The Longevity Paradox

How to Die Young at a Ripe Old Age

By: Steven R. Gundry MD

Narrated by: Steven R. Gundry MD

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the author of the New York Times best-seller The Plant Paradox comes a groundbreaking plan for living a long, healthy, happy life.

From the moment we are born, our cells begin to age. But aging does not have to mean decline. World-renowned surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry has been treating mature patients for most of his career. He knows everyone thinks they want to live forever, until they hit middle age and witness the suffering of their parents and even their peers. So how do we solve the paradox of wanting to live to a ripe old age - but enjoy the benefits of youth? 

This groundbreaking audiobook holds the answer. Working with thousands of patients, Dr. Gundry has discovered that the “diseases of aging” we most fear are not simply a function of age; rather, they are a byproduct of the way we have lived over the decades. In The Longevity Paradox, he maps out a new approach to aging well - one that is based on supporting the health of the “oldest” parts of us: the microorganisms that live within our bodies. 

Our gut bugs - the bacteria that make up the microbiome - largely determine our health over the years. From diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s to common ailments like arthritis to our weight and the appearance of our skin, these bugs are in the driver’s seat, controlling our quality of life as we age. 

The good news is, it’s never too late to support these microbes and give them what they need to help them - and you - thrive. In The Longevity Paradox, Dr. Gundry outlines a nutrition and lifestyle plan to support gut health and live well for decades to come. A progressive take on the new science of aging, The Longevity Paradox offers an action plan to prevent and reverse disease as well as simple hacks to help anyone look and feel younger and more vital. 

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2019 Steven R. Gundry (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

A delightful informative sequel to Plant Paradox

I've already read the Plant Paradox book so I was already familiar with the lifestyle changes that Dr. Gundry recommends here. The book feels like a natural sequel to his previous books only I feel he talks a little more down to earth in this book. What I mean is that Dr. gundry has gotten better at speaking to the layman. I know some are turned off by the terminology and science verbage of the lifestyle and it stops them from understanding and embracing these eating habits. It feels like he's dialed it down a bit here to include these people and they can grasp the ideas better.

There's plenty of terminology and science. I don't mean to sound like he's dumbing the book down. I feel that his previous books were bombarding you with information, terminology, and scientific research that may have some feeling inundated. He's eased up a bit on that front.

There are some areas that overlap with his previous book... but that is to be expected and he expands upon those points to clarify his position. The book gets into some discussions that he's had with colleagues and occasionally he gets into ideas in other books that other authors have brought up... not to mention he touches upon a couple of his patients.

Approximately three-quarters of the book is dedicated towards lifestyle changes, eating habits, and why you should include certain things in your nutrition. I would say the last quarter of the book is dedicated to ingredients, different foods, and recipes that should be in your diet.

Excellent book and well narrated by the author himself. I would recommend to anyone looking to extend their life and become a centenarian themselves. However; I would recommend his previous book, The Plant Paradox before listening to this one so that these ideas don't sound so foreign. It can be a lot to take in.

Not convinced

I read a lot of nutrition and longevity books, and I can't say there was much new information here. Dr. Gundry has latched on to pectins as being the root of all nutritional evil, and considering pectins are plentiful in beans, some nuts, and many fruits, including citrus, as well as vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes -- now on the "do not eat" list if you follow Gundry's advice, I just don't buy it. I think if you have specific dietary issues, this may be a potential plan to follow, but for most people, cutting out the long list of foods containing pectins probably wouldn't do a darn thing at best, and would deprive you of nutrients at worst. When looking at populations such as blue zones where people live longer than average, and healthier than average too, it's frequently noted that they eat plenty of fruit, beans, and veg. Dr. Gundry's argument is that they're living longer despite that. Knowing what I do after years of study, I find this premise unfounded and frankly, gimmicky. Not impressed.

I little disappointed on the content

I enjoyed the Plant Paradox very much but the Longevity Paradox was a bit of a let down. I would say that 80% of the information in this book is just the same information from the Plant Paradox. I am a true believer of the Plant Paradox program and have been feeling great!

