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The Lucky Years: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health
“If you buy just one health book this year, then get The Lucky Years” (Howard Stern). In this groundbreaking guide, bestselling author David Agus shows how we can take control of our health like never before in the brave new world of medicine.
In his first bestseller, The End of Illness, David Agus revealed how to add vibrant years to your life by knowing the real facts of health. In The Lucky Years, he builds on that theme by showing why this is the luckiest time yet to be alive, giving you the keys to a new kingdom of wellness.
In this new golden age, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the latest science and technologies to customize your care. Imagine being able edit your DNA to increase a healthy lifespan; use simple technologies to avoid or control chronic conditions like pain, depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes; prolong natural fertility and have children in your forties; lose weight effortlessly without a trendy diet; reverse aging to look, feel, and physically be ten years younger; and turn cancer into a manageable condition you can live with indefinitely. That’s the picture of the future that you can enter—starting today.
With “practical health information fortified with exciting news from the forefront of modern medical technology” (Kirkus Reviews), this is an essential, important read. “If you have made a new year’s resolution to get healthier, you’ll find a buddy in David B. Agus’s new book” (The Boston Globe). Welcome to the Lucky Years.
In his first bestseller, The End of Illness, David Agus revealed how to add vibrant years to your life by knowing the real facts of health. In The Lucky Years, he builds on that theme by showing why this is the luckiest time yet to be alive, giving you the keys to a new kingdom of wellness.
In this new golden age, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the latest science and technologies to customize your care. Imagine being able edit your DNA to increase a healthy lifespan; use simple technologies to avoid or control chronic conditions like pain, depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes; prolong natural fertility and have children in your forties; lose weight effortlessly without a trendy diet; reverse aging to look, feel, and physically be ten years younger; and turn cancer into a manageable condition you can live with indefinitely. That’s the picture of the future that you can enter—starting today.
With “practical health information fortified with exciting news from the forefront of modern medical technology” (Kirkus Reviews), this is an essential, important read. “If you have made a new year’s resolution to get healthier, you’ll find a buddy in David B. Agus’s new book” (The Boston Globe). Welcome to the Lucky Years.
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Published January 5, 2016
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September 5, 2017
About the book: The Lucky Years is your guide to understanding the cutting-edge developments in medical science which are addressing society’s most pressing health problems. While advances in genetics may seem to be the key to curing cancer, infertility and aging. This book shows that simple, sensible health strategies may more effectively improve the health and happiness of the world’s population.
About the author: Dr. David B. Agus is a medical doctor and engineer, known as one of America’s leading oncologists. He has founded a number of medical companies focused on offering personalized medication. He is also the author of other books such as The End of Illness and A Short Guide to a Long Life.
My highlights:
Genetics may hold the key to explaining why some people seem “younger” than their real age. Researchers at Boston University, for example, have come up with an online calculator that helps you determine your heart’s biological age by answering a few questions
Genetics can help researchers work out which parts of human DNA are responsible for extending the biological youth of our bodies
Preventative medicine is both smart and sustainable, and too often ignored in Western culture. Preventative actions, in contrast, can keep a body healthy without the constant intake of drugs. In the end, however, each person must take the time to work out which solutions suit them best. Doctors and scientists thus are limited to making blanket statements about health.
Society often fails to recognize when weight issues become a problem, for both adults and children. 67 percent of American people are overweight – an astonishing statistic.Here’s another data point that’s even more surprising: just 36 percent of overweight people recognize that they are indeed overweight
Regular exercise can add years to your lifespan, but many people just can’t or won’t get off the couch. If you bump your walking to 7.5 hours per week, you can expect to add 4.5 years to your lifespan!The study also found that by actively exercising for at least two hours each week and maintaining a healthy weight, people can raise their life expectancy by as much as seven years.
Athletes can’t perform at their peak without a good night’s sleep. It turns out that neither can you. Individuals who sleep less than six hours each night are four times more likely to catch a cold compared to people who sleep eight hours.
