The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow

by Michael F. Roizen, Peter Linneman, Albert Ratner

Over the next decade, people living to 100, 120, or even 130 years old will become increasingly common--and life past 100 may not look like what you expect. In this groundbreaking narrative, best-selling author Michael Roizen reveals how current science and technology will revolutionize our ability to live longer, younger, and better.
Today's breakthroughs in longevity research are unprecedented, and this book will help you navigate the coming changes to make the best decisions for your brain, your body, and your bank account. Along with acclaimed economists Peter Linneman and Albert Ratner, Roizen explores how longer life spans will change our lives and our culture, providing the most comprehensive and forward-looking book on aging to date, and showing readers how to prepare for the next major societal disruptor. At long last, here is a road map to prevention, treatment, and technology that will reshape how we think about old age--and help us plan for an audacious future.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Science, Personal Development

320 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2022

About the author

Michael F. Roizen, MD

Reviews

[Margo · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book describes some of the medical breakthroughs that are expected to increase your lifespan, if you make lifestyle choices that will allow you to capitalize on the advances. However, most of the medical advances will not be, or will never be, available to the average Joe, in spite of how he makes it sound. He addresses your fears about not having enough money for an extended lifespan by trying to convince you that you'll never retire. Instead you’ll just cycle through different careers because you’ll be happy to do that when your longevity is increased (and frankly because you’ll need to make more money to live) and as he points out...you working longer is good for GDP. He also tries to convince you to work longer than you are planning to now...because you need to be ready for the reboot. The author clearly believes in lifetime work, though he does throw a couple of « and you’ll have more time with your family » bones. He does talk about financial planning…but all the normal advice, which barely gets you through now. However it's the glee he expresses about the forever work prospect that I found nothing short of horrifying. The book honestly just felt like a justified prelude to the concept of the matrix. The fact that he works with the renown Cleveland Clinic and has influence in healthcare policy at the national level is further nerve wracking because i'm sure his "lifetime work" (cross reference "slavery") bias is playing well to folks that can find ways to make that happen. As far as helping you get ready for this new future, the book offers all the same lifestyle advice as you've heard already (eat good, exercise, sleep good, ya da ya da), with maybe a few specifics on vitamins and supplements that might be new to you (but nothing ground breaking). Don't spend money on this...check it out from the library. Enjoy your life. If you've made decisions that allow you to retire, do it. Travel, do fun things, enjoy your family and friends now, heck do nothing if that is what you dream about. You only get one life. Don't let anyone, let alone this guy, convince you that your purpose on this earth is being an economic slave to others while you are here.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow
AUTHOR: Michael Roizen and Peter Linneman
PUB DATE: 09.13.2022 Now Available
REVIEW:

Do you want to live longer and healthier?

In the future, people are going to live longer - beyond the age 100 through cutting-edge science and technology.

Dr. Roizen, along with acclaimed economists Peter Linneman and Albert Ratner, writes about reengineering aging cells to DNA manipulation to bionic bodies. We as a society have to be ready to change our lives and our culture as we age and live longer, live a life of good health, with a youthful appearance, mental vigor, and have the financial stability to sustain longer lives.

As a professional in the medical world, I enjoyed reading this comprehensive book on aging and longevity.

[Curtis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for more information on how to live now in order to live longer. But most of the book was speculation about what would happen in the future that would extend life. I'm not a big fan of speculating on the future. Usually you're wrong.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some intriguing ideas, but clearly written by men, for men. Menopause--which might be relevant to the aging of half the population--doesn't even get an entry in the index...

[Healthypedia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Explore how science and technology are revolutionising human longevity, allowing us to live into our 110s and 130s.

In the coming years, it is anticipated that more individuals will reach the remarkable ages of 100, 120, or even 130 years, ushering in a new era of human longevity. However, this extended lifespan might not align with our conventional expectations of ageing.

In a trailblazing exploration of this phenomenon, acclaimed author Michael Roizen reveals how modern science and technology could revolutionise our ability to live longer, healthier lives. This review delves into Roizen’s book ‘The Great Age Reboot,’ exploring the exciting prospects and far-reaching consequences of this imminent age transformation.


Author’s background

Michael F. Roizen, MD, holds the position of Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, serves as the Chief Medical Consultant on The Dr. Oz Show, and is renowned as the author of four #1 New York Times bestselling books.

