Product Description
Mix the latest and most rigorous scientific research, irrepressible old-fashioned entrepreneurship, and the ancient human desire to live forever (or at least a lot longer) and the result is today’s exploding multibillion-dollar antiaging industry. Its achievements are so far mostly marginal, but its promises flow with all the allure of a twenty-first-century fountain of youth. In Eternity Soup, acclaimed science writer Greg Critser takes us to every outpost of the antiaging landscape, home to zealots and skeptics, charlatans, and ingenious clinicians and academics.

We visit a conference of the Caloric Restriction Society, whose members—inspired by certain laboratory findings involving mice—live their lives in a state just above starvation. (“It’s only the first five years that are uncomfortable,” says one.) We meet the new wave of pharmacists who are reviving the erstwhile art of “compounding”—using mortar and pestle to mix extravagantly profitable potions for aging boomers seeking to recapture flagging sexual vitality. Here, too, are the theorists and researchers who are seeking to understand the cellular-level causes of senescence and aging and others who say, Why bother with that? Instead, we should just learn how to repair and replace organs and tissue that break down, like a vintage automobile collector who keeps a century-old Model T shining and running like new.

Eternity Soup is a simmering brew of tes­tosterone patches, human growth hormone (so promising and so potentially dangerous), theories that view aging as a curable disease, laboratory-grown replacement organs (“I want to build a kidney,” says one proponent. “It is such a stup-eed organ!”), and bountiful other troubling, hilarious, and invigorating ingredients. Critser finds plenty of chicanery and credulousness in the antiaging realm but also a surprising degree of optimism, even among some formerly sober skeptics, that we may indeed be on the cusp of something big. And that elicits its own new set of concerns: How will our society cope with a projected new cohort of a million healthy centenarian Americans? How will they liberate themselves from the age segregation that shunts them off to “God’s Waiting Rooms” in the sunbelt? Where will they find joy and meaning to match the inevitable loss that comes with longevity? Eternity Soup is an illuminating, wry, and provocative consideration of a long-dreamed-about world that may now be becoming a reality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (34)

Quality of life?Read this book
I really enjoy Greg Critser's work and I am also someone who has practiced `longevity medicine' in its mildest form for many years. Growing old and growing healthy is my motto and so I picked this book up wondering what Critser would do to my practice of the last ten years.
It is always so well written that I forget he is a science writer, I am entranced by the humor and how science in his hands becomes something easy to understand and to relate to. It made me smile, it is full of interesting information and he pokes holes with a sharp stick as needed. He raises interesting issues about the quality of aging, what is aging, how do we do it gracefully so it is about more than outliving our ancestors. For anyone interested in the quality of their life this is a must read.

informative and very well researched
I recommend this book to those of us who see our society as obsessed with the aging.Greg was beyond thorough in his research giving us a full accounting of some segments of our society that live world of doing whatever it takes to stay young.I also appreciated his sense of humor and personal touches throughout.The book is easy to read and well worth the time.

An accurate look behind the scenes
The scientific field of aging has experienced an explosion of knowledge that many people are unaware of. If you typically avoid unscientific self-help books, and wish to read an accurate portrayal of cutting-edge science and characters in the aging field, this book is excellent.

Breezy tour of aging research
I can see why many reviewers liked this book.I can also see the why some did not.If all you want is a light book on the topic of aging research, you will find it engaging.If you want more, you will be dissatisfied.I came out in the middle, and gave it 3 stars.

It is an easy read. The author has a breezy style. At times, though, this can be grating.For example, in talking about problems that could arise from increased life expectancy, Gritser writes, "This, he says, brings with it all of the problems you might imagine: an increase in governmental spending, a strain on existing medical resources, inequalities in care, and an irrational boom in demand for pirated versions of the Grateful Dead's spring 1972 concert in Frankfurt where Jerry played thatawesomefifteenminutesolo on "Trucking."If you think this is hilarious, you'll probably like the book more than I did.

