Chasing Life: New Discoveries in the Search for Immortality to Help You Age Less Today

by Sanjay Gupta

For centuries, adventurers and scientists have believed that not only could we delay death but that "practical immortality" was within our reach. Today, many well-respected researchers would be inclined to agree. In a book that is not about anti-aging, but about functional aging--extending your healthy, active life--Dr. Sanjay Gupta blends together compelling stories of the most up-to-date scientific breakthroughs from around the world, with cutting-edge research and advice on achieving practical immortality in this lifetime. Gupta's advice is often longevity is not about eating well, but about eating less; nutritional supplements are a waste of your money; eating chocolate and drinking coffee can make you healthier. CHASING LIFE tells the stories behind the breakthroughs while also revealing the practical steps readers can take to help extend youth and life far longer than ever thought possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Science, Self Help, Audiobook, Medicine, Medical

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database
Sanjay Gupta is an American physician and a contributing CNN chief health correspondent based in Atlanta, Georgia. An assistant professor of neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine and associate chief of the neurosurgery service at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, he is also a frequent guest on the news program Anderson Cooper 360°. "Charity Hospital" won a 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Story in a Regularly Scheduled Newscast. From 1997 to 1998, he served as one of fifteen White House Fellows, primarily as an advisor to Hillary Clinton. Gupta currently publishes a column in TIME magazine. He is also host of House Call with Dr Sanjay Gupta. His book Chasing Life was a New York Times and National bestseller. As of January 2009, he has been offered the position of Surgeon General of the United States in the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama; the final vetting is currently under way.

Reviews

[Motez Bishara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read this recently nearly 10 years after my first flick through it. This time I took notes throughout, because really, you'll forget a lot of the tips otherwise.

Hugely worth reading, but probably needs an updated version now. Here are my notes in case anyone wants to just get the bullet points of what helps their longevity without going through all the background:


Chapter 2:
Eat until you are 80% full, not 100%
Choose food with higher water content (fruits / veg etc); that lets you increase the volume of what you eat while lowering the calories
Vitamin E is found in avocado, nuts (peanuts, almonds), and sunflower and safflower oil, and a bit in olive oil. Vitamin E protects cells from ‘free radicals’ which cause damaging oxidation in the body’s cells – which causes aging. Also prevents Parkinson’s disease

Vitamin D --- those with dark skin (like me) produce less vitamin D (‘most of us need 5-6 x the amount of vitamin d we are getting’) – this is required for the nervous system. Spend enough time in the sun or get a supplement.

Ch 3
There is a special enzyme produced by the body called superoxide dismutase (SOD) which eliminate 99% of the free radicals in the body.
There are about 40 plants – mostly used in traditional medicine in india and china – that induce the body to produce more SOD and catalase. Supplements include:
Green tea
Turmeric
Milk thistle
Ashwaganda or ashwagandha
Bacopa

Most supplements including Echinacea and gingko biloba are useless
Adding HGH artificially will likely do more harm than good
Unlikely elixirs:
A little dark chocolate can prevent heart attack and stroke
Red wine, green tea and black tea, lower cancer risk
brewed coffee (American style) has anti oxidant properties but not unfiltered coffee
garlic is good for cholesterol reduction and stroke prevention (small but statiscially significant) but suggested to allow crushed or chopped garlic to sit for 10 minutes before cooking to get the benefits

Chapter 4
Bench presses open lung capacity

Chapter 6
P133 – cooking meat at very high temperatures produces carcinogenic chemicals
For BBQs: Use even heat at low temperatures
Don’t press on meat into BBQ because fat will burn into the fire and produce more harmful chemicals
Artificial sweeteners (like in diet coke) are OK in moderation

P144
Get tested beginning at 50 for colon and rectal cancer
Annual physical and dental exam (for cancer of the mouth)
Keeping stress down helps anti-ageing

Chapter 7
P158
ECBT is new (at the time of writing) non-invasive test for heart disease
A simple Blood test (for $15) checks CRP levels – this checks the inflammation which is associated with heart problems

P160 sleeping well makes it easier to burn fat

Chapter 9
P213 Longevity is linked to high levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and low levels of LDL (bad cholesterol)
High levels of HDL are linked to mental ability at old age

[Lacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm disappointed in this book, as it offered very little new information. I guess if you are new to a healthy life (and like a bunch of study statistics) then it might be a good fit. My biggest problem was the casual dismissal of the problems hormones and GMOs in our food causes. His only real argument was the FDA said it was okay--not reassuring when some of the FDA are in bed with Monsanto. This book seemed more about selling a book than really doing anything useful.