Dr. Roizen is a board-certified professional in anesthesiology and internal medicine, with a distinguished career that includes receiving accolades such as an Ellie, an Emmy, and the Paul G. Rogers Award from the National Library of Medicine, recognising him as an exceptional medical communicator. Furthermore, he has chaired an advisory committee for the FDA and has an impressive record of publishing over 175 peer-reviewed articles.


What is the book about?

‘The Great Age Reboot’ by Michael F. Roizen explores the remarkable advancements in modern medicine and science, which are leading humanity into a new era of extended and healthier lives. Dr. Roizen paints a vivid picture of how the world has rapidly evolved in the past century, with innovations like antibiotics, immuniіations, and cutting-edge surgical techniques, such as MRI-guided robotic surgery.

The central premise of the book revolves around the concept of the Great Age Reboot. Dr. Roizen predicts a near future marked by extraordinary scientific and intellectual breakthroughs that will revolutionise the way we age, live, and interact with our world. These transformative changes are expected to significantly extend human life expectancy, with projections suggesting that people over 40 today may have an average life expectancy of at least 108 by 2030. This shift represents an unprecedented 1,100 per cent increase in life expectancy gains over the last century.

Importantly, the book emphasises that this extended lifespan won’t equate to simply growing older but rather to enjoying more ‘prime-living’ years. The typical 95-year-old in the near future may exhibit the vitality and functionality of a 50-year-old today, provided they make favourable health and lifestyle choices.

Overall, ‘The Great Age Reboot’ encourages readers to embrace the incredible changes on the horizon, take steps to prepare for a longer and healthier future, and actively engage in shaping a society that embraces the concept of ‘young old.’


Three key takeaways from ‘The Great Age Reboot’

1. By reengineering ageing cells, human life expectancy may be extended

Michael F. Roizen explores the groundbreaking potential of senolytics, a cutting-edge medical approach that targets and eliminates ageing cells, known as senescent cells, to rejuvenate the body. Drawing parallels to a magical elixir that restores youth, Roizen describes how scientists have been working on using senolytics to slow down ageing processes and mitigate age-related diseases. Promising experiments, such as the injection of senolytics into arthritic knees, have shown remarkable results in reducing pain and inflammation, challenging the notion that certain conditions are inevitable consequences of ageing.

Moreover, senolytics hold the promise of not only improving joint health but also potentially rejuvenating other organs and systems, including the heart, brain, and eyes. These interventions may enable individuals to extend their youthful vitality and overall health, ultimately reshaping our understanding of ageing and its associated challenges. While challenges remain, including considerations regarding cancer and autophagy, the potential for senolytics to revolutionise the way we age is both exciting and promising, offering the hope of a healthier and more youthful future.

2. Age-related damage has the potential to be reversed with the use of epigenetic rejuvenation

In ‘Your DNA Destiny, Edited,’ Michael F. Roizen delves into the fascinating realm of genetic engineering and epigenetic rejuvenation. The chapter emphasises that while our genetics play a role in our health, epigenetic switches can control which genes are active or dormant, allowing us to influence our genetic destiny through lifestyle choices. The introduction of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, likened to biological scissors, holds the promise of addressing genetic defects and diseases, potentially opening the door to treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s and cancer.

Moreover, the concept of rebooting or resetting epigenes to their youthful state offers the prospect of extending our vitality and reversing age-related damage. Scientists have made remarkable progress in reprogramming genes in animals, raising hopes that similar advancements could be applied to humans.

Ultimately, Roizen highlights the evolving understanding of genes and their malleability, paving the way for a future where individuals have the power to edit their genetic code, influence gene expression, and rewrite their genetic destiny. As society grapples with ethical questions surrounding gene manipulation, the potential for healthier, more vibrant, and longer lives through genetic engineering remains a tempting frontier in the quest for longevity.

3. You have the ability to optimise your health and raise your chances of longevity via healthy lifestyle choices

Aside from presenting fascinating methods of cellular reprogramming, the author also emphasises the importance of shaping our responses to life’s challenges, concentrating on ‘self-engineering’ the brain, heart, and immune system for a longer life.

The book highlights the crucial role of a strong circulatory system and effective stress management. Stress reduction activities are shown to have significant benefits, improving markers for heart disease and brain-related issues. Exercise is lauded as a potent tool for enhancing both brain and heart function, with detailed guidance provided on beneficial workout routines. Dietary choices, particularly a Mediterranean-style diet, are emphasised to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia while cautioning against inflammation-inducing ingredients like added sugars and saturated fats.

