By Rachel Rudd

Star Valley Branch Library

“Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity” by Peter Attia, MD, is a wake-up call of a read. It is focused on how to live a long, high-quality life, also known as healthspan, by minimizing physical and mental decline.

We all want to be able to do the things we love into our 80s, 90s, and even our 100s thereby winning what the author calls the “Centenarian Decathlon.” “Outlive” provides the information to make it possible to get the most out of our later years.

The first part of “Outlive” covers what the author calls the “Four Horsemen”: heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and type 2 diabetes. These are the most common diseases of aging that cause the “Marginal Decade,” the last 10 years where we are alive but unable to do the activities we enjoy.

The diseases and the tests used to diagnose them are explained in understandable terminology. I was even able to pull up my own yearly blood test results and use this book to understand them. “Outlive” is big on prevention and early detection in these chapters, so if you are looking for a way to avoid that colonoscopy, you will not find a justification within these pages. 

The second part of “Outlive” includes chapters on the things we can do to avoid the “Marginal Decade”. Spoiler alert: aerobic exercise is at the top of the list, with the goal being routine practice in zone 2, where you can still talk as you exercise, but it’s a little difficult.

Other topics covered are strengthening our bodies to minimize muscle loss in later years, nutritional biochemistry including quality and quantity of the foods we eat, the importance of getting enough sleep, and taking care of our mental health. The author makes it clear that, while genetics can play a role in our later years, how we take care of ourselves has an even greater impact.     

This book inspired me to make some healthy changes, by first making me aware of improvements I can make, and then giving me strategies I can integrate into my daily life. If I stick with it, maybe I can be the 100-year-old riding her bicycle around town!

If you are interested in finding out more about longevity, check out “Outlive” from the Lincoln County Library, Star Valley Branch, Thayne Branch, Alpine Branch, or on the Libby app.