The book is short, and Gritser seems to go off on irrelevancies to reach the 190 page mark.His last chapter talks in boring detail about a man who lived to be 112. A full half page is spent listing the man's reading materials.And, when he finds that the man had an active social life, Gritser bizarrely writes, "Here then is this book's only policy recommendation for our new, longevity-enhanced world: We must find a way to subsidize young families to live in older communities."

The book is filled with descriptions of the author's meetings with people and locations.Fortunately, there is often some meat in it once you get past all the background.He covers most areas of aging research, and canvasses opposing views.The problem he describes with getting relevant animal models was quite well done.

As my quote on his policy recommendation indicates, the book is not strong on analysis or conclusions.It will give you a lightweight overview of the aging field, but not provide much new knowledge.Like a dessert, it was pleasant to digest, but did not have a lot of nutritional value.

Read this Book before Spending Money on an Anti-Aging Therapy
Greg Critser's review of the current status of the anti-aging medicine in Eternity Soup is outstanding.This is the first book to comprehensively examine the anti-aging industry and to evaluate the scientific accuracy of the claims made about various remedies currently on the market to slow down aging and maintain youthfulness.As a scientist with over 35-years of experience in aging research, I was very impressed with the scientific accuracy of this book and the fairness that Critser gives in reviewing both anti-aging therapies and scientific research in aging.I also found Eternity Soup to be an entertaining book to read because Critser does more than present scientific facts and data.He describes the history behind the anti-aging claims and the research discoveries in aging, giving the reader an insight into the personalities of the scientists and anti-aging entrepreneurs.I know many of the scientists Critser describes in Eternity Soup and found his descriptions to be right on the mark.In summary, this book gives the lay person an accurate assessment of the efficacy of anti-aging therapies as well discussing importance of basic biomedical aging research in improving the quality of live for the millions of people entering their 60s and 70s.In addition, I recommend this book to scientists beginning their careers in aging because it presents the history behind many of the major discoveries in aging that is not found in any other book or scientific publication; an excellent example is the first chapter on dietary restriction. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Focus on Healthy Aging, published by Thomson Gale on November 1, 2007. The length of the article is 952 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Modify your cooking methods to reduce risk: eat foods cooked at lower temperatures with moist heat to limit inflammation and slow the aging process.(NUTRITION)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Focus on Healthy Aging (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 10Issue: 11Page: 4(2)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is a journal article from Social Science & Medicine, published by Elsevier in . The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
This paper draws upon qualitative research conducted among older adults in the rural, southern United States in which they articulated their beliefs and experiences with nutrition and foods, and lay models of the connection of diet with chronic disease. Salt emerged as a focus of contention. The goals of the paper are to (1) present the culturally constructed meaning of salt, (2) contrast the cultural meaning with biomedical views, and (3) discuss how these findings can be applied to health education and better doctor-patient communication. Data were collected in two rural communities characterized by high rates of poverty and a high proportion of minority residents. A total of 116 African American, Native American and white adults aged 60 years and older participated in 55 in-depth interviews or seven focus groups. A systematic analysis of text showed that salt was a highly contested component of food. While valued for its role in traditional foods and cuisine, it also held negative connotations because of biomedical links to chronic diseases prevalent in the population. We suggest that attempts to control salt intake are made difficult by the changes in taste perceptions that accompany aging. Respondents' articulation of salt's role in health and disease shows cross-over among different chronic diseases and a lay interpretation of blood as the medium through which salt affects disease. These older adults' narratives demonstrate their attempts to reconcile the important role of traditional foods in their identity as Southerners with their attempts to meet medical recommendations for healthy eating. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Semana, published by Spanish Publications, Inc. on April 29, 1999. The length of the article is 751 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Comer...¡envejece!(nutrición en el proceso de envejecimiento)(TT: Eating ... will make you grow old.)(TA: nutrition in the aging process)(Columna)
Author: Lola Loscos
Publication: Semana (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 29, 1999
Publisher: Spanish Publications, Inc.
Volume: 6Issue: 322Page: 10

