How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health - The Lucky Years

Good, simple and clear advice!

Backs up the advice, I got from a couple of mds over 2 decades ago to take a Baby Aspirin a day.

I am following some other advice in his book and will post the results mid fall of this year.

A good summary of modern medicine and treatment s on the horizon but nothing concrete on gaining access to those same advances. The only helpful information was that we are all different and "it depends. When looking at helpful diets, treatment, or modern cures.

Nothing to say, purchased on the fly, apparently when I was on a do ward slide. I'm not a critic of booms in general, so I won't start here. It just did not fit for me.
I think if you have the means and buy it, you'll know soon after starting to read if it's for you.
5 stars for knowledge and imparting it in a easy to read format.

The Lucky Years by Dr. David Agus provides information on how we can live longer and healthier lives because of technology and scientific advances. Dr. Argus is a professor at USC and the author of The End of Illness and other health books. This book adds to his basic premise that technological developments can save and extend your life. The more information you have about your health the better. He also makes some basic recommendations such as taking a baby aspirin and consider taking a statin. He says that red meat is not necessarily harmful but “processed” red meat is. But for most people processed red meat is the only available option. He also outlines a “Two Week Challenge” in which he says to keep a journal and engage in a variety of healthy activities. Dr. Agus also indicates which medical tests you should take.

The biggest problem I have with his views are in chapter six, “The Danger of Misinformation.” Here he claims that much medical research is flawed, citing a figure of 94%. He also criticizes Dr. Dean Ornish for his studies on the benefits of dietary changes, claiming that in one study regarding prostate cancer Dr. Ornish indicates, “lifestyle can reverse cancer.” In fact Dr. Ornish says, “May slow prostate cancer progress.” To be fair Dr. Agus does cite a number of other sources that support his claim about the deficiencies of much medical research. Still, he seems to be overly defensive about other approaches to health.

Dr. Agus makes other comments and recommendations such as:
1. Fish oil supplements do not work.
2. Exercise is beneficial for health, the minimal time being 150 minutes a week and the optimal 450 minutes. Moderate exercise is generally useful, but some strenuous exercise is also beneficial.
3. Testosterone therapy and HGH injections are not beneficial.
4. Things that do work include adequate sleep, sex and touching.

All in all I think it is worth reading this book, but it is largely a rehash of his previous work. My advice is to read The End of Illness for a better perspective on his views.

Very enthralling book that discusses the advances in personalized medicine over the last decades, and then allows you to apply these findings to your own life. Agus encourages you to study your habits for weeks and analyze them accordingly. The book also focuses on the significant changes in health care that we are all experiencing. For anyone who is on medication, the book is a necessary tool for understanding how these changes are affecting you! As an unapologetic fan of Dr. Agus' previous work I could not recommend this more!

Another fabulous, insightful read from a great, caring mind. Dr Agus always provides cutting edge information to help us live better and happier lives.
His writing is a joy to read. BRAVO DR. Agus!

David Agus is the real deal. His advice is sensible, practical, and data-driven. There are a lot of "philosophies" in the health sphere, and I subscribe to Dr. Agus's first and foremost. Never been healthier in my life. Follow his principles. Read his book. Enjoy!

While impressed by the author when I heard him interviewed on Howard Stern, within the first few pages it was clear he was more concerned with bashing conservatives than helping people with his brilliance. Dr. Argus, many people are not Al Gore disciples, and can actually read. Thank goodness the store has a policy allowing returns for quality issues. Too bad, the book held promise.

The Lucky Years is written with passion and honesty. David Angus shares his story of how to live through the crisis of the devastating news of cancer and how he comes to lose his battle. I fell in love with David, his wife and their willingness to tell the world of his journey. He was on my mind for weeks after putting down his book....a real tear jerker!
Anne from NH