About the author: Dr. David B. Agus is a medical doctor and engineer, known as one of America’s leading oncologists. He has founded a number of medical companies focused on offering personalized medication. He is also the author of other books such as The End of Illness and A Short Guide to a Long Life.
My highlights:
Genetics may hold the key to explaining why some people seem “younger” than their real age. Researchers at Boston University, for example, have come up with an online calculator that helps you determine your heart’s biological age by answering a few questions
Genetics can help researchers work out which parts of human DNA are responsible for extending the biological youth of our bodies
Preventative medicine is both smart and sustainable, and too often ignored in Western culture. Preventative actions, in contrast, can keep a body healthy without the constant intake of drugs. In the end, however, each person must take the time to work out which solutions suit them best. Doctors and scientists thus are limited to making blanket statements about health.
Society often fails to recognize when weight issues become a problem, for both adults and children. 67 percent of American people are overweight – an astonishing statistic.Here’s another data point that’s even more surprising: just 36 percent of overweight people recognize that they are indeed overweight
Regular exercise can add years to your lifespan, but many people just can’t or won’t get off the couch. If you bump your walking to 7.5 hours per week, you can expect to add 4.5 years to your lifespan!The study also found that by actively exercising for at least two hours each week and maintaining a healthy weight, people can raise their life expectancy by as much as seven years.
Athletes can’t perform at their peak without a good night’s sleep. It turns out that neither can you. Individuals who sleep less than six hours each night are four times more likely to catch a cold compared to people who sleep eight hours.
March 16, 2016
Reading this book reminded me of the adage "if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." The author is an expert on applied molecular medicine, and (somewhat predictably) sees the solutions to most of today's health woes in molecular biology-derived tests, medications and prevention. I was very disappointed, since I hoped for a more comprehensive approach, including discussion of environmental factors, prevention through nutrition, and insights into the efficacy (or lack thereof) of testing. I also was not particularly encouraged by Dr. Agus' tunnel vision-predictions of better health through applied molecular medicine.
February 5, 2016
David Agus is a USC professor and a doctor who treats cancer. This short book is worth the read on at least three counts. First, he gives you an idea about what is coming in the "health" century - innovations that will amaze most of us and will help extend not only our years but our quality years. Second, he explains that in order to best be prepared to benefit, we need to take responsibility for our health decisions. He even includes a handy two week guide to help make you become more aware of your own health. At the same time he gives us a peek into bio-metrics that are here now and could come very soon - the data about yourself and your health that can make you and your doctor better able to treat problems and prevent others. He does a fairly long discussion of the benefits of baby aspirin and statins - both of which can reduce potential threats of heart and cancer problems. He has some very good ideas about how to prepare for a discussion with your doctor. Finally, he takes a well deserved shot at the health faddists and the fakers who are quick to point out that this or that therapy or tonic might do all sorts of wonderful things for you.
March 25, 2016
We'll be ready for an education from one of the nations top oncologists. Some chapters go into a very deep explanation of DNA and mitochondria. But some chapters give some great health tips. I thought it had a great balance. For the average reader it might go a little deeper than one needs.
Read
February 4, 2016Everything in moderation. Seek multiple references.
It is the same advice my parents always gave me.
It is the same advice my parents always gave me.
July 16, 2021
There was a lot of good information in this, although there was not a lot of new ground broken here. Much is common sense - eat sensibly, exercise moderately, try not to sit for prolonged periods of time, control your stress, and find your purpose. That does not make it without worth. It is good to listen to the perspective of a respected oncologist about how to stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible.
Items of note:
You have to do what's right for you, based on your personal code of values, health circumstances, and tolerance for risk, in consultation with your own physician.
Since 2006, more than two hundred mass killings have occurred in the United States; they happen on average every two weeks. [Sadly, this was written in 2016 and I think that statistic has only worsened.]
Create a family health history at familyhistory.hhs.gov
...time does matter.
Muscle mass and strength are among the most underappreciated and unrecognized aspects of health.
