| Alternative Therapies |
| Life Sciences |
| Gerontology |
| Self-help |
| Anatomy & Physiology |
| Aging |
| Health & Fitness |
| Science |
| Social Science |
Summary
Summary
From acclaimed journalist Bill Gifford comes a roaring journey into the world of anti-aging science in search of answers to a universal obsession: what can be done about getting old?
Spring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (or Die Trying)
Spring Chicken is a full-throttle, high-energy ride through the latest research, popular mythology, and ancient wisdom on mankind's oldest obsession: How can we live longer? And better? In his funny, self-deprecating voice, veteran reporter Bill Gifford takes readers on a fascinating journey through the science of aging, from the obvious signs like wrinkles and baldness right down into the innermost workings of cells. We visit cutting-edge labs where scientists are working to "hack" the aging process, like purging "senescent" cells from mice to reverse the effects of aging. He'll reveal why some people live past 100 without even trying, what has happened with resveratrol, the "red wine pill" that made headlines a few years ago, how your fat tissue is trying to kill you, and how it's possible to unlock longevity-promoting pathways that are programmed into our very genes. Gifford separates the wheat from the chaff as he exposes hoaxes and scams foisted upon an aging society, and arms readers with the best possible advice on what to do, what not to do, and what life-changing treatments may be right around the corner.
An intoxicating mixture of deep reporting, fascinating science, and prescriptive takeaway, Spring Chicken will reveal the extraordinary breakthroughs that may yet bring us eternal youth, while exposing dangerous deceptions that prey on the innocent and ignorant.
Author Notes
Bill Gifford is a contributing editor for Outside magazine and has written on science, sports, and fitness for numerous publications including Wired, Businessweek, Men's Health, Men's Journal, Slate, and The New Republic. He has been features editor of Men's Journal and executive editor of Philadelphia magazine. He is the author of several books including Ledyard: In Search of the First American Explorer, Catholic Worker Daze, and Spring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (or Die Trying).
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Gifford, a correspondent for Outside magazine, confronts mortality and the ways in which people try to escape it, in this engaging study. "I wanted to know everything about aging, this universal but still little-understood process," he states. To this end, Gifford interviews a wide range of sources, from respected scientists to the fringe figures involved with hormone therapies, radical diets, and herbal supplements. He uncovers surprising facts along the way, such as how the lifespans of naked mole rats defy expectations, or that the Laron little people of Ecuador don't get cancer. Though he doesn't skimp on the relevant science, the tone remains accessible, even humorous, as Gifford threads his own personal journey and experiences together. Some tangents seem a little far afield, like a discussion of an ill-fated experiment involving the enclosed artificial ecosystem Biosphere 2 in the early 1990s, yet everything ties back to the central question: why do some people fade away early, but a select few stay vital well past the century mark? Gifford does acknowledge that there is no cure for aging, but his core message-"Use it or lose it"-is a common-sense piece of advice anyone can find useful. Agent: Larry Weissman and Sascha Alper, Larry Weissman Literary. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Long before Ponce de Leon made his famous trip to Florida in search of the fabled fountain of youth, human beings have been seeking ways to extend their lives beyond their allotted threescore and ten. Yet only now, in the twenty-first century, with recent breakthroughs in gene tweaking and stem-cell harvesting, does it appear that science might actually be verging on the means to halt aging altogether. At least, that's the verdict according to seasoned journalist and author Gifford (Ledyard, 2007), who covers the full spectrum here of antiaging techniques, from the scams foisted on gullible seniors to the most promising results from cell-biology research. In chapters such as Yours Sincerely, Wasting Away and Pole Vaulting into Eternity, Gifford explores rejuvenation practices such as calorie restriction and high-speed workouts and takes a closer look at such best-selling nostrums as resveratrol and turmeric. Along with his ability to explain complicated topics in plain English, Gifford's wit and keen eye for interesting details will endear his work to both aging baby boomers and anyone who appreciates top-notch popular-science writing.--Hays, Carl Copyright 2015 Booklist
Library Journal Review
We are living longer, and some people would like to halt or reverse the aging process. Health, fitness, and science reporter Gifford (former executive editor, Philadelphia magazine; former features editor, Men's Health) takes readers on a journey through current research about aging. He begins with a look at the aging process, pondering why some people age more quickly than others. He also considers the cell, the basic unit of life, noting that it is programmed to age and die. The body's organs age and become less efficient as well. Quality nutrition and exercise help to maintain efficient body function and reduce health problems, but most of the antiaging treatments touted as cures do not work. Gifford notes research on Resveratrol, the "red wine pill," which turns out to be useless even though moderate consumption of red wine has positive effects on cardiovascular health. VERDICT Gifford's entertaining and informative book will give readers sound advice and inform them about current aging research.-Barbara Bibel, formerly Oakland P.L. (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.