UltraLongevity: The Seven-Step Program for a Younger, Healthier You (Hardcover)

by Mark Liponis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Liponis, a corporate medical doctor, theorizes that it isn't aging that kills a person: it's their immune system. According to the book, Immune system hyperactivity can be stopped at any age by incorporating healthy lifestyle changes. An interesting quiz (How Fast Are You Aging?) points to major factors in an overactive immune system. Smoking, poor air quality, being overweight, overuse of antibiotics, low birth weight, loneliness and stress all have a negative impact on your score, while eating right, getting enough sleep and exercise, having a pet and a good sex life will put you in the plus column. Liponis renders the complicated immune system understandable by comparing it to our nation's Homeland Security—investigating intruders and warding off potential threats. His seven steps to a healthy system (breathe, eat, sleep, dance, love, soothe, enhance) are well reasoned and sensible. However, the eight-day meal plan may not be to everyone's liking, and Liponis occasionally lapses into a touchy-feely, new-age tone that may turn off some readers. (Sept.)
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Review
"Two of the country's leading authorities in preventive medicine...describe the latest scientifically based approaches to preventing disease and enjoying life to the fullest."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (September 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316017280
• ISBN-13: 978-0316017282
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,300 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Full of info to live better and healthier, September 18, 2007

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: UltraLongevity: The Seven-Step Program for a Younger, Healthier You (Audio CD)

What do breathing, eating, sleeping, loving, soothing, enhancing, and dancing accomplish? They are the seven things you can do to change your life for the younger (and better).

Recent scientific research indicates that by paying attention to your immune system, you can control the aging process. Simply by following the seven steps put forth in this book, you can reverse many of the complications that people associate with aging-and live long, healthy, productive, and remarkably enjoyable lives. Each of the seven steps is detailed, and recipes are provided to ease the transition to productive eating. Also included is a simple review of the science behind the immune system and a quiz to assess your current lifestyle.

Talk about your interesting book. It is chock full of great information that inspires you to better living. He gives just enough details to make various lifestyle changes not only reasonable, but feasible. He even does a relatively decent job of explaining the complex immune system in layman's terms (considering I have a college degree in this field and he lost me a time or two, I wouldn't say it was a perfect explanation).

My chief complaint about this book is the great amount of time he spent in the netherworld of evolution. The science of the immune system was quite possibly spot on, but it was absolutely unnecessary to continue to state over and over again how it evolved over millions of years. A reference or two I wouldn't even mention, but the evolution horse was beaten dead. Regardless, there is a great amount of useful information in the rest of the book and I intend to put it to use.

Armchair Interviews says: This is a great resource for those experiencing an overactive immune system and those who hope not to.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why You Should Buy This Book, September 19, 2007

By	Anna Graham (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

In a nutshell, what Dr. Liponis is saying is: There is one primary way to make sure that you live a long and healthy life, and that is to keep your immune system in the best shape possible. The most recent medical research shows that nearly all, if not every, disease now known is actually caused by an overactive immune system--this includes everything from cancer to strokes to Alzheimers to diabetes. Your immune system, which when it's doing well is keeping you healthy, is also responsible for making you ill.

In the first part of the book, Dr. Liponis explains how the immune system works, describes how it may have evolved, and then shows how, and why, it goes wrong. In the book's second part, he shows you how to keep your immune system in perfect shape with an easy-to-follow seven step program. The book concludes with excellent recipes from the world's best spa kitchen, Canyon Ranch, where Dr. Liponis is the medical director.

All in all, there is no other book on the market now that can promise you a long and healthy life -- if you're willing to give up your bad habits and start taking care of your immune system.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Breathe..., September 30, 2007

By	Gina Bleedorn (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In a world saturated with health crazes, UltraLongevity shines alone as a smart, intuitive, and realistic methodology to not just living longer, but being happier and healthier in the process. In accordance with his own medical research, Dr. Liponis converts familiar--even almost mundane--accepted knowledge into new understanding that will change your perception of healthy living.

Arming the reader with general immune system knowledge in a way that makes Biology 101 seems as intriguing as the season finale of 24, Dr. Liponis establishes an easy-to-follow foundation for the "how" and "why" of his seven step process. And then in simple words and everyday language, he untangles the confusing web of health newsflashes and rules and jumbled facts into a clear solution that just "clicks."

Dr. Liponis' boost-your-immune-system approach is not about dropping extra pounds, lowering cholesterol, relieving stress or increasing your energy; it's about how these things--and much more--can and will happen as a side effect of changing your habits based on his philosophy. As you read the book you'll feel compelled to squeeze yourself a fresh glass of orange juice, soak in a bubble bath, walk your dog, and tell your husband you love him, all while taking a big cleansing breath and saying, "Ahhhhh."

The enlightenment you'll receive from UltraLongevity is, quite literally, life changing. It's not the Fountain of Youth per say, but rather a key to living the longest, healthiest life possible. I found it fascinating and enjoyable to read, but most importantly doable. I'd recommend it to anyone wants to live long and be happy. Much praise, Dr. Liponis, for doing more than your part to better our world.