Amazon.com Amazon.com Review (ISBN 0688169775, Paperback)

Aging, one could argue, is the great triumph of our modern society. "In this century alone," Somer writes, "women have increased their life expectancy by 71 percent, while men's life expectancy has improved 66 percent." That would be wonderful news, except that increased longevity brings with it so many things we don't want, from wrinkles to memory loss, from increased body fat to decreased hearing and vision.

Researchers have been looking at these problems carefully, and Age-Proof Your Body is a first-rate guide to what science knows and how to use that knowledge to age gracefully and energetically. Since Somer is a nutritionist, the book's best and most specific advice is in that area. There's good information on exercise and lifestyle choices, but the strongest sections show specific ways to eat better for the purpose of heading off age-related diseases and dysfunctions.

Commendably, Somer points out where strong science ends and guessing begins. For example, she recommends eating many small meals throughout the day, rather than two or three big ones, but notes that researchers haven't figured out why this works to keeps weight down--only that it does. --Lou Schuler