One site to bookmark is Greatest.com. It offers a catalog of the best health and fitness apps and will help you navigate all the latest and greatest tools.
Items of note:
You have to do what's right for you, based on your personal code of values, health circumstances, and tolerance for risk, in consultation with your own physician.
Since 2006, more than two hundred mass killings have occurred in the United States; they happen on average every two weeks. [Sadly, this was written in 2016 and I think that statistic has only worsened.]
Create a family health history at familyhistory.hhs.gov
...time does matter.
Muscle mass and strength are among the most underappreciated and unrecognized aspects of health.
One site to bookmark is Greatest.com. It offers a catalog of the best health and fitness apps and will help you navigate all the latest and greatest tools.
September 3, 2017
Like a typical personal health care book, the book offers useful tips, especially for white-collar workers nowadays such as:
• Sleep for 7 hours a night constantly.
• Sex and cuddling are important.
• Gluten-free is a myth.
• Etc.
Worth a read tho! :)
• Sleep for 7 hours a night constantly.
• Sex and cuddling are important.
• Gluten-free is a myth.
• Etc.
Worth a read tho! :)
June 11, 2017
Stumbled across this at the library. Its OK. Traditional M.D. (Oncologist) does a decent job of explaining how in the very near future how medicine is going to chane due to all sorts of advances in in tech and medical science. A lot of the picture he paints is rather disturbing from a civil-libertarian perspective. Also, a doctor that thinks EVERYONE should be on statin drugs regardless of health condition is rather scary to me as well. He does make a case for it, but I disagree. If anyone is remotely interested in alternative health practices, there will be more things in this book to annoy you.
January 6, 2016
The Lucky Years: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health by David B. Agus M.D. is more or less an assessment and consideration of the latest developments made in the field of general medicine in recent years. The book is a progression of the author’s point of view from his earlier bestsellers “The End of Illness” and “A Short Guide to a Long Life.” According to David B. Agus, the secrets to your health and longevity are hiding within you.
“Today when you go to the doctor for a wellness checkup, you make an appointment far in advance and then visit the doctor’s office to get your data collected, including blood pressure, weight, and other routine lab tests…. A future doctor’s visit, on the other hand, will be all about putting the data collected into context so you can know what’s best for you. You won’t go there to collect data. Instead, you will go in with your data. Some examples that I foresee: A week prior to your appointment, you will mail a biochip to your doctor’s office that contains a drop of blood from a finger prick that can be analyzed. Your smartphone and other portable devices, some of which will be wearable like watches or bracelets, will be equipped with all sorts of technologies to measure various features about your health.”
This book may have some good points, but other experts will easily point out that the book misses the mark by a wide margin on many levels. However, the ideas are quite innovative, especially the two-week challenge. We are certainly living in the “lucky years” as science and medicine has made rapid advancement, but the author cautioned that it is a “privilege of the prepared and the knowledgeable.” Provocative and challenging, The Lucky Years: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health by David B. Agus M.D. is a must read if you are conscious about your health and want to be fortified with knowledge.
“Today when you go to the doctor for a wellness checkup, you make an appointment far in advance and then visit the doctor’s office to get your data collected, including blood pressure, weight, and other routine lab tests…. A future doctor’s visit, on the other hand, will be all about putting the data collected into context so you can know what’s best for you. You won’t go there to collect data. Instead, you will go in with your data. Some examples that I foresee: A week prior to your appointment, you will mail a biochip to your doctor’s office that contains a drop of blood from a finger prick that can be analyzed. Your smartphone and other portable devices, some of which will be wearable like watches or bracelets, will be equipped with all sorts of technologies to measure various features about your health.”
This book may have some good points, but other experts will easily point out that the book misses the mark by a wide margin on many levels. However, the ideas are quite innovative, especially the two-week challenge. We are certainly living in the “lucky years” as science and medicine has made rapid advancement, but the author cautioned that it is a “privilege of the prepared and the knowledgeable.” Provocative and challenging, The Lucky Years: How to Thrive in the Brave New World of Health by David B. Agus M.D. is a must read if you are conscious about your health and want to be fortified with knowledge.
