Ageless Aging: A Woman’s Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan Hardcover – May 14, 2024

When I purchased the digital version of Dychtwald's book, I was seeking a woman's perspective on aging. What I discovered was far more comprehensive than I anticipated.Initially reading on my iPad, I filled several notepads with notes before realizing I needed a physical copy for deeper research. I planned to give the hardcover to my daughter-in-law after finishing, but after spending a weekend with just a few chapters, I ordered a separate copy for her – this was one I needed to keep.Maddy Dychtwald offers both practical wisdom and scientifically grounded, holistic approaches to aging well. Her advice has already made a difference in my life: through her recommended "head ramping", I can once again see the top of my refrigerator. She explains complex concepts clearly, like the crucial role of estradiol in helping mitochondria eliminate metabolic waste.The author's connections across many fields provide unique insights, including direct guidance on intermittent fasting from its pioneer, and specific protocols for an effective 5-day fast.Perhaps most striking is her revelation that "women have largely not been included in research studies until recently" – a shocking truth in 2024, especially considering women typically live six years longer than men, with their final 12 years often marked by chronic ailments and discomfort. However, Dychtwald shows this isn't inevitable.She equips women with strategies to develop a positive mindset about aging – an attitude that itself can extend healthy years – while providing practical approaches to managing finances, maintaining mobility, improving sleep, optimizing nutrition, and fostering social engagement and purposeful living.

The book is well written and well researched. However, as a single, fixed income, retirement age woman I am like, “come on!” Here’s a list of things recommended that I can’t afford: Glucose monitor ( if I don’t have diabetes -$200.00), microbiome testing ($200.00), acupuncture (thousands if I don’t have it on my insurance), bone density test ( nope Kaiser won’t do it until you are sixty five). And I can’t waltz into Kaiser and say “okay I think it’s time for my preventative CT scan to make sure I don’t have x, y or z. They would send me straight to the psyche ward. This book is for the wealthy with concierge style medical care most of us can’t afford. Single, one income, retired woman want to outlive our nest eggs, not spend it early on chasing some health craze. I would say relax. Living is for living, not spending time and money worrying about it.

As a longstanding feminist, activist I celebrate this book which addresses a pressing need!We are in the midst of a ‘ longevity revolution’ with the potential for living longer butour ageist society is not ready with attitudes, services, policies and programs to fully supportthe growth and development of our aging population.Maddy Dychtwald presents a blueprint with the best, current, scientificresearch, interviews with experts in the field and personal reflections on aging holistically.She provides action steps to support increasing lifespan, health span, brain span,growth and development and a sense of purpose.This book is a call for aging women, who on the average live 6 years more thanmen, to take the lead in fully embracing the aging process.It’s urgent that this information help shape future social, political, economic and cultural policiesso that all people of any race , class, ableness, and gender can age well.

Promptly received

A lot of the book is basic information. Towards the middle and end there is newer information.

I got this book for my wife, in addition, I got the audible for myself; and I'm glad that I did. Author, Maddy Dychtwald, shares her extensive research, profound knowledge, and keen insights within the context of her own personal experience. This makes a huge difference for the reader. Furthermore, she brilliantly connects the dots of aging and longevity as a contemporary women's issue. While 20th Century, medical science takes a victory lap over the monumental achievement of extending the human lifespan by 30 years, Dychtwald reminds us that our health-span lags sorely behind--basically leaving many of us, particularly the female of the species, longer to be alone, sick and poor. Fortunately, she does not leave the reader in this state of doom; rather she provides us with concrete strategies to brighten this picture.I particularly appreciate the way she takes "The Science of Aging" down to its source--the cellular level where it belongs, as opposed to the all too familiar story on late-night infomercials of dark circles, wrinkles and sagging skin. Even beyond the physical effects of aging, Dychtwald takes her readers into the complex realm of the psychological aspects of aging.Perhaps one of the most beneficial perspectives Dychtwald provides her readers, is resolving the outdated notion that healthy aging is beyond our influence and is caused by preordained inherited genes.Ageless Aging is not a quick fix promise, rather it is a wealth of knowledge that serves as a guide toward the only true fountain of youth--the science of aging and the technology of health. Here Dychtwald skillfully provides the reader with both.

I thought thus was a good self help book. I had a lot happen this year that really changed me and this helped me find some ways to regain myself again. It gives you a different way to go about things to improve your mind, body, and soul.

Great book for all women!