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Lifespan

Why We Age – and Why We Don’t Have To

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Lifespan

By: Dr David A. Sinclair, Matthew D. LaPlante
Narrated by: Dr David A. Sinclair
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About this listen

In this paradigm-shifting book from acclaimed Harvard Medical School doctor and one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people on earth, Dr. David Sinclair reveals that everything we think we know about ageing is wrong, and shares the surprising, scientifically-proven methods that can help listeners live younger, longer.

For decades, the medical community has looked to a variety of reasons for why we age, and the consensus is that no one dies of old age; they die of age-related diseases. That's because ageing is not a disease – it is inevitable.

But what if everything you think you know about ageing is wrong?

What if ageing is a disease? And that disease is curable.

In Lifespan, Dr David A. Sinclair, one of the world’s foremost authorities on genetics and ageing, argues just that. He has dedicated his life’s work to chasing more than a longer lifespan – he wants to enable people to live longer, healthier, and disease-free well into our hundreds. In this book, he reveals a bold new theory of ageing, one that pinpoints a root cause of ageing that lies in an ancient genetic survival circuit. This genetic trick – a circuit designed to halt reproduction in order to repair damage to the genome – has enabled earth’s early microcosms to survive and evolve into more advanced organisms. But this same survival circuit is the reason we age: as genetic damage accumulates over our lifespans from UV rays, environmental toxins, and unhealthy diets, our genome is overwhelmed, causing gray hair, wrinkles, achy joints, heart issues, dementia, and, ultimately, death.

But genes aren’t our destiny; we have more control over them than we’ve been taught to believe. We can’t change our DNA, but we can harness the power of the epigenome to realise the true potential of our genes. Drawing on his cutting-edge findings at the forefront of medical research, Dr Sinclair will provide a scientifically proven roadmap to reverse the genetic clock by activating our vitality genes, so we can live younger for longer. Listeners will discover how a few simple lifestyle changes – like intermittent fasting, avoiding too much animal protein, limiting sugar, avoiding x-rays, exercising with the right intensity, and even trying cold therapy – can activate our vitality genes. Dr Sinclair ends the book with a look to the near future, exploring what the world might look like – and what will need to change – when we are all living well to 120 or more.

Dr Sinclair takes what we have long accepted as the limits of human potential and mortality and turns them into choices.

©2019 Dr David A. Sinclair (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Aging & Longevity Biological Sciences Evolution Evolution & Genetics Genetics Hygiene & Healthy Living Science Inspiring Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Genetic disease Health Survival Medicine

Critic Reviews

‘If you ever wondered how we age, if we can slow or even reverse aging, and if we can live a healthy 100 plus years, then David Sinclair’s new book Lifespan, which reads like a detective novel, will guide you through the science and the practical strategies to make your health span equal your lifespan, and make your lifespan long and vibrant.’ – Mark Hyman, MD Director, Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and #1 New York Times bestselling author

‘This is the most visionary book about aging I have ever read. Seize the day–and seize this book!’ – Dean Ornish, MD, founder & president, Preventive Medicine Research Institute, and New York Times bestselling author of UnDo It!

‘In this insightful and provocative book that asks questions about how we age, and whether humans can overcome decay and degeneration, Sinclair grapples with some of the most fundamental questions around the science of aging. The result is an elegant and exciting book that deserves to be read broadly and deeply.’ – Siddhartha Mukherjee, Pulitzer Prize–winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author

All stars
Most relevant  
I had listened to David on the Rich Roll & Joe Rogan podcasts and when I heard he was bringing out a book, I knew I had to listen to it.
Lifespan didn’t disappoint.
From practical tips on improving longevity, to the science behind why we age, to considering the impacts on environment and society if we live longer.
David’s perspective is very optimistic and leaves the reader (listener) feeling hopeful and that a breakthrough in longevity science could happen at any time.
Highly recommend!

Excellent book - a must read!

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Brilliantly written and narrated! Love David's honest approach in disclosing all this research and his daily regimen plus his family's story. David is a wonderful narrator as his voice is so pleasant to hear and his conversational tone makes you feel like you are listening to a friend.

Great author and narrator

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Interesting and well presented although a little long winded towards the end. Dr Sinclair presents some scientifically sound advice on how we can increase our health span and why we should. I did feel that the book was somewhat short on advice on the importance of good sleep and diet on longevity but overall some very good advice. Worth a listen for those wanting to live long enough to get their own back on their kids. :)

Worthwhile read on increasing longevity

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I bought a book version first but in this Audio version, you can hear the author telling his story with his warm voice taking you to his adventure.
I recommend this to anyone even to those who already have the book.

A Story of An Adventure called Life

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You don't have to feel old. Just Do As He Says with a positive mental attitude.

Never too old

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I recommend this incredible book for everyone to read. Very eye opening and thought prevoking.

Phenomenal book.

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Very important and cutting edge information. Covered a lot of ground. I enjoyed the first section more the than the last section on the effects globally of longer lifespan.

A must read for health

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Inspirational information backed by his scientific research. Very interesting stories. The research that is happening is amazing!

Excellent scientific info to live longer & better.

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i have learned so much abd many things just made sense to me i am very appreciative of the hard work the author put into this book and research i recommend everyone to read and take it further as a life style.

impressive and passionate look at life

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Thx David for sharing with us all of the science that is unfolding at such a rapid rate and that gives us back hope in this often dreary and confusing ‘fake news’ world that we’re living in. Thx to you, I’ve rediscovered my true north!

An inspiring story, told with heart. Loved it!

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