Article Type: Columna

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Many current public health actions and policies aimed at older people revolve around the often prevailing view that failing health is a consequence of ageing. It is now clear that it is possible to postpone or even prevent much of the age-related decline in health that was once thought inevitable. Future policies must recognise this changing paradigm, and, using a multi-disciplinary approach, integrate fully the changing needs of older people into all areas of public policy including health, nutrition, social support, housing, and economic security.

Derived from the 47^th Annual Symposium of the Society for the Study of Human Biology in November 2005, Ageing Well: Nutrition, Health, and Social Interventions highlights important health and social factors affecting quality of life in older age, and reviews possible interventions aimed at the prevention or amelioration of problems that reduce the potential for ageing well. Covering a wide range of topics, contributors address the nutritional vulnerability and specific nutritional needs of older adults and confirm the necessity of appropriate diet and exercise in order to maintain both physical and cognitive health. Reminiscence, social interaction and support are highlighted as crucial for the preservation of identity, health and emotional well-being. Other chapters are concerned with socio-economic differences in the extent of age-related changes in health, resulting particularly from poor quality housing and lack of family support networks. The book includes an examination of the economic consequences for health care systems and pension schemes of ageing populations, provides insight into the methodology of evaluating the cost-effectiveness of interventions, and outlines how the minimum cost of healthy living for the 65+ population can be estimated.

Bringing together the very latest information on successful ageing, Ageing Well: Nutrition, Health, and Social Interventions presents an up-to-date synthesis of the current evidence of nutrition, public health and social interventions aiming to ensure health and good quality of life in older age. ... Read more

Product Description
Informed Advantage: A Resource Guide for Healthy Aging is intended to increase awareness of health and medical care issues. ... Read more

Product Description
Is Shangri-La a reality?The author reports that at 27, his bio-electric age was 39, but now at 51 calendar years his bio-electric age is 19 -- what's his secret?Find out how to go backward in time. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

THE TRUTH ABOUT JOHN THOMAS' PRODUCTS
If you read his book, two things are very apparent:

1. A lot of his health advice is excellent and true (and unconventional).
2. His book is full to the brim with constant advertisements for his products and his products only. If you look at his source packet (product catalog) you will find the products in it are unusually expensive.

I wish to talk about #2. He gives you the impression that only his vitamins will work because they are "racemized". He assures you that only his water purification machine will be ideal for your health because of "energy footprints" and "bond angle restructuring" that his machine does, etc. (which are bogus and unscientific terms). Don't get fooled. He's a good man who has helped a lot of people but his products aren't anything specially exclusive to him. His vitamins are simply made by a company who privately relabels vitamins for whoever wants to resell them under their own personal label. You can get equally good vitamins elsewhere for much cheaper. His water machine is made by Universal Water which relabels it with his private BFRV label. It is simply reverse osmosis, carbon, and deionization. You can get a better machine which is equally BEV water standard (Bio-Electric Vincent) for much cheaper at [...]. Click on the FAQ link at the top of the page and read "How do your systems compare to BFRV(?) systems sold by John Thomas?" for more information. In fact, the above site used to sell the SAME systems John Thomas is selling for much more but due to it having problems, they have created their own version which is better quality.

Why has his products helped others so much in the past? Because they are truly good products! But the key is that you can get them elsewhere for much cheaper.

The second thing I want to say is that he tells many true things in his book. However, he also embellishes them with his own theories. His own theories are unprovable, and in some cases, unscientific. He cannot prove them. They are made up in some cases. For example, he claims his water machine changes the "hydrogen and molecular bond angles". There is quite a substantial amount of scientific evidence which shows that you cannot alter the hydrogen and molecular bond angles except when H20 is bonded to a protein or you can change the bond angle for one billionth of 1 milisecond when the water is subjected to a strong magnetic force. For John Thomas to claim that he can alter the bond angles in a water system and can keep it that way for any length of time is non-scientific and quite simply not possible. So don't believe everything he says.

