RealAge: Are You as Young as You Can Be?

He's compiled a list of 100 health-related factors, among them tobacco and alcohol use, diet, prescription and over-the-counter drug use, your parents' health, even pet ownership and the highest educational level completed by your spouse, and worked all these into a quiz to determine your "real age." If you've taken your health for granted, be prepared for a shock. He then explains how to follow a personalized age-reduction plan using a range of methods, from quick fixes (use a helmet while bicycling), to moderately easy changes (avoid sun and radon exposure), all the way to the most difficult changes (reduce the stress in your life). Emotional issues are given as much attention as physical ones; Roizen says, for example, that seeing a psychologist to help work through serious personal problems can reduce your chronological age by 8 to 16 years alone.

RealAge may appeal to Fountain of Youth seekers, but will be especially useful for folks who are out of shape and too overwhelmed to start a fitness plan, and for those who are understandably confused by the wealth of contradictory health reports in the news. Dr. Roizen has done an excellent job of organizing and explaining essential health information, from defining health concepts such as blood pressure (and explaining how to lower it) to distilling facts about diet, supplements, and herbs. Far from faddish, RealAge clearly presents only advice that's been proven effective in clinical trials. This is preventive medicine at its best. --Erica Jorgensen

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Readers Respond To RealAge

"After taking the RealAge quiz, I discovered that I am three years younger than my chronological age. Since then, I have made some life changes. I am eating better, exercising, and taking my vitamins daily. As time progresses, I expect to reduce my RealAge even more." -- Laurette Dominguez, Des Moines, WA

"I am a breast cancer survivor of two years. After reading your book, I was surprised to find out that I am 2.74 years younger than my chronological age! By changing a few simple routines in my life, RealAge has taught me how I can make myself even younger. Thank you very much!" -- Kat Middaugh, Greencastle, PA

"My calendar age is 41 and my RealAge is 37.5. I was so inspired by Oprah's show, which featured your book, that I have decided to further improve my RealAge. Thanks to you and your book, I'm working every day to become younger ... I never want to grow old!" -- Kim Claudy, Greenville, OH

"Your book has taught me a lot and I have started following some of your suggestions. With diet and daily exercise, I have lost 130 pounds. Every morning I check your Web site for new information on getting younger. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!" -- Dan PHillips, Port Orchard, WA

"I read RealAge in one day -- it was that compelling. The fact that you could ascribe years gained or lost to each and every action left an indelible impression on me. You punched the right button!" -- DR. Jen W. Chiu, Singapore

"I am only sorry that it comes at this late date when so many opportunities to delay my aging have passed me by." -- William K. Hamilton, M.D.. Associate Dean, University of California, San Francisco