Originally published December 14 2005
Knopf releases new book on aging from integrative medicine expert
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Seattle Times reviews a new book from Dr. Andrew Weil entitled "Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being."
Already a best-seller, the book taps into the need for information and advice --- and reassurance.
Weil begins with the science of aging, and proceeds to offer advice about the best way to do it well.
Readers will be reassured by his suggestions; they all seem doable: everything in moderation, an anti-inflammatory diet with as many plant-derived foods as possible and carefully chosen proteins, supplements for extra insurance, exercise, proper rest and a continued connection with other human beings.
Now common sense strikes people as novel," Weil said, speaking by cellphone from an airport between flights during a hectic book tour, where crowds of 1,000 to 1,200 people throng town-hall-style meetings to see Weil.
Weil's day job --- and passion --- is as director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.
I think as our health-care crisis deepens that the wisdom of this approach will become more and more apparent.
What Weil's talking about in "Healthy Aging" is nothing less than a paradigm shift --- away from focusing on anti-aging life extension, changing the emphasis to aging gracefully.
Beware of those who come bearing Botox, or making claims for a fountain of youth.
"People fear the loss of independence, the loss of purpose in life, but the big fear is that of illness," he said.
"The fundamental practical question is: Is the aging process synonymous with age-related diseases?
Growing old is not necessarily growing sick.
A case in point is Weil's mother, Jenny, who fell and broke her pelvis at 88; like many older people, she became reluctant to go out on her own after that.
Jenny continued to travel for several years, suffering a rather precipitous decline during the end of her life.
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