September 28, 2025
The Lucky Years – How to Thrive in The Brave New World of Health by Doctor David Agus, author of the brilliant, life changing A Short Guide to A Long Life, which could help make you do this…
http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/02/u...
10 out of 10
I have been so thrilled, elated, optimistic after reading A Short Guide to A Long Life that I have posted five (5) notes on my blog, impressed with the advice that we could use and the positive feelings generated by that lifesaving, phenomenal book that we should all read, to help us reach healthy, Long Lives – for instance, David Agus, in his excellent A short Guide to A Long Life and other experts recommend a dog, which will:
‘Condition his master and force him to respect a schedule, with fixed hours, which are also good for our well being
Because a dog needs exercise it will make the owner walk or even jog with his pet and therefore help his health’
Doctor David Agus is one of the best experts and therefore, we have access through those marvelous books to the best advice, analysis we could get, indeed, the late, regretted Steve Jobs had a special, extraordinary team of doctors to advise him, and David Agus was one of them…alas, this happened at a very late stage, when it was too late to stop the cancer from advancing, and before that, the extraordinary entrepreneur had used unorthodox, and also inefficient means to treat his disease, with palliatives, homeopathy, which do not work and it seems to be a known, accepted fact that had he been using established, scientific means to combat the illness, the outcomes would have been better…
It is true that most people would be tempted to dismiss this book, not read it in their young years, unless they have some condition, a disease that would prompt them to be interested in their health and challenges to it, and leave it for the mature period, only then, it could also be pushed aside, like I did for quite some time, because it feels depressing to read about cancers and new treatments for them… http://realini.blogspot.com/2016/08/n...
Indeed, where it not for a quirk in the filing, I would have avoided this read and very likely postpone it forever, but it was placed in a to read context, vey prominent, so there we are, talking about it…as it is, the passages about terminal illness have me looking for the exit and I just close my ears for the duration – it is an audiobook – and look for the more positive passages, some of which can be somewhat amusing, like the reference to the phenomena which has overweight, even obese humans dismiss their condition, studies show that many of those with a weight problem say they do not have it…
When surrounded by people that are overweight, one with the same issues will see one self as ‘normal’ – there are psychology studies that have shown that eating with someone else increases the amount we consume, and the bigger the number of folks at the table, the more we add to our plate, up to near twice the usual quantity when we eat with eight or ten, I think it was, and I wonder if this is not connected with the Social Proof Rule from the classic Influence by marvelous Robert Cialdini http://realini.blogspot.com/2013/10/i... - which has devastating effects
This would go back to The Wobegon Days and the Effect that has generated, the tendency that we have to value our skills as better than the average, we see ourselves as better than average drivers, when this is clearly impossible, we could not have a majority better than the norm, which if we use logic, if a distorted one, would change the average http://realini.blogspot.com/2020/08/l...
We learn a lot about long, healthy life from another wondrous work, Ikigai http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/i... the Japanese secret which can be summarized (though it is better to read the book) with – eat only to 80% at the table, have a circle of friends, take it slowly, exercise, smile, and then you could also try a diet which has helped the people of Okinawa reach one hundred in record numbers, which includes little meat, a special potato, and a variety of crudité
Another excellent read would be Home Deus – A Brief History of Tomorrow by the magnificent Yuval Harari http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/02/h... in which the author argues that new discoveries will help humans become gods – hence the title – and live to 200 and more, albeit there will be differences in what access the rich versus the poor will have at this and other technologies, in the future it will be possible to become much more ‘intelligent’ thanks to implants and other gadgets.
Positive Psychology is one element that we can use now to benefit from The Lucky Years, for studies in this domain have shown that people who are positive live longer, healthier and more successful lives than the negative ones, there is a whole library that you can consult on the subject, especially Martin Seligman, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Tal Ben-Shahar, Ed Diener, Stefan Klein, Shawn Achor http://realini.blogspot.com/2014/02/t...
