Healthy at 100: The Scientifically Proven Secrets of the World's Healthiest and Longest-Lived Peoples

by John Robbins

Book Overview

Why do some people age in failing health and sadness, while others grow old with vitality and joy?

In this revolutionary book, bestselling author John Robbins presents us with a bold new paradigm of aging, showing us how we can increase not only our lifespan but also our health span. Through the example of four very different cultures that have the distinction of producing some of the world's healthiest, oldest people, Robbins reveals...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345490118
• ISBN13: 9780345490117
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Healthy At 100

The correct view of healthy living is elusive. One physician said, "When we all die and find out the truth, the thing we will be most embarrassed about is the diets we prescribed." Advice on new nutritional concepts sells magazines, but most of the ideas soon fall by the wayside in favor of the next fad. If only we knew what has worked in the long term. Well, it seems that "Healthy at 100" is most successful at answering that question. They are not trying a new idea, but merely reporting centuries old ideas that routinely work for four separate populations who are healthy and capable of reaching old age more often than any other group. These people basically do the same thing in these four different geographical areas and have the same excellent results. When people with similar genetics change their lifestyle to not following these guidelines, even if they stay in the same geographical area the result is poorer health, shorter life. This book takes a very wise approach to analyzing methods of reaching healthy longevity. The author recognizes that folks tend to exaggerate for the sake of fame and takes this into account trying to weed out the facts of the matter. It's well written, easy to understand and gives logical advice. I recommend it.

This book scores 100 out of 100

OVERALL: A must read for all homo sapiens who want to live a happy life, not just a healthy one. PROS: * Quite rational and measured. Robbins constantly tempers his enthusiasm for the four healthy cultures he examines. He refrains from idealizing them, which strengthens his argument. He doesn't gush over their way of life and points out their shortcomings (e.g., lack of refrigeration, dirt floors, poor telecommunications, etc...). * Adds two components that he didn't mention much in his previous books: exercise and love. He's always focused on diet, but now he spends more time talking about the importance of exercise and creating a loving community. * He's less dogmatic about being a vegan. He admits that the longest lived people in the world (the Okinawans) eat fish regularly. His concerns are now fish have more mercury than ever and that we've over-fished our waters. * Well researched and documented. As usual, Robbins cites his sources for those who want to dig deeper. He's professional. CON: His argument that the gaps between rich and poor is the predictor of a nation's health is weak. I would have liked to see more evidence of that. CONCLUSION: I love this book and recommend it to anyone. I've read 3 of his books and this is the best so far. It's balanced and persuasive. He's matured and become quite wise.

An excellent book

This book is required reading for all those who want to remain free of life style diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity, and add years to their lives. The book argues convincingly on the benefits of a vegetarian life style,and the eating habits of societies whose members live to be very old, without major disabilities. The book presents persuasive arguments on the dangers of the western diet which causes diseases of affluence. I highly recommend this book.

Healthy at 100

Excellent book, full of good facts and information, and suggestions for healthy living. Focuses mainly on nutrition and includes other lifestyle suggestions.

One of the most grounded, beautiful, rich and inspiring books on health I've ever read.

I laughed when I read the editorial review from Booklist, that begins with the words: "Robbins has moved on from his career as a successful ice-cream manufacturer..." Obviously, that reviewer hasn't actually read Healthy at 100. I have, however, and I am exceedingly grateful for all I've learned, and even more for the experiences I have had while reading, and as a result of reading, this extraordinary book. In the days since I finished it, I've felt uplifted in every cell of my body. I also shared it with an older friend, who read it. She then gathered her children, friends, and grandchildren around her so that we could talk together about aging. My friend spoke of what she is grateful for in my life, and all that she is looking forward to in her later years. We talked about our images of aging, where they come from, and whether or not they serve our optimum health potential. None of this would have happened without Robbins' fabulous new book. Prior to reading Healthy at 100, like most Americans I had adopted a pretty negative view of aging. But as a result of the exquisite blend of heartful wisdom and rational clarity in Robbins' superbly written book, I now have a positive and beautiful vision of what my wisdom years can entail, and the steps I can take not only to live long but to live well. He describes exactly the steps we can take not only to increase our life spans, but also to increase our health spans. I have read a great number of books on health and healing, on diet and exercise, and on the healing powers of love and positive attitudes. I've never read a book as full of truth, as deeply grounded in the joys and struggles of life, as real and authentic, as Healthy at 100. And I've never read a book ultimately as hopeful, as genuinely uplifting, as honoring of who we are and who we can be. Robbins has written many outstanding best-sellers before, but this may well be his best ever. If you want to read a mature writer at the culmination of his craft, get Healthy at 100. If you want to live a healthier life, more centered in your optimum health potential, and more in touch with what really gives you life, read this book. I am going to buy copies for everyone I know who is aging, and I don't mean just the older people in my life. As Robbins points out, aging doesn't begin at 65. We are all aging, every day, and this is the book for those who want to do it well, who want each stage of their life to be fulfilling, creative and vital. Dean Ornish calls this book "a masterpiece." Marianne Williamson calls Robbins "one of the most important voices in America today." I couldn't agree more.