Super Agers.
Always eager to learn more about extending health span, I’ve been captivated by Eric Topol’s new book, Super Agers. Many of you know I’m a longtime follower of Peter Attia and his book Outlive—and I see Topol’s work as a powerful complement. He builds on Attia’s lifestyle recommendations with an extraordinary depth of scientific evidence.
Topol's investigation began with a study of approximately 1,400 individuals aged 80 and above who exhibited remarkable health. Contrary to expectations, genetics played a minimal role in their longevity. Instead, lifestyle choices, particularly regular physical activity, emerged as critical factors. Topol emphasizes that exercise is the most effective intervention for slowing the aging process, influencing both physical and mental health.
Topol echoes familiar themes—resistance training, quality sleep, and a diet low in ultra-processed foods—that align closely with Attia’s approach. But he goes a step further, unpacking the latest scientific advances and exploring how AI may transform our ability to maintain health. Fair warning: this book isn’t light reading. It dives deep into complex biological concepts. Still, Topol has a real talent for making even the most intricate genetic theories more accessible.
Take, for example, the chapter on CRISPR: what it is and how it’s poised to transform medicine in the coming decade. While I’ve felt somewhat familiar with the topic—my son is a CRISPR researcher—Topol’s explanation gave me a much deeper understanding of its potential to address chronic diseases. With a foreword by Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna, one of CRISPR’s original discoverers, the book’s references and explanations reflect academic rigor while remaining accessible to the lay reader.
Here’s a summary of the key points Topol presents that might inspire you to dive in:
1. Lifestyle Still Matters Most—And It's in Our Control
Topol emphasizes that while high-tech interventions are on the rise, the most effective “medicine” remains low-tech and accessible: regular physical activity, resistance training, high-quality sleep, social connection, and a diet low in ultra-processed foods. This affirms that many of the keys to aging well are within our reach, regardless of medical background or income.
2. AI and Personalized Medicine Are Game Changers
Topol is one of the foremost voices advocating for responsible use of artificial intelligence in medicine. He shows how AI is being used to improve diagnostic accuracy, predict health risks before symptoms appear, and tailor treatments to the individual—moving us away from one-size-fits-all care.
3. CRISPR and Genomic Editing Are Advancing Rapidly
His chapter on CRISPR provides a hopeful look at how gene editing could soon treat or even cure diseases like Parkinson’s, certain cancers, and inherited disorders. He explains it in a way that is both scientifically robust and hopeful for what’s to come.
4. Prevention Is Finally Taking Center Stage
Topol argues that a shift is happening from reactive medicine (treating disease after it starts) to proactive, preventative care. That includes monitoring via wearables, early biomarker detection, and even “deep aging clocks” that track biological—not just chronological—age.
5. Healthcare May Become More Humane
Topol advocates not only for better science, but for a more empathetic, patient-centered healthcare system. He’s the first longevity expert I’ve encountered who speaks directly to my public health heart—particularly in his attention to the impact of social determinants of health. He is deeply troubled by the injustice of reserving top-tier medicine for the wealthy, and he champions equitable healthcare delivery for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Engage your critical thinking skills and dive in! I highly recommend reading a physical copy rather than listening to the audiobook—I found myself rereading several pages to fully digest the material.