[Ice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers seeking the key to everlasting life will find some clues in neurosurgeon Gupta's survey of the latest research on longevity. Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent, touches on recent breakthroughs as he offers some basic guidelines for adding years to what he and other aging experts call "health span." The goal, Gupta says, is not merely to live longer. To help readers live longer and better, he boils down conflicting health advice and makes some surprising prescriptions. For example, it is not what you eat, but how much you eat that affects longevity; vitamin supplements may be a waste of time and money; and a little upper-body strengthening is far more effective than an hour on a StairMaster.

To support this advice, Gupta relates the experiences of a 103-year-old woman from Okinawa; a former executive who began training at age 86 and is a record-breaking sprinter at age 92; and others who are aging well by staying active, eating wisely, being positive and maintaining strong social networks. While stem cell injections, nanotechnology, cryonics and other possible therapies are on the horizon, Gupta tells readers that extending life today is as easy as eating less, moving more and exercising the brain.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't about "helping you age less" but about helping you live optimally by changing some of your habits. I think the title is somewhat of a turn-off. Actually, I was pleasantly surprised by the book: it wasn't glib or breezy, it didn't prophesy doom, it wasn't oversimplified nor was it heavily research-oriented. In fact, I'd say Sanjay Gupta got it just right. He manages to review and add to what we already know on eating, supplements, exercise, the brain, cancer, heart health, attitude, outlook and stress and new technologies. In the end, I didn't feel preached to, lectured to, or scared into anything---I felt that I had been given reasonable information and advice that was doable. Is there anything this guy can't do well? (Assuming he wrote the book himself...)

[Vani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here's the core message of this book:

1) Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, legumes, fish, and poultry
2) Exercise (upper body resistance training and aerobics)
3) Supplements may not be as useful as conventional wisdom dictates
4) Maintain a positive attitude towards life

Summary: While medical advances could make us immortal someday, there are plenty of methods available now that could help us lead healthy, fulfilling lives today.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

copyright 2007 - quite a bit of the information is outdated.

Information re vitamin/mineral supplements suggested they might not be beneficial, but later in the book it was mentioned how they should be taken under certain circumstances.

Lots has been done re cancer, Alzheimer disease, and aging.

BUT: info re foods, exercise, meditation, relationships/socializing are still very relevant.

I skimmed through much of the "old" info.

[AngiJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good reminder to choose a healthy diet and to exercise. And Gupta also explained the benefits of maintaining your mental health by staying active in old age and he suggests other ways to do it. By this time a lot of the information is well-known (I read this 16 years after it was written in 2007). And I wonder if the so called "myths" debunked in the book by now have actually proven to be true given advancements in research and science. It's interesting to think at the time that it was written, he seems quite optimistic about the notion of regrowing human organs for the purpose of achieving immortality.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s chasing life is an optimistic and encouraging read about the steps you can take to improve your health and life. He runs through common sense, but often ignored, strategies for longevity and what he calls “practical immortality.” Or, at least just a better life experience while we’re here on Earth.

I enjoyed this book, especially after his much more sober “Cheating Death.” It’s reinforced some healthy habits and my reading it comes at a good time—the first of the year. It’s an easy read and enjoyable, but probably not one I would reread.

[Sara Tobin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My biggest critique is that Dr. Gupta doesn't address the health benefits of eating a completely whole foods, plant based diet though he alludes to Dr. Campbell's The China Study; no doubt that a diet such as this would allow one to chase life and live a long, healthy existence. I did appreciate how accessible the book is, however, for those with lacking medical knowledge. I'll be handing this one around to friends and family for that reason.

[Jeff Mines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Dr Gupta at a learning conference where he did a keynote. He’s a very captivating and good speaker so I bought his book at the book signing later that day. Now that I’m 65, I welcome any professional advice to keep me healthy and active. Dr Gupta’s book is just that. Every reader should find something between these covers that can help them live life better. It’s worth the low price. It’s not a deeply technical read so you won’t be put to sleep with a lot of medical terms and theories.

[Yvonne Blackwood]

I purchased and read this book some time ago but seemed to have forgotten to rate it. It is an informative book, and Dr. Gupta researched it well. Although published in 2007, much of the information is still relevant. In fact, the information about dementia is more relevant today, more than ever as this disease ravishes more and more seniors. His insight and discoveries are helpful, and I learned a lot from the book. A good read.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to it as an audiobook and found it very informative. I was already aware of many of the things he discussed but did learn a few new things. I will listen to it again before I return it to the library. Only about 3 hours long so it was a fast read (listen). It is health related. I will check out a few others of his books.