For another author who tells a lot of the same things as John Thomas and is not in it for the money, I suggest Dr. Lorraine Day (www.drday.com). In fact, the best vitamin supplement you can get to be honest is to use a juicing machine to make juice out of fresh fruits and vegetables directly. Not only is it perfectly absorbable by the body but it contains all of the things inside of vegetables and fruits that our bodies need which we may not have discovered yet (unlike vitamin supplements).

The things John Thomas mentions about fourth dimensions are his personal theories (he happens to be an eastern religion). If you are a Christian, I warn you that it is incompatible with Christianity as he claims Christ was merely a fourth-dimensional being and others can become fourth-dimensional beings too (whereas Christians know that Jesus is God and Man - He is "God Made Man") so be cautious.

I hope this helped. Feel free to read his book as there are a lot of true and good things in it, but be cautious with his products and claims and also do your research on the water system and vitamins.

A must read!
Everyone should read this book and use it to live healthier. The title should be Healthy Again!

good
Testimonials

"Acne, allergies, constipation and menstrual problems have bothered me since I was 13 years old (I am now 27), but I did not have
anyone to help me. When I called John Thomas, I was desperate. He told me exactly what was wrong and how to fix it So, I did it
and all of my problems went away in just a few months! Now, I am one happy girl! Kara ., Portland, OR

N
"All of my female friends (including me) are depressed have become so forgetful, and it scares me to death! Seems like everyone is going
senile. I called John. Thomas and asked him why us women are so depressed and losing our minds ? He explained why and told me how
to fix things. I did what he said and what a difference! Everything changed AND my mind 'came back', too! He said Ahheimers is a
'hormone-issue and a HUGE threat for women over men by 3:1, but avoidable and reversable if caught early. I believe him! I think he
knows more than he is telling. He's onto something bigP!" Myrtle L. (age 75), Pittsburg, PA

"Thanks for always being there!" I will never forget how my life was changed by a casual trip to a book store, and buying vour book.
The truth flies just off the pages and the world is a better place [because of it]." Marsna ., Chagrin Falls, OH.

"When I called John Thomas, I was 104 years old, very sick, confined to a bed, and dying. Mr. Thomas asked me how bad I wanted to
live and would I do as he asked so I could get my life back. I said yes, even though I had my doubts. But when you are as old as lam, every
new day is a miracle. He had me clean my liver, open my bowels, drink Kombucha tea, fix my hormones, start eating super foods, use the
lymphatic roller, start walking and gently rebounding, and drink theFRV and medical water. In 90 days (I began in March 97) I was
up and going. By summer I was walking 3 miles a day and I had a nice vegetable garden I worked in it all summer "barefooted" ake Mr.
Thomas told me to do. I am now 105 years YOUNG, and I am^here to tell anyone who will listen that you don't have to be sick and suffer.
Before, I thought my days were numbered. Now, 1 only think of how good it feels to be alive and I look forward to many tomorrows. Thank
you God." Jean W., Paradise, California

"I have suffered with female problems since puberty and my problems only got worse as I got older. For me, 'older' started about
age 28. PMS problems, depression, chronic fatigue, fat, my hair started graying and thinning. Finally, the doctor said I had cancer
of the uterus and I was omy 35 years old! I was scarred! A friend gave me a copy of Young Again and I finally understood what had
been happening to me for all these years. I did what John Thomas suggested. Now I look and feel the best I have felt in 23 years! Believe
me when I tell you that life is a whole lot better when a woman is in control other body." Sue J., Dallas, Texas,