The book’s second major focus centres on immune system self-engineering, vital for defence against aggressive diseases. It advocates for a diverse intake of micronutrients, protein-rich foods, and limiting added sugars and simple carbs. Vaccinations, supplementation, and stress management techniques are also highlighted as essential components of immune system optimisation.


Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths:
• Presents complex information in an understandable manner without delving too deeply into scientific jargon, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
• Offers a broad view of the topic, covering aspects of healthy lifestyle, medical advancements, and the financial and social dimensions of longevity, providing readers with a holistic understanding of the subject.
• Includes references to support its claims, demonstrating strong journalistic research and credibility in its content.
• Maintains an optimistic and pleasant tone throughout, fostering an encouraging and motivating reading experience.

Weaknesses:
• The book discusses medical breakthroughs that could extend lifespan but may not be accessible to the average person, creating potentially unrealistic expectations about the future of healthcare.
• While the book offers lifestyle advice, some readers felt that the guidance was not groundbreaking and echoed common recommendations about healthy eating, exercise, and sleep.


Best quotes from ‘The Great Age Reboot’

“Do not get hung up on the past. Your life is made up of the present and future, and your past helps you navigate.”

“The gene editing and the epigenetic on-and-off technologies are not perfect, but they are improving. About 10,000 diseases are caused by a single error in a single gene. In theory, we should be able to eliminate every one of them through gene editing. If you know the gene and the error, you can get rid of it.”

“There is, of course, a cloudier side of increased longevity. While the benefits of wise decisions grow, the costs of unwise decisions also grow. This dichotomy will create greater disparities in health, income, and wealth if we do not address it over time. The longer we live, the more the decisions we have made regarding our work, savings, and health compound the advantages and disadvantages we experience in our later years.”


Final takeaway

‘The Great Age Reboot’ by Michael F. Roizen provides an engaging journey into the groundbreaking strides made in science and medicine, set to revolutionise our perception of ageing and living longer. Dr. Roizen adeptly simplifies intricate ideas, avoiding excessive scientific language, and sustains an encouraging and inspiring tone throughout the book. Offering a comprehensive viewpoint encompassing facets of well-being, medical advancements, and the societal impact of extended lifespans, the book delivers a well-rounded comprehension of the subject matter.

This book is recommended for individuals who are interested in gaining insights into the potential future of ageing and want to learn how to prepare for a longer and healthier life.

[Joseph Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Mike Roizen was Dr. Oz’s coauthor on a series of wellness books before Dr. Oz became a TV personality. Dr. Roizen has two coauthors on this book, one a demographer to provide the big picture and the other an economist so you don’t outlive your money. He also turns over the section of the book on cosmetic appearance to a professor of surgery at Columbia University. His only other by-name endorsement is for a small pharmacy that will, for a hefty price I am sure, test each individual batch of pills that you order through them.

Dr. Mike, as he refers to himself in the book, is offering a subscription based web site that goes by the title of this book. Note the title on the cover illustration differs from the title as typed.

A couple things were mentioned that I found quite practical. One is that the three best (perhaps most effective or powerful) antioxidants are caffeinated black coffee, blueberries and NAC (N-Acetyl-Cysteine). Its not known yet if this applies to decaffeinated coffee. Filter out or at least avoid drinking the sludge in the bottom of the cup.

The other thing was the 81 mg aspirin. I always tried with the enteric coated kind and I would get heartburn. Dr. Mike emphasizes taking the chewable orange children’s aspirin. I did that and so far have experienced no GERD. This seems counterintuitive to me and Dr. Mike doesn’t explain it.

Overall Dr. Mike makes a plausible case for being optimistic that you can live to the age of one hundred or more if you play your cards right and get with the program. The younger you are when you start the more likely you are to succeed though. If you are well advanced in life as I consider myself to be you can at least tack on some extra years. Although Dr. Mike doesn’t mention it those extra years may be just enough so that you are still around to take advantage of the next inevitable breakthrough in the pipeline. But it means turning your back on the Western diet and exercising regularly or at least going for a daily walk.

