For a long and healthy life, diet and regular exercise are a better bet than trendy supplements and expensive longevity clinics

See ‘Super Agers’ Review: Living the Good Life by David A. Shaywitz.  He reviewed the book Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity by Dr. Eric Topol. Dr. Shaywitz is a lecturer at Harvard Medical School and an adjunct fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Excerpts:

"Compared with their peers, the disease-free subjects were generally thinner, exercised more frequently and seemed “remarkably upbeat,” often with rich social lives."

"“Nothing surpasses regular exercise for promotion of healthy aging,” Dr. Topol writes, calling it “the single most effective medical intervention that we know.” If you came up with a drug that delivered all the health benefits of exercise, he says, “it would be considered a miracle breakthrough.”"

"Healthy eating and a good night’s sleep are also crucial. While the “evidence remains thin for what constitutes the best healthy diet,” Dr. Topol writes, we have a better sense of what it doesn’t contain: ultraprocessed foods (like hot dogs and snack cakes) that induce systemic inflammation and increase your risks for developing all the major age-related diseases."

"spending time in nature can bring “diverse health benefits” and that music, optimism, hobbies and human touch all promote healthy aging."

"there’s “little or no hard evidence for the benefit of taking any vitamins or supplements, especially in those who are following a healthy diet.” This includes nootropic supplements purported to improve learning and memory."

"Dr. Topol is critical of the indiscriminate use of whole-body MRI scans and other comprehensive diagnostic tests marketed to the “curious affluent.”"

"He’s not enthusiastic about companies that market tests of “biological age,” a composite estimate of bodily aging (based on molecular markers) that he believes offers little actionable insight for patients."

See also A Doctor’s Science-Backed Formula for Aging Better: Dr. Eric Topol’s longevity work revealed simple and practical steps to stay healthy. He shares the tips that he follows by Amy Dockser Marcus of The WSJ.

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