Stop Aging, Start Living: The Revolutionary 2-Week pH Diet That Erases Wrinkles, Beautifies Skin, and Makes You Feel Fantastic

by Jeannette Graf, Alisa Bowman

Though other skin-care experts have identified free radicals and cellular inflammation as key triggers to the breakdown of healthy skin, renowned dermatologist and former National Institutes of Health fellow Jeannette Graf, M.D., has discovered a way to prevent these saboteurs from developing in the first place—rather than just treating the symptoms they’ve caused.

Based on the scientifically groundbreaking premise that our cells—and consequently our skin—can only function best when the pH balance of our body is at its proper level, Dr. Graf’s four-part plan focuses on changing your body’s ratio of acids to alkalines. Most of us tend to eat three acidic-building foods (like sugar, refined carbs, meat, and dairy) for every one alkalinizing food (dark green leafy vegetables, garlic, onions, olive oil, lemon, fruit, nuts and seeds, and whole grains)—the reverse of the ideal ratio. And while changing your diet is important, food is not the only way to shift this ratio or reverse the cell aging that’s affecting your skin. The plan also includes detailed information

• daily alkalinizing “cocktails”
• quality calcium-mineral supplements
• probiotic supplements (good bacteria in a bottle)
• how to assess your skin and care for it accordingly—choosing the right cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments that will give you the most noticeable results ( many of these products line the shelves of your local drugstore)
• the joy activities that can add exhilaration and laughter to your life and increase the neuropeptides in the brain that actually rejuvenate skin cells
• nutrients in foods that enhance cell energy production and cell signaling

But don’t just take her word for Stop Aging, Start Living is filled with testimonials from her patients. Whether you want to see results fast (with her twenty-four-hour kickstart plan), ease into it (with the two-week prescription), or just incorporate a few Stop Aging, Start Living strategies into your life as they suit you, you’ll come away looking and feeling incredibly younger.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

The science(?) that this is based on has now been debunked. The recipes are good as long as you know that nothing is going to alkalinize you. And also that nothing is going to "detoxify" you. And that organic labels are bullshit.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic skin care advise including using sun screen. I do like the whole body/lifestyle approach. Dr Graf advises drinking lots of water, but my dentist advises drinking PLAIN water. Do not add lemon as it is acidly.

[Darla · Rating 2 out of 5]

sales pitch

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the jury is still out on the whole "alkaline" thing, this is still a 4-star book. Why? It's a simple, sensible plan for living your life. That it happens to improve your skin's appearance is a nice side benefit.

In layman's language, Graf sets forth her plan that incorporates some medical knowledge (using retinols, keeping skin clean and eating fewer processed foods) and some more traditional or theoretical knowledge (moisturizing frequently, staying away from hot water to preserve skin, and taking various supplements.) She's savvy enough to tell you to use Botox/surgery when needed, but suggests these less-invasive lifestyle changes will make noticeable differences.

I enjoyed this book and have recommended it to friends who want to stave off signs of premature aging...it has not been long enough for me to say if I have changed my skin, but my attitude has improved!