[Antonietta tesfaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eating healthy, exercising, and mental stimulation will help expand your life. OK that's been said before. Then medical advancement is endless and hypothetical future where everything can be replace with other material. OK that's good and far-fetched but I'm in for it. This all can work towards a greater lifespan of humans and then the book goes into Helping looking younger by certain surgeries. Not so great about that but it did explain some very dangerous procedures. It rode the line of some diseases which are possibly on the cusp of cures but for someone like me, who is suffering from a genetic uncurable disease it's been said for over 30 years of my life span so far. And still no result. So that's a bit far fetch and Insulting for those of us who are suffering from a condition. But what really takes the cake is put money aside because you're going to live for such a long time and you're gonna need that monetary resource. Sounds great but not once has it been addressed to the fact that some people are working two three jobs to just make ends meet. There is no put 10% away for your retirement. Just oblivious to the condition of the other 99% of the people who are not seeing the astronomical surplus that these companies are giving to the board, CEO and shareholders. A bit out of touch.

[Kate McKinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book which claims to crack the longevity code, w/youth preserving hacks. Interesting but slightly far-fetched content for an average reader (ie; stem-cell therapy, gene editing & manipulation, radical cosmetic surgeries, etc.). Highly Conjectural. Sometimes gives the feeling more of science-fiction than science. Dangerously outlandish claims at times (ie; "Science is about to offer us the Garden of Eden"), which go too far over the top & tend to discredit the book. The content is compelling at times however & gains your attention. Another gripe is the same complaint that I have w/many health books: that it highlights the problems 1st & foremost, generating a feeling of morbid discouragement, before bringing you to any potential solutions. The 1st half of the book is more sociologically oriented w/an emphasis on demographics, governmental agency oversight & societal/financial considerations, around the potential for drastically advanced longevity & its impact from a cultural & population standpoint. I find the 2nd half of the book more useful, since it addresses specific personal practices which may enhance individual longevity. A good secondary reference.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is mostly a breathless, oh-isn't-it-wonderful summary of longevity for people who haven’t read, or don’t have the patience for a more science-oriented book.

It’s easy to skim the first few chapters if you’re already familiar with the potential.

The "how-to" section (Chapter 4) is admirably specific and a good summary of every age-related treatment you can think of (from supplements and surgery to wealth management). But many of his recommendations (e.g. baby aspirin, Vitamin D, metformin) have been questioned and even shown harmful under many recent studies.

Written during the COVID-19 pandemic, it tries to be up-to-date, and mostly succeeds, but you should read with your skepticism filter on high alert.

[Chandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fun, expansive yet not too deep overview of the longevity boom that is supposedly on the horizen. The point is to hone your lifestyle so that you are prepared to live to 120, or thereabouts. It's going to take time, money, and patience. It was oddly refreshing to see a section devoted to the cosmetics of aging, and to shoring up your finances to prepare for a longer lifetime. But....doesn't super-aging take a lot of financial resources and luck? This seems like less of a learning book, and more of just an overview.

[Charles Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

81%

It's interesting book who gives a good review over the details for being a newer release though from 2022 I would expect there to be more details in the book about some newer breakthroughs instead of going over the same stuff that we've been going over for several years now, if we're just going to be doing another review I don't think it's necessary to print another book.

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the reasons why I love when authors read their own audiobooks is because they actually sound interested in what they are saying. These guys, were adorable. You could quite literally hear how excited they were to talk about the book.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discovered this book after watching a YouTube lecture by Michael Roizen.

Most of the information I had read about but nice to see it confirmed.

Good read indeed

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely fascinating and good food for thought. You won’t regret reading this.

[Julia Hooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed a good lecture about taking care of my future self. Appreciated the MD approach too - very direct about what we gotta do and why we need to do it nowwwww ooofff

[Carrie LeAnne]

Thirty minutes in, and this book is very boring! Glad I didn't buy it.

[ASHaase · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most inspiring books I have ever read and plan to read again. To my children…. Don’t buy this as I have already purchased a copy for each of you!

[Jessica Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine if you will, in the not-so-distant future, genetic engineering will make breakthroughs that will allow people to live to near 150 years of age. Dr. Roizen and his colleagues take readers though a history of the average life spans over the past few generations and makes some pretty bold predictions on how aging may look very different in the near future, say around 2030. He provides guidance on lifestyle choices including food and nutrition, exercise, and finances to try to help people understand how this can be achievable, but also has the caveat that human beings don’t always make the best choices so it will end up being mostly personal on how you can achieve it.