First red flag-- profiting off of the issue

This was such a painful book to get through. I originally picked it up after hearing Gundry on Impact Theory. I highly respect Tom Bilyeu so I was intrigued.

First, the book is about seven times longer than it needs to be. He is always just about to get to the how, "but, first...". This goes on for hours. While I appreciate understanding the science behind the thinking, he needs to learn how to distill the information to be comprehensive to us laymen folk. It read like a medical encyclopedia -- near impossible to recall.

Next, so much of the research has shoddy referencing. This is by far the most restrictive plan I've ever read, and it made me curious. I am always a bit concerned when being told to stay away from such a large amount of organic vegetation. Looking into his work and references more-- there is very little meat behind the words. Nothing published or peer-reviewed since 2004, nothing that actually demonstrates the same causation between lectin and disease. Nothing past anecdotal for the advocation of cutting out his "no" food.

Lastly-- he makes so much of his money selling his own supplements online. This is a huge turn off. "YOU HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMs, TAKE THIS TO FIX IT".

Overall the lack of science, severe restriction on foods, rambling at large, and multiple streams of revenue makes this a solid no for me.

Open your mind and get blown away

If you are willing to open your mind, there is so much to learn from the latest research and experience of Dr Gundry. I enjoyed learning new ideas like brain washing and have also started doing a new five minute exercise routine. I’m already seeing benefits such as more energy, less brain fog and more motivation to accomplish tasks on my to-do list. Thank you Dr Gundry once again for your commitment to optimal health and longevity and for being willing to share your knowledge with us.

You are what your gut bacteria eats

Great read that seems to support rather than contradict other current nutritional information. No magic potions here.

Scary read, vital information!

this book has a lot of daunting facts that we unwittingly live with daily but the good news is we can change it!

Quack Advice is Confusing, Frightening

The doctor is NOT a good narrator! He is pounding home every second or third word as though the listeners are dim! I listened carefully in hopes of learning what my mom did to get Alzheimer's. Not enough oil? Too much animal protein? I began to hear poor logic and various kinds of generalizations and fuzzy thinking holes in the narrative. I am not a scientist but anybody with a little IQ can study and research to help a loved one or for self-preservation. So I searched on Duck-Duck-GO and found negative evaluations of this doctor. Then I found Wikipedia's long list of so-called quacks! Dr., Gundry is on there. So is Adele Davis. And several other diet doctors who laughed all the way to the bank while I was trying to be slim and beautiful and hold a job while faithfully following horrible fasts or nothing but instant chocolate flavored protein drinks or pineapple or cabbage soups! . . . The truth is that I have been following another eating and lifestyle plan for nearly 9 years, and by journaling and eating within the structure of Dr. D'Adamo's Blood Type A food list as a vegetarian, I have slowly lost 40-50 pounds. From the first few pounds, I have been happier just to know I'm on my way. I may get to some goal, but when the pants get baggy, I am pickled tink, even with 40 pounds to go. The blood type diet doesn't guarantee weight loss. I had to keep track, see how I felt and what worked for me. Dr, D'Adamo, also on the Wikipedia list, supports his followers with a website, recipes, a cookbook by which family members with different blood types can eat many of the same things at one meal by having "neutral" foods and adding in or not having the "beneficial" and "avoid" foods for each type. Dr, Gundry's few recipes are all over the map as to beneficial and avoid categories. I have avoided coconut, for example, for long enough that if I try it now, I might have a reaction. Orange juice, another "avoid" for me, always did give me heartburn! And he gets very complicated and very scarey so that the listener wants to sign on at once and be saved! But a lot of the foods have to be special ordered. They are not all down at Safeway! And he sells supplements! . . . I was frightened at first. Then I felt angry, because this book is depressing. Also, one reviewer talked about pectins. Well, duh, no, the word was "lectins," and other physicians know about lectins also. Then I asked my friend Grannie Linda how can we know what is good. She and husband have allergies, reactions, complications. She said to absolutely cook from scratch and get exercise. She also goes online to research her questions. And I know she prays. I pray also. All those diet advice doctors tried to wake us up so we would fight for our nutrition and read labels. I am old, no longer trying to "catch" a man. I eat for wellness and joy. Let's take back our power and just feel our way as to food choices, with sincerity and honesty. Oh -- and calories really do still count, even after midnight! Spend your credit on the next Outlander book or something fun!

