The key to promoting lifelong health and better aging is in the teeming world of microbes inside and all around you
Hand sanitizer. Social distancing. Antibiotics. Fending off germs has long been considered one of the cornerstones of good health. But what if better health and more graceful aging actually went hand-in-hand with embracing the invisible microbes living on, in, and all around us?
Our bodies are teeming with microbes—in the gut, yes, but also living on your skin, in your lungs, and more. They impact everything from your sleep, cognition, mood, heart health, and energy to your likelihood of developing dementia, diabetes, and some cancers. As groundbreaking new studies are showing, taking care of your microbiome—inside and out—can help you improve your day-to-day health and even help prevent or reverse some of the most common age-related diseases.
In this eye-opening book, father-daughter team Dr. Brett Finlay (a microbiologist) and Dr. Jessica Finaly (an aging specialist) break down what the latest research says about how the microbiome affects all aspects of physical and mental health—and what you can do about it.
Among scores of insights and highly practical tips, you’ll discover:
• How your diet, hygiene, exercise habits, stress, environment, and even your social life all influence the microbiome and, in turn, your health.
• How microbe-friendly diets have been clinically shown to delay the onset of Parkinson’s disease and lower the risk of developing dementia.
• Why women should be especially wary of being overprescribed antibiotics.
• How to pick a good probiotic—and why many simply don’t work.
• How COVID underscored the need for healthy exposure to microbes, what that means in reality, and how to re-embrace microbes in the wake of the pandemic.
By taking simple steps to harness the power of your microbiome, you—and your microbes—can live longer, healthier lives.
Praise for the First Edition
“Brett and Jessica Finlay offer extraordinary new insight into the significance of the microbiome in any number of age-related conditions—from cancer to oral health, Alzheimer’s to heart and lung function. The takeaway is that we need to look beyond gut bacteria.”—Foreword Reviews
“Chapters address the function of microbes in various conditions and body systems, with health strategies and lifestyle tips intended to be widely applicable to adults of all ages. . . . Recommended for readers seeking scientifically accurate consumer health information on the microbiome’s relationship to adult health and aging.”—Library Journal
“[An] excitedly optimistic and research-grounded look at the microbiome’s implications for the health of the aging body. . . . The Finlays . . . make a strong case for the microbiome as an exciting new frontier in health research, with myriad possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.”—Publishers Weekly
“With its upbeat approach and valuable diet and lifestyle recommendations, The Whole-Body Microbiome will empower readers to invest in the lifelong process of aging well.”—Shelf Awareness
“According to the authors, the beneficial and diverse residents of the human microbiome—the trillions of specific microbes that are associated with different parts of the body, including but not limited to the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and lungs—may eventually be harnessed to delay aging and to prevent and treat disease. . . . Recommended. All levels.”—Choice
“Whether you are seeking to address a specific health concern, such as IBS, or just want to decelerate the aging process, this book is filled with tips and actionable lifestyle advice. The fountain of youth, it turns out, may actually be burbling with microbes.”—Spirituality & Health
“A fascinating must-read, this well-researched book presents a groundbreaking new perspective to living long and living well through our microbes. Trailblazing microbiology and gerontology researchers Brett and Jessica Finlay insightfully present the latest science on microbes behind health and longevity, and offer easy-to-follow principles and strategies to age better. Who knew, the fountain of youth is full of microbes!”—Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones, National Geographic fellow, and founder of Blue Zones
“Revolutionary . . . The Finlays offer practical, thorough, and sometimes shocking solutions that all of us can implement today, no matter what our age. . . . By helping our microbes flourish inside our bodies and in our environments, we can find preventative and curative care all in one.”—Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The UltraMind Solution and Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?
