The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle

My husband is a diabetic. He had a recent doctor's appt., and his doctor had talked about how he lost 35 pounds and it wasn't that hard . . . just basically a change of diet (healthy), along with advice via this book. Well, my husband was about 20 lbs. overweight, and complained that he was getting flabby, so he asked me to order this book. I did, and he would read a chapter or two at a time. He would ask me, "Did you know how good green tea is for you?" I would say "yes." Did you know that nuts from a tree are very good for you?? I would say, "yes." "Did you know that for every 100 calories in grains (cereals and breads,etc.), that you need to have 3 grams of fiber?" Yes. I have read Prevention magazine for years, and was always interested in health and medical topics, so those little tidbits of info were not new to me. ANyway, for a guy who NEVER reads anything except HUNTING magazines, I was amazed that he actually read this book. To keep his attention, it has to be written in an easy-to-read-and-understand style, or he would be tossing it out the door! He says it is very good, and he HAS INDEED changed his eating habits. He is definitely more knowledgeable!!! I would recommend it!

After I tried Atkins in the 70's, I've never been able to summon up the will power to do the carb diet again. I gained the somewhat typical pound+ per year and as I grew older, I got heavier. The program as outlined has enabled me to lose weight and improve my lifestyle. This program that is portrayed is clearly the result of thought and observation and common sense. I like the fact that conclusions are presented clearly and fairly and suggestions to enhance the practice of the program are reasonable and practical. The book shares insight and "I knew that..." expositions in an engaging and comfortable format. I'm really please that the book was published where and when it was, since it helped my wife and me to rework our lifestyle in a wonderful and accessible manner.

This book goes for the whole, integrated enchilada of well being - diet, exercise, sleep, supplements, attitude, relationships, and spirituality. It's an approach that's hard to argue with, and that benefits from the O'Keefes' professional qualifications as a cardiologist/nutritionist team, as well as their well-rounded outlook on life. On the diet front, the book takes the evolutionary perspective that we should eat what human beings have eaten over most of the last 100,000 years, which means lots of fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and some nuts - and very little in the way of grains (especially refined grains), dairy laced with saturated fats, refined sugar, and trans fats. Readers familiar with Loren Cordain,'s Paleo Diet will see much that's familiar. In fact, James O'Keefe has co-authored scientific papers with Cordain. Sticklers for detail will notice that the O'Keefes seem to be more ready to compromise, especially when they have science on their side. They advocate the use of whey - a dairy product - as a realistic source of protein in a world where healthy sources of protein are often inconvenient or hard to come by. They also endorse moderate consumption of some other newcomers to the human diet, in each case pointing to the science. Limited amounts of alcohol, coffee, chocolate and soy products all have a place in the Forever Young Diet. As a practical matter, though, I doubt that a large-scale study would be able to detect a difference between the Paleo and Forever Young diets, though I know which one most people would find more appealing. Both diets have lots of logic and science on their side. The O'Keefes offer very accessible explanations of the science and research, as well as lots of practical tips: how to make healthy eating attractive for kids and adults; how to recognize and deal with the emotional aspects of eating; or which fish to eat and which to avoid. The book also addresses the use of prescription drugs and supplements (including statins, omega-3, aspirin, cinnamon), topics of interest to the health-conscious, some perhaps controversial. The O'Keefes' take on exercise is moderation and variety: mind your posture, have fun, go outside, walk, lift weights, do yoga, get in the sauna, meditate. Finally, they offer tips and evidence on the role that relationships, love, attitude, faith and sex play in creating and keeping a healthy body and a healthy mind. A disclaimer. Dr. James O'Keefe practices cardiology near where I live. I have low HDL, and when I found out a few years ago that I could schedule my regular cardiology checkup with Loren Cordain's co-author, I did. My ten minutes with O'Keefe constitute my most satisfying encounter with organized medicine. He's a responsive, caring and well-rounded doc.

Well someone finally got it right, and for the right reasons. James and Joan O'Keefe clearly define the critical and quite simple components of the healthy diet based on our genetic pre- determinants. They cut through fad and fiction and outline the obvious facts about diet that all should know and practice. Their greatest impact may be in their advice to parents on creating healthy nutritional habits for families - a not so hidden message in this era of rampant childhood obesity. They furthermore integrate common sense methods for physical and psychological health into a comprehensive scheme that seems above reproach. Their observations may not be a panacea for those looking for a quick and easy fix, but those who wish to discipline themselves to achieve a happy and healthy life will find this book a defining tool. Robert D. Conn, MD Clinical Professor of Medicine University of Missouri - Kansas City

This isn't just a diet book. It's really a book on living healthy and happy. Since the authors are a nutritionist and a cardiologist, it's natural that diet, supplements, and medicines are the primarily discussed subjects. But the real benefit of this book is that it reminds us of those things that we should be doing, but often do not. Nothing in the book is surprising - and that's what makes it so good. When you read it, you say to yourself - "I know that, why aren't I doing it?" The diet proposed is a low-carb, fresh foods, mediterranean diet akin to South Beach - but here, it is modified to be the only diet that ever really works: "Eat less, exercise more." The authors remind us that it is our entire lifestyle that matters - what we eat, how we live, and our attitudes that cause us to age, or to be 'Forever Young'. I recommend this book highly - the writing style is conversational, which is perfect for picking up the book and re-reading that section or two that discusses what we've neglected to do for so long. Having dealt with Dr. O'Keefe for the last five years, I became aware of their diet/lifestyle plan long before this book came out. Dr. O'Keefe correctly diagnosed my heart attack in 2000, and I am alive today because of that diagnosis. Since working with him on my attitude and lifestyle, I have lost 20 pounds, lowered my cholesterol significantly, and use this book now to remind me of the things I'm still not doing!