The advice in this book regarding diet, nutrition, exercise and stress management is valid and worthwhile, but readers must realize that Dr. Life acknowledges using and having used Human Growth Hormone. In short, readers are not going to achieve a physique like Dr. Life's without using Human Growth Hormone, and restrictions on the the prescription of Human Growth Hormone make it increasingly difficult to find a physician willing to prescribe HGH. Dr. Life's book is plainly designed to draw traffic to the websites of Dr. Life and Cenegenics. In this regard, Dr. Life's book reminds me of the bodybuilding magazines that use pictures of physiques built on steroids to sell (based upon a misleading message) protein powders and other supplements. The Life Plan: How Any Man Can Achieve Lasting Health, Great Sex, and a Stronger, Leaner Body
I bought this book looking for a few tips that I might have missed along the way. The author begins with basic information on diet (which foods to eat, which to avoid, ratios, etc. and exercise recommendations). This is all fine information for the first timer. He then rationalizes his use of (he doesn't recommend it for everyone, just those who are 'deficient' in) testosterone and Human Growth Hormone supplements. I found his writing to be very biased, and dismissive of the controversy regarding this hormone replacement therapy. I would suggest that you do your own research before you find a doc willing to justify this treatment. Every one is different and takes different risks as well, and perhaps this would be proper for you, so I would recommend that the reader be thoroughly educated in this important matter.
Dr. Life uses what he calls age management medicine to keep men young and active. I'm reviewing this book only because I specialize in fitness books and many of my readers are men. I certainly think the good doctor looks absolutely great. Stunning. A real ten. But when it comes to preaching hormone replacement therapy and HGH, I think he's getting into dangerous territory, according to most of what I read. At least, it can be.
The doctor says he was becoming an old man at fifty nine. He had no interest in sex. He suffered erectile dysfunction and low self-esteem. That led to anxiety and depression. Now I firmly believe in the low-glycemic diet he advocates. He also advocates low fat but that's been shown not to work. And certainly exercise is key to the door that opens good health and youth. Those things alone bring about everything you see on the cover of this book.
The author starts out with the famous Bill Phillips program. Then he goes into another program that advocates hormone therapy. So, he has his levels checked. He gets into replacing testosterone, DHEA, and growth hormone. This is where the author loses me. I think this is giving men bad advice. I'm sure some men may truly require one or more of these things. But to take them indiscriminately is not smart and can be dangerous -- just like taking steroids is dangerous.
To be sure, there are supplements and, indeed, foods that will help hormones to return to normal. In truth, this book is very basic, valid information. The hormone therapy is all that sets it apart and I think that's questionable and probably unnecessary and unhealthy in most cases. All people lose hormones as they age. But certain foods help regain those hormones and, at times, exercise does too. Doctors are far too quick to think pills are the answer to everything.
Doctors insisted women take hormone replacement for decades only to find out it was killing them. Do men want the same thing? I don't like any fitness program that recommends questionable supplementation or medical intervention. So, while I know this book has numerous five star ratings, I can't give it one.
-- Susanna K. Hutcheson
Dr. Life has achieved a remarkable physique at the age of 72, but buyer beware...he's a physician with access to testosterone and HGH and the other "hormones" that the lay person would not be able to get through his own family practitioner. Unless you're willing to go to the black market for these items, then you're never going to be as toned and trim as Dr. Life. A big sales pitch for Cyrogenics. I'm sorry I wasted the money.
Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
Why did I pick up this book? I am in excellent health. I don't smoke or drink. I eat clean, get plenty of rest, exercise frequently (and actively), and I maintain optimal hormone levels (according to results of tests and regular doctor visits). People like myself--people who stay in good shape--are always looking for a new angle, a new approach, or a way to add something new to what they already do. Rather than finding something new, Life simply reinforces (through his Life Plan) the kinds of things that healthy people must do to remain healthy.
Incidentally, he includes 9 pages of excellent references, and for those who need it, he has a Baseline Health Record that includes the "Important Tests to Maintain Optimal Health and Lower Disease Risk." If you are like I am and maintain your health by regular exercise, good nutrition, healthy habits, and regular monitoring and doctor's visits, I think you'll find that most of these tests are unnecessary as are the hormone supplements Life recommends.
If you are in poor health, however, it's a different story: "By adhering to the diet and exercise programs, you are ensuring that not only will you lose weight and gain muscle mass, but you will improve your heart health. If you follow the supplement program, you'll find that your energy levels will return. And if you carefully monitor your hormone levels, you'll find that in no time at all, you'll be looking and feeling younger" (p. 323).
I found the writing of the book excellent, the suggestions terrific, and the overall content superb. There is a lot of information in this book. A lot! His Life Plan Recipes (e.g., pp. 105-109) offer wonderful alternatives and ideas.
Also, I appreciated Life's honesty. For example, when he answered the question, "Do I Need Sports Drinks?" he said, "The truth is, there is nothing magical about any of these beverages. They all contain carbohydrates, which have been clearly shown to be beneficial during exercise. . . . Research has show, however, that carbohydrate ingestion is beneficial only during prolonged exercise. . . . In fact, when we ingest carbohydrates during short-term exercise, it simply increases the calories we take in and inteferes with our efforts to get rid of body fat" (pp. 126-127).
I loved the personal examples Life includes. For example, "My wife, Annie, has made dieting effortless for me. She has come up with her own creation, and it has revolutionized my ability to stay on track with my nutrition program. . ." (p. 103).
I have to say that rather than simply a daily guide or a list of suggestions for diet and exercise, this is a reference work to which one can refer on an ongoing basis. There is just too much here to digest and use without a plan of returning to the book over and over again.
I highly recommend this book for its direct, easy-to-read and understand approach, for Jeffry Life's willingness to illustrate most of the exercises he recommends, for the numerous charts, for the personal, interesting examples (as well as the individual stories/testimonials distributed throughout the book), for the comprehensiveness of the coverage, and for the encouragement provided throughout for sticking to it, following through, creating realistic goals, and rewarding yourself for accomplishment.
It is true that any approach like this requires incredible willpower and self-discipline, but any change we want to make demands these same elements. This is a book that is specific and to the point, so if you are looking for instructions along with motivation to get going, this is a great place to start. I absolutely loved this book. Five stars! - John Paul Carinci - The Power Of Being Different By - Fitness'
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