The question at this time could be how to convince others of the merits of positivity – never mind oneself, for we forget, I for instance know about the vital role that being positive plays, but cannot stop whining and feeling down when I see all those public lights on in the Mogosoaia Park and Cultural Centre while the public is not allowed, or neighbors parking over the bushes that I have planted, carrying many of them in my car, not to mention the latest cataclysmic news that a rocket has landed into Poland (in fact, a missile) and even if it was just a mistake, or maybe the result of a clash midair between an Ukrainian defense projectile and an incoming Russian one, still, it reminds us of how close we can get to World War III and thus the annihilation of humanity – with this background, it is difficult to persuade others, Socrates say, of the benefits of forgetting about the reckless drivers, the conspiracy theories he embraces, which make him mad, because he sees the price of gas, maybe even the war in Ukraine as the result of machinations, the interference of hidden actors…
http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/r...
http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/02/u...
10 out of 10
I have been so thrilled, elated, optimistic after reading A Short Guide to A Long Life that I have posted five (5) notes on my blog, impressed with the advice that we could use and the positive feelings generated by that lifesaving, phenomenal book that we should all read, to help us reach healthy, Long Lives – for instance, David Agus, in his excellent A short Guide to A Long Life and other experts recommend a dog, which will:
‘Condition his master and force him to respect a schedule, with fixed hours, which are also good for our well being
Because a dog needs exercise it will make the owner walk or even jog with his pet and therefore help his health’
Doctor David Agus is one of the best experts and therefore, we have access through those marvelous books to the best advice, analysis we could get, indeed, the late, regretted Steve Jobs had a special, extraordinary team of doctors to advise him, and David Agus was one of them…alas, this happened at a very late stage, when it was too late to stop the cancer from advancing, and before that, the extraordinary entrepreneur had used unorthodox, and also inefficient means to treat his disease, with palliatives, homeopathy, which do not work and it seems to be a known, accepted fact that had he been using established, scientific means to combat the illness, the outcomes would have been better…
It is true that most people would be tempted to dismiss this book, not read it in their young years, unless they have some condition, a disease that would prompt them to be interested in their health and challenges to it, and leave it for the mature period, only then, it could also be pushed aside, like I did for quite some time, because it feels depressing to read about cancers and new treatments for them… http://realini.blogspot.com/2016/08/n...
Indeed, where it not for a quirk in the filing, I would have avoided this read and very likely postpone it forever, but it was placed in a to read context, vey prominent, so there we are, talking about it…as it is, the passages about terminal illness have me looking for the exit and I just close my ears for the duration – it is an audiobook – and look for the more positive passages, some of which can be somewhat amusing, like the reference to the phenomena which has overweight, even obese humans dismiss their condition, studies show that many of those with a weight problem say they do not have it…
When surrounded by people that are overweight, one with the same issues will see one self as ‘normal’ – there are psychology studies that have shown that eating with someone else increases the amount we consume, and the bigger the number of folks at the table, the more we add to our plate, up to near twice the usual quantity when we eat with eight or ten, I think it was, and I wonder if this is not connected with the Social Proof Rule from the classic Influence by marvelous Robert Cialdini http://realini.blogspot.com/2013/10/i... - which has devastating effects
This would go back to The Wobegon Days and the Effect that has generated, the tendency that we have to value our skills as better than the average, we see ourselves as better than average drivers, when this is clearly impossible, we could not have a majority better than the norm, which if we use logic, if a distorted one, would change the average http://realini.blogspot.com/2020/08/l...
