Review: Ultralongevity by Mark Liponis

Title: UltraLongevity: The Seven-Step Program for a Younger, Healthier You
Author: Mark Liponis, MD
Pages: 304
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; Reprint edition (September 10, 2008)
Genre: Non-Fiction / Self-Help / Health
Edition: Paperback - many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy to review for my focus on Health and Beauty!



Perfect for : Personal Use, Professional Reading, Health Library

In a nutshell: This is another book that completely wowed me. The author explains how important our immune system is and how we can work in harmony with it, or ignore it and ultimately age faster and become unhealthy. He then goes on to share seven areas to focus on to improve the function of our immune systems: Breathe, Eat, Sleep, Dance, Love, Soothe and Enhance. I will admit that I have read very carefully from the beginning through the section on breathing, but that I skimmed beyond that as I scored so low on the UltraLongevity Quiz that I felt I needed to really go through the steps carefully. I am now more aware of my breathing and am focusing on changing the way I breathe. I find it amazing that I feel much more calm after paying more attention to this one step for a few days. This is another life-changing book that I hope you will take a look at.

Extended Review: In general, I know that I have an immune system, and I know a few things about how it works, but I didn't realize that I could do things in my everyday life to help support it (other than vitamins, etc). Mark Liponis explains the immune system in easy to understand terms, showing readers how they can live in harmony and support their immune system with easy changes.

Content: The book starts with an UltraLongevity Quiz, which was very eye-opening for me. The author then talks about the science behind the immune system, how it works, what it is made up of, and how it can impact our overall health and aging. The author then goes on to explain that we have the control to improve our immune system so that we are living in harmony with it by addressing 7 areas of our life: Breathe, Eat, Sleep, Dance, Love, Soothe and Enhance. Looking at the list, it seems a bit overwhelming, but the author goes on to provide us with an example day of someone who is actively using the seven-step program, and finishes with a sample menu for eight days, and includes vegetarian suggestions for those who need it.

Format: Easy to read, but seemingly very complete. The author shows us why the immune system is important, and how to support it in our daily life.

Readability: I was amazed at how quickly I read the book. I was so interested in what I was learning that the time simply flew by!

Overall: A very informative book that should help readers to feel and look younger and healthier. After actively working on the first step, I can see how beneficial this book is.

From the Publisher's Site:
Now in paperback, UltraLongevity presents a revolutionary idea: that aging and aging-related diseases---including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes---are autoimmune problems, and that a well-managed immune system is the key to healthy aging. Starting with a quiz---"How Fast Are You Aging?"---Dr. Mark Liponis explains the new science, lays out an accessible and proven 7-step program with an 8-day meal plan, and motivates readers to put the program into practice so that they can keep their minds sharp, become more physically fit, be more resistant to infections and disease, and feel and stay younger than they ever imagined.

First Paragraph:
Ever wonder why people seem to age at different rates?

As you will soon learn, the speed of aging is determined by your immune system and, in fact, nearly all diseases are now thought to be caused by an immune system breakdown. Without a strong system, you will neither look healthy nor be healthy.

About the Author: (From the publisher's site)
Mark Liponis, M.D., is the medical director of the Canyon Ranch Spa in all its locations. He is the coauthor of New York Times bestseller ULTRAPREVENTION, which won the 2003 "Books for a Better Life" Award in the health category.

If you have reviewed this book and would like me to add a link to your review, please include a link in your comment!