[Alexis Barrera oranday]

Es un libro de divulgación sobre Medicina preventiva.
Habla mucho de suplementos y hierbas, y eso en lo personal opino que no tiene mucho sustento científico.
Está un poco desactualizado. El capítulo sobre el futuro está muy interesante.
Pero en general sí lo recomendaría a mis pacientes. Sin duda.

[JZ NJ]

Love Dr Gupta’s CNN series, Chasing Life and assumed this book was a tie in to that series. This boos is filled with helpful health tips, but published in 2007, and I know there is updated research on some of his topics, hence no rating for this book
, but again love Dr Gupta’s current CNN program

[Shannon Fields · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. I enjoy Sanjay Gupta’s reporting on tv and I find him to be a trustworthy, reliable source of information.

My only criticism of this book isn’t really a criticism. It’s just the observation that it was written in 2007 and could really use an updated version.

[M L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource book. Actually, it goes into a lot of medical research and science. I skimmed some of it, highlighting the information that is helpful to me. I have no interest in searching for immortality. I want to live the life I have left with joy and health.

[Jaellayna Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas - but not as remarkable in 2023 (when I read the book) as in 2007 (when the book was written). Some of the ideas and strategies explored in it I will now research elsewhere to advance my own learning. If Gupta were to update this book, I would definitely buy it.

[Mitesh Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It certainly has authoritative information one needs to chase life. For me, I have read all of the things in other books and hence I didn’t find this book adding value. It certainly reinforced and reminded me to keep doing more of what I have been doing

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

Lot of value added research and facts to benefit us all. While loaded with scientific detail it was easy to read

[Jenny Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a ton of notes
Curious 10 years later what advances have we made

[Joshua Sawyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems that if you read one of his books, you’ve read them all. I’ve got one more to go, but this one didn’t add anything to my knowledge bank.

[Nadia Shobnam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but important read

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and nothing new that I had hoped to find in this book. Need I say more?

[Suzanne Stauffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing new but a lot of great reminders for healthy living.

[Victor Toma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book today but better options so 3 stars, to be fair in the book's launch year must to been cutting edge.

[Tina Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Sanjay Gupta. But it's important to remember that he is a scientist, physician, and surgeon, not a television entertainer. That said, this book pack a lot of the latest scientific research into aging and it reads like a litany of clinical trial results. It doesn't promise anything more and except for an occasional humorous phrase, doesn't deliver more. And why should it? It's a book of information, not a feel-good tome. I deducted a star only because the information (like all scientific information) is now inevitably outdated and replaced with research results that didn't appear at the time Dr. Gupta wrote this book.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

out dated.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Sanjay Gupta's writing style in his two pop-medical books, although I think his other book, Cheating Death, was the more engrossing of the two. This book did have its share of fascinating facts. I especially enjoyed the sections on the future of life preserving medicine. Seriously, much of the current medical research in this field sounds like science fiction (i.e. the ability to regrow organs and limbs, nanobots circulating through our bloodstream reversing the aging process, bringing frozen heads back to life).

What this book ultimately boils down to, however, is advice we have all heard before. If we want to give ourselves as long and healthy of a life as possible, we need to exercise, eat our fruits and veggies, and reduce our stress level. Of course, Gupta goes into much more depth than that and I did learn several new things. For instance, in an attempt to lengthen my life I am trying to adopt his researched advice to eat only until I am 80 percent full. Hara hachi bu.

[Aditi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up as a related recommendation to Sandeep Jauhar's "Heart" on hoopla.

While I enjoyed learning random things like the Baker/baker experiment, or about the 80 year old who started running and won silver medal at the senior olympics (making the point that it is never too late to start running :) ), it became a bit repetitive with list of foods that appear in different sections of the book, for preventing whatever disease that section is describing, such as heart disease, alzheimer's, diabetes, etc. Perhaps a table at the end of the book would have sufficed.

I remember there was some more interesting information in it, but surprise, surprise: I seem to only remember the food-lists! Perhaps that was intentional - to make people eat healthy.

[Curt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sanjay Gupta talks about his exploration of the current science of extending quality-of-life expectancy, called Healthspan. Some things were only a surprise in their magnitude - like weight. Other things were interesting to read about the justification and validity, like red wine and chocolate. Of course the need to continue learning as a way of preventing Alzheimer's and dementia is probably not a problem for people who would use this site. Hopefully medical science advances will continue, teaching us how to extend our Healthspan, not just our Lifespan.