Definitely an interesting concept to think about possibly not only living to 100 years of age but possibly to 150. The biggest question is how would the average person be able to pay for this possibility? The short answer is that medical care would essentially have to be socialized, be accepted (key concept), and then shift from reactive to proactive care to become affordable. Additionally, people will need to work much longer (till 90) to have enough money saved up in retirement to make it to 150 if they start in their early twenties. And since your life choices will make you a healthier, more productive human being, the overall productivity will increase across the county and the GDP will increase so that more tax can be collected, thereby increasing social security measures.

It was an interesting read that I will be watching over the next seven years to see how this might play out.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to be a bit of wishful thinking by the older male authors that take great value in work and don’t want to stop. While I am all for quality of life in later years, I am not sure it is a good idea to radically slow aging by artificial means and (over)crowd the planet. Not sure I love the idea of living extra decades, and then having to work extra decades to fuel the economy (i.e., med expenses, inflation, retirement benefits, etc).
I love the idea of living a healthy lifestyle to increase my quality of life as I am older, but don’t love the idea of gaming / rebooting my body by unnatural means (plastic surgery, tons of unproven supplements, injecting brown fat, etc) to live decades longer and look “younger”.
The basic health & wealth recommendations “to get ready for the reboot” are not earth shattering (Mediterranean diet, don’t smoke, sleep, exercise , etc) but they give some pretty good metrics to track yearly and take charge of one’s health & wealth.
That said this is a very interesting topic to think about…are we already gaming our bodies through vaccines, etc? How far should we go? DNA mods? STEM cell harvesting & injection? Brown fat injection? Expensive supplements that aren’t necessarily proven? Plastic surgery?

[Brian Heck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and thought provoking book on the future of health, aging, and economy, especially as it relates to a population with many more people over the age of 80.

The authors provide several practical approaches and practices to improve your chances at, not just a longer life, but a healthier life as you age.

One interesting component is the authors integration of the impact on the economy with a much older population. Essentially, their outlook is if we live an extra 20 to 30 years, retirement will be put off until 75 - 80.

I am not sure I want to spend another 20 to 25 years working after alreadyputting in over 32 years; however, if one truly loves what they do and maintains a passion for the work, why not go as long as possible.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book about healthy,vital aging reiterated some well understood truths . Get your sleep,eat less quanity and better quality food,exercise every day,take your vitamins ( including an interesting list of what they should include) and develop a strong, in-person socal network. Be grateful and get peaceful thru reflection, meditation, and prayer.SAVE lots all your life and keep working. There is a great deal of exuberant speculation concerning plastic surgery to ship shape droopy bodies and medical advances to vastly extend human lifetimes. All in all , this book is loaded with practical advice and jubilant hope for longer better living even as it felt somewhat science fiction fantastic.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Roizen offers up his version of what the medical future looks like. Kind of scary because he predicts the 25 year olds of today can live to 125. Of course this also comes with the caveat that you are eating right and taking care of yourself. He outlines his reasoning with all the medical advances that are being made now: stem cells, autophagy, senolytics, gene editing and more. Good descriptions of what the future might look like. 3D printer organs anyone? Also info (giving reasons why) on what you should be doing now to prepare for longevity.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Roizen’s new book, we are told that living to 100 or 120 years will become a common occurrence and that cutting-edge science and technology will revolutionize our lives as we live longer and healthier. I did not necessarily find anything mind-boggling or out of my realm of believability. I liked the suggestions for living with better health, exercise, controlling stress, etc. Nothing earth shattering here but worth a read.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book with lots of predictions about where modern medicine is headed. It also has many good suggestions for a proactive lifestyle that can lead to an active and rewarding senior age range. He also speaks to wise fiscal planning and stress reduction .
I don’t know how realistic it would be to incorporate all of the ideas set forth, but there were enough aha moments to make it a worthwhile read.

[Annie Pisarello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book talks about the future of longevity. I wanted to learn about the research going on in stem cells, and this book was helpful. It is written for lay people, so is easy to understand. A lot of it is basic health advice we already know, but I did pick up some useful tips. It was an informative read, told in simple language.

[Ricardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Latest research and expectations about the science of longevity. Some of the most dramatic medical advances in the field are still years away. For now, what we can do is what we already know: eat healthy, sleep well, exercise daily and manage stress.

[Ramesh Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book to read

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided the science behind his suggestions. Many ideas for daily living to promote longevity.

[C Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book because none of the information was new.

[Kareninfolsom · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writers make a lot of assumptions that I don't buy into.