Live Longer, Live Younger

January 6, 2014
Known in the U.K. as the “Rock Doc” for his work with musicians (including Tina Turner), physician Sharma (The Family Encyclopedia of Health) helps readers identify and manage a litany of health problems while ostensibly slowing down the aging process in this approach to wellness. Sharma addresses specific maladies, such as arthritis and gout, in detail, offering insight into causes, as well as the how and why of treating these ailments. While he returns to the evergreen tips of exercise, hydration, sleep, and an improved diet, Sharma also incorporates a number of over-the-counter supplements, plus recommendations for all manner of medical tests and prescription medicines. The incorporation of homeopathic as well as folk remedies results in a program that comes across as a shotgun approach to self-diagnosis and treatment. Readers likely won’t run into any problems by amping up the fruits and veggies, stretching, eating breakfast, hitting the sack at a reasonable hour, and upping their water intake, but hypochondriacs will have a field day with Sharma’s specific instructions for fistfuls of dietary supplements and costly medical tests that need to be performed by a licensed physician. Agent: Susan Mears, Susan Mears Agency.