7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity

Diet Basics

Throughout the book Perricone devotes a chapter to the seven factors that must be addressed in order to delay and prevent the onset of the negative effects of aging.

All of these elements are brought together in a dietary, supplement, and lifestyle plan that is designed to promote a longer and healthier life.

1) Cellular Rejuvenation

Focuses on improving the function of the cells by optimal nutrition. This involves increasing the intake of foods high in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Specific supplements to boost cellular function are also described such as alpha lipoic acid, acetyl L carnitine and coenzyme Q10.

2) Lean for Life

Teaches dieters how to maintain an ideal weight without the need to count calories. Perricone says that all we need to do is to learn to control our blood sugar. This is achieved by avoiding most carbohydrate foods with the exception of fruit, vegetables, and legumes.

He also explains that “we can even turn on the genes that suppress appetite and turn off the genetic switch that tells the body to store fat” by making simple dietary adjustments.

3) Supporting our Support Structure

Shows how to prevent loss of bone density, even after menopause, by taking key nutrients in the right combinations.

4) The Skin We’re In

Perricone highlights the fact that the signs of aging on the skin are a reflection of what is happening inside our body.

He says that the best way to improve the appearance of the skin is to eat a high quality anti-inflammatory diet containing adequate protein, combined with certain topical treatments and electronic muscle stimulation.

5) Sex for Life

Maintaining a healthy sex life confers many health and potential longevity benefits. Perricone highlights how neuropeptides, pheromones and traditional medicines can assist in this goal.

6) Reversing Aging Through Exercise

Exercise not only reduces the incidence of age-related diseases, but also allows us to stay fit and active with the capacity to enjoy life to its fullest.


7) Stress Reduction=Life Extension

Controlling mental and physical stress is the key to a long, healthy, and happy life. Perricone outlines strategies for dealing with stress including stress-fighting nutritional supplements.


Recommended Foods

Wild salmon, anchovies, trout, sardines, avocados, grass-fed beef, olive oil, onions, garlic, apples, berries, grapefruit, pears, peaches, plums, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, goat yogurt, lentils, chickpeas, oats, barley, buckwheat, spinach, kale, sea vegetables, red wine.
Sample Diet Plan
Breakfast

Omelet with spinach, onion and mushroom
Morning Snack

Goat yogurt with blueberries
Lunch

Green salad with free-range chicken and avocado
Afternoon Snack

Hummus with crudités
Dinner

Baked salmon with asparagus and caper lemon sauce
Spinach salad with fresh raspberries
1 glass Pinot Noir
Dessert

Feta, toasted walnut and fresh pears
Exercise Recommendations

7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity says that in order to maintain our health as we age we need to incorporate specific types of exercise. Ironically the wrong type of exercise, such as an excessive amount of aerobic activity, may actually increase the aging process.

Yoga and tai chi provide physical, mental and emotional benefits that are unique and cannot be obtained through traditional styles of exercise.

The book also includes a ten-minute exercise program designed to increase cellular rejuvenation, with detailed descriptions and photographs of the movements.
Costs and Expenses

Dr. Perricone’s 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health, and Longevity: The Miracle of Cellular Rejuvenation retails at $18.
Pros

* Does not require calorie counting.
* Provides unique information regarding anti-aging.
* Holistic approach that acknowledges the importance of addressing diet, physical activity and stress management.
* Includes recipes.

Cons

* Not specifically targeted towards weight loss.
* Does not include a meal plan.
* Places a large emphasis on the use of nutritional supplements, which can be expensive.

Conclusions

Perricone presents a comprehensive plan to reduce the aging process that is based on scientific research. Although many benefits can be received by adopting the dietary and lifestyle recommendations in the 7 Secrets to Beauty, Health and Longevity, some of the nutritional supplements are very expensive, thus it will be outside the range of many people to follow the program exactly as suggested.