The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps [Hardcover]

Nicholas Perricone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

For women seeking complexion perfection, Dr. Nicholas Perricone is the name to know; actress Courteney Cox counts herself among his many devotees. In The Perricone Promise, he claims that his 28-day program will help stop and even reverse the aging process, making anyone who follows his advice "look and feel ten years younger." Perricone says the brain and the skin both start out as the same embryonic tissue, so it follows that any efforts aimed at improving one's complexion will also improve one's memory and overall sense of well-being. To this end, he recommends a three-pronged approach: a very specific 28-day diet; supplements taken morning, noon, and night; and his own line of "topical" cosmetics, all aimed at boosting the body's levels of "peptides and neuropeptides." These substances, according to Perricone, are not only the building blocks of the skin's collagen, but an integral part of the functioning of the immune system, and may prevent inflammation in the body that's associated with such illnesses as arthritis and heart disease.Perricone's diet sensibly includes a "rainbow" of fruits and vegetables and the liberal use of herbs and spices, and shuns any foods browned or cooked at high temperatures. But unfortunately, some of the food combinations sound less than appetizing (typical snack: "1-2 ounces sliced turkey or chicken breast, 3 olives, 3 strawberries, 8 ounces water"). His eponymous supplements and cosmetics are also pretty pricey, but as far as Perricone's fans are concerned, when it comes to putting the brakes on the aging process, you get what you pay for. --Erica Jorgensen

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

For women seeking complexion perfection, Dr. Nicholas Perricone is the name to know; actress Courteney Cox counts herself among his many devotees. In The Perricone Promise, he claims that his 28-day program will help stop and even reverse the aging process, making anyone who follows his advice "look and feel ten years younger." Perricone says the brain and the skin both start out as the same embryonic tissue, so it follows that any efforts aimed at improving one's complexion will also improve one's memory and overall sense of well-being.

To this end, he recommends a three-pronged approach: a very specific 28-day diet; supplements taken morning, noon, and night; and his own line of "topical" cosmetics, all aimed at boosting the body's levels of "peptides and neuropeptides." These substances, according to Perricone, are not only the building blocks of the skin's collagen, but an integral part of the functioning of the immune system, and may prevent inflammation in the body that's associated with such illnesses as arthritis and heart disease.

Perricone's diet sensibly includes a "rainbow" of fruits and vegetables and the liberal use of herbs and spices, and shuns any foods browned or cooked at high temperatures. But unfortunately, some of the food combinations sound less than appetizing (typical snack: "1-2 ounces sliced turkey or chicken breast, 3 olives, 3 strawberries, 8 ounces water"). His eponymous supplements and cosmetics are also pretty pricey, but as far as Perricone's fans are concerned, when it comes to putting the brakes on the aging process, you get what you pay for. --Erica Jorgensen

From Publishers Weekly

Dermatologist and bestselling author Perricone (The Perricone Prescription, etc.) takes his extensive knowledge of skin care and aging to a deeper level in his latest volume, explaining the science behind his theory that aging is intimately tied to inflammation. Perricone claims that certain peptides and neuropeptides (proteinlike substances found within the body) are key to maintaining health and longevity, and our food choices can boost their positive power. How one ages, Perricone says, largely depends on what one eats; the wrong choices have a crucial impact on wrinkles, degenerative diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's, and can accelerate aging. Although Perricone doesn't offer a magic potion, he does claim his 28-day plan will decelerate the aging process by fighting inflammation. While the author's rather pricey topical products ($95 for a "face firming activator") are part of this complex program, the bulk of the text focuses on affordable options, such as purchasing "rainbow foods" (fresh fruits and vegetables), liberally using such healthy spices as oregano and basil, and consuming "superfoods" like barley, beans and hot peppers. Perricone also recommends natural supplements, including coenzyme Q10 and vitamin C ester, and provides a detailed plan that combines diet, exercise, supplements and topicals. Though the science-based text is sometimes weighty, readers seeking the logic behind their skin and health-care decisions won't be disappointed by the promises Perricone makes.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 232 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; First Printing edition (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0046650016
• ISBN-13: 978-0046650018
• ASIN: 044650016X
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #601,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

181 of 188 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's all a matter of what choices we make., June 3, 2005

By 

MotherLodeBeth "MotherLodeBeth" (Sierras of California) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps (Hardcover)

The reason the book interested me was because of his appearance on my local PBS station. While I agree that his menus, supplements etc may be out of reach for a few people, many are well within the budget of someone who knows how to budget well and is willing to learn how to eat healthy.