We learn a lot about long, healthy life from another wondrous work, Ikigai http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/i... the Japanese secret which can be summarized (though it is better to read the book) with – eat only to 80% at the table, have a circle of friends, take it slowly, exercise, smile, and then you could also try a diet which has helped the people of Okinawa reach one hundred in record numbers, which includes little meat, a special potato, and a variety of crudité
Another excellent read would be Home Deus – A Brief History of Tomorrow by the magnificent Yuval Harari http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/02/h... in which the author argues that new discoveries will help humans become gods – hence the title – and live to 200 and more, albeit there will be differences in what access the rich versus the poor will have at this and other technologies, in the future it will be possible to become much more ‘intelligent’ thanks to implants and other gadgets.
Positive Psychology is one element that we can use now to benefit from The Lucky Years, for studies in this domain have shown that people who are positive live longer, healthier and more successful lives than the negative ones, there is a whole library that you can consult on the subject, especially Martin Seligman, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Tal Ben-Shahar, Ed Diener, Stefan Klein, Shawn Achor http://realini.blogspot.com/2014/02/t...
The question at this time could be how to convince others of the merits of positivity – never mind oneself, for we forget, I for instance know about the vital role that being positive plays, but cannot stop whining and feeling down when I see all those public lights on in the Mogosoaia Park and Cultural Centre while the public is not allowed, or neighbors parking over the bushes that I have planted, carrying many of them in my car, not to mention the latest cataclysmic news that a rocket has landed into Poland (in fact, a missile) and even if it was just a mistake, or maybe the result of a clash midair between an Ukrainian defense projectile and an incoming Russian one, still, it reminds us of how close we can get to World War III and thus the annihilation of humanity – with this background, it is difficult to persuade others, Socrates say, of the benefits of forgetting about the reckless drivers, the conspiracy theories he embraces, which make him mad, because he sees the price of gas, maybe even the war in Ukraine as the result of machinations, the interference of hidden actors…
http://realini.blogspot.com/2022/03/r...
February 14, 2016
I have always admired Dr. David Agus for his simple yet informative messages about the confusing fields of health and medicine. I picked up his latest book as soon as I heard its publication. Based on the commercials, I was hopeful for its insight on personalized medicine and other major breakthroughs to help us thrive in the new world of health. I was disappointed to find out that this book is more like a long research paper about statistics and studies, without anything concrete that can be applied today. The new cell phone apps and "big data" promises fell short on the deliverables of lucky years ahead. His other books are better.
May 3, 2016
I had high hopes for this book after seeing Dr. Agus on the Today Show. However, it is not reader friendly and is filled with too many statistics and data. I wanted to like it and get something from it since many in my family had or have cancer. I knew I may have trouble listening to his advice after I read two things: He feels health insurance is not a right which I completely disagree with and his statements that taking Omega supplements don't do anything. I will stick with Dr. Weil's and Dr. Hyman's advice, thank you.
March 9, 2019
Synopsis: The Lucky Years is a look at all that is medical, now and what is coming in the future. It is written by a practicing oncologist. He breaks the book down into three key parts:
First - David looks at the advancement that have recently been made in medicine and what is just around the corner. THis is where the author initiates the talk that we are entering the lucky years of medicine where most major issues can be worked around or overcome, so long as people are willing to commit. This part includes a look at sequencing your DNA, a look at gut bacteria biomes, and technologies for constantly monitoring hear rate, blood pressure and other pertinent medical information.
Second - David talks about the misinformation out there, whether it be from news outlets cherry picking the studies out there, journals where most of the new studies are not correct, or experts who misrepresent the findings they have reached. He talks about how important it is in this time to have candid talks and an open viewpoint when talking about new studies.
Third - David talks about actual wonder drugs that can help you right now (some depending on age and personal health) this includes, getting at least 7 hours of sleep, touching others, sex (somewhat), and taking aspirin and staten on a daily basis.
The Best: This opened my eyes to a lot going on in the medical community and how in your hands physical well being really is.
The Worst: the look at a lot of issues from solely the point of view of medicine, such as data collection and pharmacological answers, it would have been nice to see him take a balanced approach to these issues. Also he ends the book saying statens could cure Ebola, with no studies to back it up… I feel like he could have left that comment out?
