Barzilai is a founding director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This book provides a summary of the research on lifespan/healthspan that he has been involved with.
The research has enrolled a large group of centenarians and their spouses, children, and neighbours in the New York area. The group is mainly Ashkenazi jews. The goal is to identify why centenarians are different from non-centenarians. The group is genetically and environmentally similar.
They do a full genetic sequencing of the participants, and also do blood tests and other medical tests. From these genetic tests they can identify hundreds of gene variants that may contribute to the lifespan. Grouping the gene variants by functional areas allows them to hypothesize areas where drug development can be focused.
One trial that is described is a Metformin study. Metformin is a medication for diabetes that seems to have life extension effects.
The book also provides many stories of the participants. Touches on the attitudes that centenarians take to life. Interesting.
Conclusions: Interesting book. Optimistic that medicines may be coming that can extend lifespan and health span. There is some advice on what can be done today — diet and nutrition, exercise, avoiding smoking and alcohol, etc. Nothing I have not seen elsewhere.