"The doctor told me balding was genetic. John Thomas said balding was not genetic. Now that my hair has grown back and I have my
natural color in place of gray, I have to say that Mr. Thomas was right. People think I dye my hair, but I don't and I am 65 years "young!"
He (Mr. Thomas) told me to make and drink Kombucha tea and take GH.+, and to clean out my liver and fix. my hormones. That did it!
I sure am pleased." Jesse B. Portland, Oregon

"They said there was nothing they could do for my fibromyalgia except take a bunch of pills. I went to the library and looked in the
Physicians Desk Reference to see about the pills the doctors gave me. That was enough to convince me something was wrong with
their approach. My friend told me to contact John Thomas to see if he could give me any suggestions. He did better than that, he
explained exactly why I was suffering and exactly what I needed to do to get my life back. I am proud to say that I feel good, my
fibromyalgia (?) is gone." Carole S., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
'^-. ' ..

"f always theaf^hf'fny old age problems were somehow connected to my hormones, but the Dr. just laughed at the idea! A friend gave me
a copy of Young Again to read. What an education I got! I called John Thomas and followed the Female Protocol. In only 3 months I
went from a ^miserable" 82 year old to a very happy, energetic and youthful woman. Everything changed! My skin, hair, muscle, joints,
memory, eyes, hearing, etc. Unbelievable!" Dorothy R., 1 Montana

"Ever since I went to Mexico, and later India, my health deteriorated until I just couldn't face another day. My friend told me I was
probably full of parasites and suggested I read Young Again. Mr. Thomas suggested I clean up my liver and get the parasites out of
my system. He also suggested I address my hormones since I was having some female difficulties. The Young Again program works!
It is worth every dollar I spent and more!" Claire G. Cuba,

"I've had indigestion and gall bladder troubles for years. I did the liver and gallbladder purges, took the digesfive^roducts, fixed up my
hormones and bingo, my Gfe changed for the better. Now I.can eat most anything. I don't get fat, the gas fs^wuh^^wniotsafenerr.
and best of ail, I didn 't have to haw gallbladder surgery. Now I'm doing the rest of the Young Again program and I mustconfessWSp&a^
my earlier doubts that John Thomas's program and products are for real." ,, Harlin ., Atlanta, Georgia

"My prostate was in terrible trouble. It hurt! It was swollen, I couldn't release my water, sex went bye bye. The doctor wanted to cut
out my prostate. I said, no way! I called John Thomas and followed his program and I'm now a happy man. For me, life is the best
it's been in 30 years and I am almost 75 years of age. Do what Thomas saysit works!. " Wuliam M., Clearwater, Florida

"I thought John Thomas was nuts and I knew I was crazy, but I was in such terrible health that I decided to follow his detox and liver
program. I didn't stop at six liver purges. On number 13 two pounds of'greaS'and gobs of clones came out of me. NaMfJ understand
why my life was slipping away at only 42 years, and what I need to do to avoid menopausal related problems. Hope G., Nampa,

"I knew the poisons in the city water were killing me. I started drinking the BFRV water, making Kombucha tea and doing a few
other things talked about in Young Again and half of my health proUems vanished. Amazing!" Margaret H., Boise,

"I was only 24 years old when I came down with Multiple Sclerosis. By 28,1 was suffering with the aches and pains of a hundred year
old woman. Then, the doctors wanted to do "total" female surgery on me because a/the fibroid tumors. My friend told me about Young
Again and after reading it, I decided to take charge of my life and put my faith in God insteadof the doctors. I followed the program and
lam happy to say that lam a healthy woman now, free or problems and looking forward to getting married and having children. Life sure
looks different now that /feelgood. I don't know how John Thomas figured out -what -was behind my problems, but lam glad I made the
choice to follow his instructions." Julie E., Phoenix, Arizona

^.
<catalyst plus the Limber life and Yucca Blend and I got to tell you, my body stopped hurting in less than a week. After a month, I
was loose and free moving. I am an 83 years old believer in Mr. Thomas!" Charles 0., Brooklyn, NY

