10/14/2013
"[A] small but important book… This is a book that could change your life, literally. Even following half the tips can make a huge difference in how you feel each day…If you are going to check out a new book this summer, A Short Guide to a Long Life is a great one to start with.
IL) News-Gazette (Champaign
The little volume contains Agus’s starkest, most clear-cut prescriptions yet…in a field rife with caveats, Agus speaks with a ringing clarity.
[Dr. Agus] makes better health feel like an attainable goal.
The beauty of Agus’ book is that it is short, comes straight to the point, and is devoid of arcane medical terms. The other sublime effect is that it was written to ‘prevent’ poor health practices, rather than deal with the costly solutions needed to cure you.
A Short Guide to a Long Life explores the simple idea that a healthy tomorrow starts with good habits today.
"A Short Guide to a Long Life explores the simple idea that a healthy tomorrow starts with good habits today."-- "Fortune"
The little volume contains Agus’s starkest, most clear-cut prescriptions yet…in a field rife with caveats, Agus speaks with a ringing clarity.
This little book is full of great reminders.
Shelf Awareness for Readers
Cancer specialist Agus offers 65 recommendations for healthy living, which he explains in short paragraphs. Listeners will notice that the amiable doctor occasionally jumbles syllables or is sloppy with his phrasing. But with his pleasant voice and conversational pacing, he’s an earnest and relaxed teacher who never sounds solicitous or self-important. His mostly mainstream advice has the ring of wisdom and is tastefully supported by brief and accessible research summaries. He’s not a fan of juicing or vitamin supplements, and he offers enough twists and contrarian suggestions to make his listeners think. With his breezy, sincere delivery and compact writing style, this a great resource for those who needs to tune up their health habits. T.W. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine
2013-10-01The 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.