His simple suggestions to stop drinking coffee in the morning and drink green or black tea instead is something most people can do.

Cannot afford Pacific salmon like I can? Then use the flax seed oil like he recommends. I also use flax seed oil. And who cannot afford to buy fresh or frozen blueberries? One bag of frozen blueberries is less than four dollars and will last you a whole week since one serving is only 1/3 cup.

A can of salmon which he says you can substitute if fresh isn't available or is to expensive for those living in the mid-west. One average size salmon fillet where I live is around 8 oz, which cut in half will make two meals.

Most people need only delete the junk food and invest in the good foods he recommends. Most people can afford to plant a few fresh vegetables in their yards or amongst the flower gardens, so that's something he also encourages.

As for some of the pricier items he suggests, I tend to think most Americans with well stocked and affordable health or whole food stores, can budget wisely and buy many of the items he suggests.

Look at his average breakfast which costs very little if you look at the amount needed. 3 egg omelet and/or 4-6 oz. grilled salmon, 1/2 cup cooked non-instant oatmeal, 1/3 cup fresh berries or small slice of melon. Green tea. 8-12 oz. spring water per meal.

For lunch he suggests something more salmon and a small 2 cup serving of a dark green lettuce salad with extra virgin olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon to taste, and 1/3 cup serving of fresh fruit.

For snacks he suggests Small handful of hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds or an apple. For dinner he suggests fish, another small sald and additional vegetables like 1/2 cup steamed asparagus, broccoli, or spinach, and 1/3 cup berries or melon and water.

He does allow an apple or nuts etc as a bedtime snack, but I dont eat anything three hours before bedtime.

Look at how much the average family spends on Pepsi, Coke and other soft drinks per month, yet a good water filter like the Brita faucet mount available via Amazon.com can give you a better beverage, good clean water, which will heal and vitalize your body for of what one six pack of sodas cost you in one month.

It's all a matter of what choices we make. And even he says that even if you follow only one part of his program you should be healthier. All I need do is look at how much the choices he suggests will save me in medical costs (co-pays) over the year and it's well worth it.

And I am walking proof that some simple changes like drinking water throughout the day, getting enough sleep, walking more, eating smaller meals, and having a more positive attitude can help you have better skin and loose weight and keep it off. And I have continued to do this, even after my husband died fourteen months ago, thanks to a drunk driver.

119 of 125 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book! However..., November 12, 2004

By 

Book Lover - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps (Hardcover)

I was quite saddened to see that I am going to have to sell my house and personal belongings to afford the face creams and supplements he recommends. On a positive note, I have done the diet part of the book for 2 days now, and must say my energy has skyrocketed! I actually jumped out of bed this morning, and usually I hit snooze 3-4 times.

The book itself is well-written, but it is not riveting. It is quite scientific. If the information wasn't so amazing, I would have put it down right away. I love most of his tips. Eat lots of authentic foods, eat protein first at each meal, and use herbs LIBERALLY. The book says NOT to eat fat-free anything (I just about lived on expensive diet food products before). It was liberating to shop for fresh, whole foods this week. Thank you Dr. Perricone, you have written a great book, now please come up with a cream that the masses (Oprah excluded) can afford!

127 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Got cash?????, August 4, 2005

By 

Carolyn Rampone "Carolyn D'Amico Rampone" (Plantation, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps (Hardcover)

"The Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps " leaves out one, very important step. The requirement to be independently wealthy or having just won the lottery. When an author sells his book for $20.00 and then reveals inside that you will need items totaling over $1400.00 more to reap the full benefits, he's assuming people are gullible and desperate. Going by Amazon ranking this the #2 book in sales, he may be right.
There is nothing in this book you won't find in a copy of Prevention magazine except for the referral to his website to buy his over priced products. As I've said before, lean proteins, lots of fruits and vegetables, and plenty of water will do the trick for most of us. I would discourage anyone from eating the amounts of salmon called for by the program unless you're sure your liver can handle the abundance of toxins it will now have to process. I hear there is a great liver cleansing diet out there, just in case.
I bought "The Perricone Promise" and read it with high hopes after seeing Dr. Nicholas Perricone on a talk show. It sounded good but I quickly realized it wasn't anything that was workable for the average consumer. Really!! the prices of these magical creams are outrageous and he won't guarantee the results without them. As an example, he sells a bottle of "N.V. Perricone Neuropeptide Facial Conformer" on Amazon for $570.00. This item promises to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin's appearance. I marched my copy back to Barnes and Noble and promptly got a refund.