"Z took heavy doses of codeine every night for '15years* to ease the burning in my feet and legs. Sometimes, I even had to put them into
a bucket of ice water. The doctor said I had peripheral neuropathy, also called walking legs syndrome. My daughter heard about John
Thomas *s Young Again program and suggested I read his book and contact him. He spent one hour with me, did not charge meaty fee
for his time, and outlined a program for me to follow. In only 3-weeks, all pain Ie ft my feet and body, I got offthe codeine and saw my
blood pressure return to normal. He told me degenerate nerve conditions are caused by liver and hormone problems. I believe it now.
lam 83 years old and I have joined a gym and now walk and exercise with friends. Thanks so much." Gertrude C., Claremont, California

The Fundamentals Of Great Health.....
I have been reading and following John Thomas' books and programs that he outlines for close to ten years... He is a fundamental believer in the body's inherent ability to rejuvinate and heal itself if given the right inputs (food) and toxins are removed. Unlike vaious other books on health he covers the all of the the systems that need to be addressed to achieve lasting good health.He follows in the tradition of other "hygnenic" health experts that emphasize the importance of the basics of good health with a peculiar "John Thomas" twist. I always come back to his work.He has put it together and he is his own laboratory.So everthing he discusses is part ofhis lifestyle... He "walks the walk" as well as "talks the talk".Some people consider him extreme... but if you are into regaining your health and feeling great in a way that you might never have experineced before... this is the book to get.

I have a good friend who was told to put her name on a liver transplant list because of a very advanced case of Hepatitus C... she could barely get out of bed and her viral load was off the charts.She happened to see his book at a used book store and bought it on impulse... called and talked to John and then followed his program religiously...did 9 liver purges over a 12 week period and followed his food, suplement, and exercise guidelines.She went from zero energy and barely making it out of bed... to energy off the charts... her liver enzymes dropped to normal ranges and her viral load went to zero... she looks great... she is in her mid 40's and she looks like she is in her late 20's...

Get his book, (go cheap and get it used) read it... try out the programs and stick with them for at least 6 months and get ready to feel levels of health and wellbeing that you never knew existed... Read this book... you will not be sorry...

Aim High!
The " object" of this book is to provide the reader with ANSWERS to health concerns and improve the quality of the reader's life. Hopefully, these are the reasons you are reading Young Again.
Your author's approach to health and longetivity is total and BASIC! He does NOT believe in band aids or magic bullets. He wants readers to understand how loss of control of the body's terrain occurs and exactly whaat must be done to experience aging reversal.
It is not the author's intent to be absolute or overzealous. Few people will be able to comply 100% with all the suggestions contained in these pages. The reader is encouraged to advance in personal knowledge at his/her own pace. Do not feel doomed because you are unable to follow all the suggestions at once. Please realize, the material presented represents the BEST you can shoot for - the goal - the ideal!
The ideal world of health is a lifestyle that includes wholesome food, pure water, moderate exercise, adequate rest, low stress, a clean body and a strong mind. These things are worth striving for even though the perfect lifestyle is very difficult to "live" in a world where disease and human suffering are the norm.
Hopefully this book will help the reader find a middle ground where enjoyment of good health can be realized and perpetually maintained, consistent with one's circumstances.
We live in an imperfect world, and we fall short of the ideal. Sometimes we are subject to events and circumstances beyond our control. Yet, each day, we DO have the opportunity to make "choices" that effect our lives an health - and the lives of those arounsd us - for good and bad. We must strive to make the BEST choices we can each and every day of our lives.
The reader is reminded that health and disease are cumulated states of being, and the alternative to good health is a sorry existence indeed. Poor health cheats us of happiness and of "life."
Aim high - and do the very best you can. Good health is worth whatever it takes to get it and keep it! -from book's introduction ... Read more