & puzzles to keep your brain young

by Nancy Linde

This collection of games and puzzles is designed to play when you’re on the go. It’s by the bestselling author of 399 Games, Puzzles & Trivia Challenges Specially Designed to Keep Your Brain Young. With shorter puzzles and a portable size, you can pop it into your bag for a little ‘cognitive exercise’ on the run. When you are waiting at the dentist’s office. When traveling. Whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

Puzzles are organized by difficulty from “Easy Does It!” to “Finish Strong!” And, they target six key cognitive functions: long-term memory, working memory, executive functioning, attention to detail, multitasking, and processing speed. Buy on Amazon.com.

Younger: A Breakthrough Program to Reset Your Genes and Reverse Aging

by Sara Gottfried, M.D.

The New York Times bestselling author of The Hormone Cure and The Hormone Reset Diet shows how to create a lifestyle to help us feel energized, slow down the effects of aging, and look our best.
The scientific reality is that 90 percent of the signs of aging and disease are caused by lifestyle choices, not our genes. According to Dr. Gottfried, a Harvard/MIT—trained physician, we have the ability to exert a positive influence over our genetic inheritance. She has created a seven-week program that empowers us to make the critical choices necessary to look and feel young. Age Is a Number—Aging Is a Choice. Buy on Amazon.com.

Aging Backwards: Reverse the Aging Process and Look 10 Years Younger in 30 Minutes a Day

by Miranda Esmonde-White

Healthy cells prevent joint pain, muscle loss, and weak bones. They also help control weight, increase energy, and improve strength and mobility. In Aging Backwards, PBS fitness personality Miranda Esmonde-White offers a guide on how to maintain and repair our cells through scientifically designed workouts. Her eight gentle workouts help to build core strength, lengthen and tone muscle, increase flexibility and mobility, and speed weight loss. Buy on Amazon.com.

The RBG Workout: How She Stays Strong . . . and You Can Too!

by Bryant Johnson

Have you ever wondered how Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the Supreme Court’s favorite octogenarians, keeps going? She owes it in part to workouts with her personal trainer, Bryant Johnson, a man she’s called “the most important person” in her life. Now you can work out with Justice Ginsburg’s trainer in the comfort of your home with The RBG Workout.

“If you think it’s an easy workout befitting a slightly built octogenarian, be warned: It isn’t.” —AARP  Buy on Amazon.com.

 

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