First - David looks at the advancement that have recently been made in medicine and what is just around the corner. THis is where the author initiates the talk that we are entering the lucky years of medicine where most major issues can be worked around or overcome, so long as people are willing to commit. This part includes a look at sequencing your DNA, a look at gut bacteria biomes, and technologies for constantly monitoring hear rate, blood pressure and other pertinent medical information.
Second - David talks about the misinformation out there, whether it be from news outlets cherry picking the studies out there, journals where most of the new studies are not correct, or experts who misrepresent the findings they have reached. He talks about how important it is in this time to have candid talks and an open viewpoint when talking about new studies.
Third - David talks about actual wonder drugs that can help you right now (some depending on age and personal health) this includes, getting at least 7 hours of sleep, touching others, sex (somewhat), and taking aspirin and staten on a daily basis.
The Best: This opened my eyes to a lot going on in the medical community and how in your hands physical well being really is.
The Worst: the look at a lot of issues from solely the point of view of medicine, such as data collection and pharmacological answers, it would have been nice to see him take a balanced approach to these issues. Also he ends the book saying statens could cure Ebola, with no studies to back it up… I feel like he could have left that comment out?
June 2, 2019
Developments in medical science and treatments made accessible and readable. I have to admit that I was two thirds of the way through this book and still looking for the writer to unveil his own personal magical elixir of sustained youthfulness, as hinted at by earlier encouragement of seeking out one's own best medical data.
To my great surprise and appreciation, no such magical elixir or formula for sustained longevity appeared. Instead, some critical thinking about what "studies show," the fallibility of nutrition information, and so forth. The recommendation, if any, is to gather data about the self and gather data about everything else, too, while keeping up with the basics of nutrition, rest, sex, and being social.
Works for me.
To my great surprise and appreciation, no such magical elixir or formula for sustained longevity appeared. Instead, some critical thinking about what "studies show," the fallibility of nutrition information, and so forth. The recommendation, if any, is to gather data about the self and gather data about everything else, too, while keeping up with the basics of nutrition, rest, sex, and being social.
Works for me.
November 13, 2019
I started this a few years back and picked it back up as I was recently making some health changes, losing weight, eating better, working out, etc. Agus presents plenty of Atypical Gobbledygook of Undetermined Significance. As a healthcare professional I’m dismayed by how our health is misunderstood and how often science is misrepresented, or downright wrong in 2019. All of which Agus plods on about. He presents an engaging argument that with the current usual proper medical care, and by taking care of ones health thru diet and exercise, and with a little good luck, it’s very likely for an individual to live to 100! I Just hope the money doesn’t run out and that I can keep my wits that long!
July 24, 2017
I wanted to giveaway this book but i'm so happy that I haven't. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who has no background in medicine and health and seeks to read a medical book written in a simplified form. Also, if I had to choose one word to describe this book, i'd choose the word "knowledge".
February 13, 2018
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. He has changed his mind about some things since his last book, leaving room for personal choice in some of his previous must-dos. He recognizes that there are compelling reasons to not do what he recommends sometimes. I respect and am pleased by his increased flexibility.
June 4, 2018
If you want to read about research or studies into this or that area of health, or read about how things should be in medical care, you may want to read this book. But if you want to know the secret to thriving in this brave new world of health, eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise. There, I've spoiled the punch line of this book.
June 15, 2018
This book was recommended by a friend and colleague just after I was diagnosed with lung cancer last week. Lots of interesting, relevant content, written in an approachable style. It dovetails really closely with another friend recommendation I’m reading called “Why we Sleep.”
July 31, 2019
How to maintain a healthy life style? I learn some tips and lessons from the book. We are indeed living in the lucky years equipped with data and science.
move + sleep + muscle builder + water + tracking your biological data,
move + sleep + muscle builder + water + tracking your biological data,
August 6, 2023
Dr. Agus has a wonderful conversational style of writing coupled with the ability to break down complex medical issues in ways that a layperson can understand. And his tips on how to capitalize on the “lucky years” are excellent pointers and should be easy to implement for the reader.
