AlanHarmon.net

I tend to get dramatic. Harmon's do. That is just the way it is. Last year I went to the Sourdough Festival, and it changed my life. As a result, with help from two books by Jason Fung (The Obesity Code, and the Complete Guide to Fasting), what I eat and when I eat will forever be changed. Unfortunately (just kidding) I just am about done with Outlive, and I think this is the straw that broke the camels back. He has me convinced that I need to make some more changes in my life.

I Don't Think I Want To Live to be 100 Years Old

My wife and I have consistently said that we don't want to live to a ripe old age. If we hit 80, maybe that would be enough. Now when we are 79, or 75, that might change, but we know where we are going to do after we die, and we are happy to get there a bit early if it works out that way. But however old we are blessed to be, we want to be healthy for as much of that time as possible. I saw my father sufferer with Parkinsons Disease, with Lewy Body Dimentia, and we are now watching my wife's mother suffer for about 3 years of Dimentia so far, and counting.... We want to life our life, and be healthy as close to 100% of that time. My recent learning on health, nutrition, and now fitness will hopefully get me there!

HEALTHSPAN

The term I think I heard for the first time with this book is healthspan. I love this term and have been talking about this concept for about 11 months now, after listening to Dr. Kevin Ham's lecture at the Sour Dough Festival. Here is some information on Healthspan:

The term "healthspan" refers to the period of one's life that is spent in good health, free from the chronic diseases and disabilities of aging. This concept emphasizes not just the length of life (lifespan), but the quality of life during those years. Healthspan focuses on the idea of extending the years of healthy, active, and productive living, rather than merely prolonging life irrespective of its quality.

In the context of aging and medicine, healthspan is an important measure as it considers how long people can maintain a good quality of life with physical, mental, and social well-being. The goal is to reduce the time and severity of illness and disability typically associated with old age.

This is a shift from the traditional focus on lifespan, which is simply the length of time a person lives. The distinction is crucial because it's possible for someone to have a long lifespan but a short healthspan, meaning they may live many years with poor health or disability. The ideal is to maximize both lifespan and healthspan, ensuring that as people live longer, they also remain healthy and active.

Summary of Outlive, by Peter Attia

"Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" presents a comprehensive approach to enhancing longevity and quality of life. This book, acclaimed as a New York Times bestseller, offers a well-rounded perspective on aging and chronic diseases, emphasizing the need for a proactive, personalized approach to health and longevity.

Dr. Attia challenges the conventional medical approach that often focuses on treating symptoms and diseases too late in their progression, thereby extending lifespan without necessarily improving the quality of life. His approach in "Outlive" is to shift this paradigm towards a more personalized and proactive strategy.

The book is rich in scientific insights and practical advice, addressing various aspects of health and wellness. Some key areas Dr. Attia delves into include:

Nutritional Interventions
The book discusses the importance of understanding nutritional biochemistry over following generic diets. It emphasizes personalizing your eating patterns based on technology and data.

Exercise as a Pro-longevity Tool
Exercise is described as a potent factor in promoting longevity. Dr. Attia introduces the concept of training for what he calls the “Centenarian Decathlon,” focusing on exercises that burn body fats and sugar efficiently.

Mental and Emotional Health
The book also highlights the crucial role of mental and emotional health in overall well-being and longevity. It advocates for addressing these aspects as part of a comprehensive health strategy.

Understanding Health Risks
Dr. Attia sheds light on common but often underdiagnosed conditions and risk factors, like certain liver conditions, that could precede chronic diseases of aging. He also questions the efficacy of standard health metrics like the cholesterol test in truly assessing health risks.

The book is not just a guide on what to do but also aims to educate readers on how to think about long-term health, encouraging them to actively participate in their health journey.

"Outlive" has been recognized for its scientific foundation and practical approach to extending lifespan while also improving physical, cognitive, and emotional health. It's seen as a pivotal work for anyone looking to make informed choices about their health and longevity