This is a vegan book - Don't waste your money

If you're going to try and sell a vegan - vegetarian book, Be upfront about it don't hide it. I would like to have my money back.
Very very disappointed!

Cure It With Diet

This should be taught in our schools so that our future generations are aware of how what they eat truly affects their body!

some good stuff. but lots of unsupported

there's some really good info here but the stuff about fruit and fat storage for cyclical growth is unsupported and misses the health benefits of fruits. also, whereas the lectin information is good the interpretation that it affects the whole population equally is clearly untrue and the health implications of exposure to lectins having completely removed them from your diet isn't examined.

Extremely difficult book to absorb.

The info provided by Dr Gundry is so profound and so difficult to absorb. Even though I been vegan for most of my 40y I feel like I have to forget everything I knew and restart my focus. Literally it took me June, July, August and the first 2/3 of September to read this audio book. I had plenty time just the info to absorb and accept was the reason why I couldn't to listen to it all at once. Actually all of my the discovery I mede on my own and had named not scientifically I found defined and approved in this book. Like for example the voices from the gut I can hear, well that's another level I am aware and another book to write, is the communication of the buddies - which I had no idea of their existence. Also many foods I was consuming as a vegan and didn't felt well after, thinking I am missing something like the cheese for example, like the natural brown rice or the legumes or the tofu, now while already trying to avoid them I understand why, I understand the difference. I think Dr. Gundry is the Einstein of this century. I mean it 1000 % with all my bodied and all my cells and all my gut buddies. Totally genius! And I am aware he is not the only one and also collects the knowledge from other sources. I have my reason, a gut feeling ;-) to think that, he will be celebrated for many centuries followed. Happy I got to find about him and these books via the Tom Bilyeu interview. Thanks guys!! ❤️ ❤️🙏📚👍😍💋✨✨✨✨✨

Promises the world , but just doesn’t deliver

I was hopeful that this book word be interesting and informative, it was, however the most disappointing part of it was the end, it promises to be the answer but it really doesn’t, it quotes blue zones then condemns their process , this is but one of many contradictions through out the book, the end is vague and diet is far to restrictive for most.
The last 45minutes / hour is spent on extra supplementation that if broken down, as I did, would cost you hundreds of pounds / dollars a month to keep up, it’s know wonder you need the extra supplements as the food is just far too restrictive. Overall very disappointed

Interesting

Lots of good advice, but would like to check the studies referenced before adopting his recommendations.

Excellent book

This audio book is so good I find myself wanting to buy the written version as a memory aid to dip into everyday!

excellent

excellent and very helpful. very detailed information on diet and lifestyle choices. I highly recommend

The most important book ever written!

Dr Gundry, with over 40 years frontline medical experience, an enquiring mind and heaps of great data has created a unique book that will without doubt change the world of health. THANK YOU!

Must read life hack

One of the finest lifestyle books I came across, and I have read a few over the years.

Evidence based, yet still understandable for someone with a degree in Biology. Great and entertainingly written and narrated.

Ear candy (without the sugar bit)

The complete package.

Its the most comprehensive out there although 'Obesity Code' 'Longevity Solution' 'Complete guide to fasting' are also highly recommended.

In here you have full explanation with scientific proof and medical analysis of why gut bacteria is so important, how our bodies work and how to heal them from inside out.

I will concentrate on this book and follow the meal plan to the letter from now.

Dubious claims and impossible to follow guidance

The book is full of claims based on anecdotal evidence presented as scientific.
Interesting to read only if you are able to fact check or apply some common sense while listening