August 10, 2017
a great and informative read. the last part was the best!
December 16, 2017
Very good...good information...need to keep as a ref book
November 6, 2018
Enlightening and tantalizing! I fully appreciate the points being raised. I think the author has covered all grounds of modern health. Read it to have a better future-self.
November 14, 2018
Ok overall, did not really tell us how the future will help us in the present.
July 10, 2019
Very interesting book that provided valuable insight into lifestyle changes that everyone can employ to ensure a more prosperous future.
March 19, 2017
I finished this a while back, but, frankly, I've forgotten most of the details. The bottom line is that we are lucky to be growing old now as there are so many new disease treatments on the horizon. From my perspective, that is all well and good, but we have to have a decent quality of life AND money to make those years enjoyable. With the first of the baby boom entering retirement, seems like there are a lot of these books on the market now. The question is whether what is outlined is true reality or something akin to a fad diet.
March 6, 2017
Heavy content (yes) but no quackery (yea) and leaves you optimistic for the years ahead
January 6, 2020
Much of this book deals with recent and about to be available medical advances using genetics or technology. On the way there are little side stories, for instance the treatment they devised for Steve Jobs, that are quite interesting.
February 4, 2016
www.thenextgoodbook.com
The Lucky Years by David B. Agus, M.D.
238 pages
What’s it about?
David Agus is a physician who has written several books on health. His latest book, "The Lucky Years", makes the point that medically we are living in the luckiest time yet to be alive. He discusses the latest in science and technologies and how they will help you to customize your own health care in the near future. He also reiterates prevention; especially the importance of nutrition, sleep, and exercise in maintaining a healthy body.
What did it make me think about?
I came away thinking I should try to always eat between 7am and 7pm, move as much as possible, and always get a good night's sleep. I also am going to ask my Dr. about low dose aspirin, statins, and DNA testing. Lots to think about- including how fast new information changes what is being recommended.
Should I read it?
If you are interested in the future of health, or even in just your own future health, then this book is very interesting.
Quote-
"The explosion of medical information has far outstripped our ability to process it. This is why we need a new way to make personal health choices. After all, we have already entered the Lucky Years, and those of us who have the information to take action will only get luckier. I can't reiterate this enough: your right to pass into the Lucky Years is not predicated on wealth, personal resources, or social status. In the old world of medicine, only those who could afford the surgery and expensive, exclusive therapies to look younger could benefit. But now the game has changed. The Lucky Years don't discriminate based on money. They're a privilege of the prepared and knowledgable."
If you like this try-
Gut by Giulia Enders
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
The Lucky Years by David B. Agus, M.D.
238 pages
What’s it about?
David Agus is a physician who has written several books on health. His latest book, "The Lucky Years", makes the point that medically we are living in the luckiest time yet to be alive. He discusses the latest in science and technologies and how they will help you to customize your own health care in the near future. He also reiterates prevention; especially the importance of nutrition, sleep, and exercise in maintaining a healthy body.
What did it make me think about?
I came away thinking I should try to always eat between 7am and 7pm, move as much as possible, and always get a good night's sleep. I also am going to ask my Dr. about low dose aspirin, statins, and DNA testing. Lots to think about- including how fast new information changes what is being recommended.
Should I read it?
If you are interested in the future of health, or even in just your own future health, then this book is very interesting.
Quote-
"The explosion of medical information has far outstripped our ability to process it. This is why we need a new way to make personal health choices. After all, we have already entered the Lucky Years, and those of us who have the information to take action will only get luckier. I can't reiterate this enough: your right to pass into the Lucky Years is not predicated on wealth, personal resources, or social status. In the old world of medicine, only those who could afford the surgery and expensive, exclusive therapies to look younger could benefit. But now the game has changed. The Lucky Years don't discriminate based on money. They're a privilege of the prepared and knowledgable."
If you like this try-
Gut by Giulia Enders
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
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