HomeHealth & Longevity

Through continued learning and study, Dr. Joseph Maroon began to challenge the idea that disease and disability of aging are inevitable. Having seen the ravages of disease due to poor life choices on many of his patients, he realized that his job as a neurosurgeon was actually sick care not health care. He began to learn about methods treatments and nutritional factors that might prolong and improve our health, and reduce disease and disability. As part of a healthy lifestyle program, factors such as what we eat or don’t eat become critical to whether our bodies function in a healthy way.

He discovered that fish oil, which contains omega 3s, can provide our cells improved function as well as importantly reduce inflammation. He incorporated its use in his neurosurgical practice,  eventually publishing several landmark studies and writing a book on its use.

His interest in the subject of alternative treatments, combined with his diverse background knowledge and expertise, provided him with a unique and practical understanding of Harvard scientist David Sinclair’s cornerstone work on aging. Dr. Sinclair recognized his ability to understand the diverse concepts of genetic activation, disease reduction and prolongation of life, which Dr. Maroon has embraced through research, treatment options and lifestyle.

David Sinclair and Joe Baur

Encouraged by Dr. Sinclair, he has written the first book on the subject of genetic activation and the use of food, such as red wine, supplements such as resveratrol, and lifestyle changes to improve health and prolong life.

Discussion of The Longevity Factor - written by Joseph C. Maroon, MD

What if I told you I had the secret to living longer and by following it you could easily live well into your 50’s or early 60’s.  Perhaps you had higher expectations!  But what if I told this to you 100 years ago when the average life expectancy was about 40 years?  The idea of pushing back the hands of time and extending human life to today’s average of about 78 years would have been mind boggling to our great-great grandparents, or just 4 or 5 generations ago.  

 In this book you will learn that we still have not reached the limit of human longevity and that an average healthy lifespan may soon be 100 to 120 years for many people.   Just as our ancestors could not even imagine the discoveries of antibiotics, immunizations and a massive effort to develop a stable food supply, would allow for an almost doubling of human lifespan – we too can not imagine all the new discoveries that will impact the human condition to allow us to live longer than thought possible.

 Also important, I will discuss why it should not be our only goal to live longer, but also to live healthier.  To exist at 120 years old does not mean to Live!  When we age we must also begin to address our most common fears.  As a physician and neurosurgeon I frequently deal with my patients and families many health related fears.  Surprisingly, the fear of death is far down the list.  What people fear most is being disabled. 

 Disability due to Alzheimer’s with memory loss, cancer, uncontrolled pain, stroke or a heart attack consumes our fears because they result in a loss of control.  Will I be able to work, take care of family, or be a burden on others for basic needs? 

 I  wrote the book, The Longevity Factor How Resveratrol and Red Wine Activate Genes for a Longer and Healthier Life, to help address these fears and let people know we can both live a longer and healthier life as we age.  And that choices, even at an early age, can determine whether you are successful with these goals. This book will provide you background into the aging process and of the latest anti-aging science.   I will provide useful tools to help delay aging and reduce your fears of age-related disability through simple life style choices and discuss the importance of resveratrol and red wine in the fight to live a better and perhaps longer life.

(Read More about the Book)

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For questions or comments, please contact: bostj@upmc.edu

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Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates-UPMC
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