Rating: 
Summary: Ignores detoxification and other things
Review: "Real Age" is a nice addition to the self-help health book market with a unique approach that draws a line between your chronological age and your "real" age. The book is basically a schmorgasborg of practical info, none of which is really earth-shattering. Its the tables scattered throughout the book that show your real age adjustments for doing/not doing certain activities that makes this book. I found it both encouraging and empowering to see how things in my control can benefit my long-term health (though not all real age elements are under one's control). While some of the info is sophomoric(touting the benefits of a personal trainer), some of it is useful (detailed breakdown on vitamins) and make this a worthwhile check-out at the local library.
Rating:
Summary: Could be dangerous to your health
Review: At best, this book just rehashes common-sense recommendations for taking care of yourself -- wear your seat belt, quit smoking, exercise regularly, and don't eat a lot of junk food -- so it's relatively innocuous. But, where weight is concerned, I feel that he's perpetuating stereotypes that could be detrimental to one's general health. He toes the party line -- above-average weight is bad, losing weight is good -- and his RealAge quiz attaches a disproportionately large penalty to a high BMI (try taking the RealAge quiz on his web site twice, changing nothing but the weight you report, and you'll see what I mean). The facts of the matter are that dieting doesn't work and usually makes you fatter, and that a fat person who exercises, eats a balanced diet, and otherwise takes good care of him/herself can be just as healthy as a thin person. I'm afraid that this book (like so many others on the market) will discourage fat people: they'll figure "I'm too fat, so why even bother?", rather than making the moderate lifestyle changes that would optimize their health and fitness, so the overall effects of the book will be negative. (I come from a long line of farm wives who, by modern standards, were "morbidly obese," but who led active lives, ate well, and survived into their 80's and 90's in vigorous good health -- so I'm doing my best to emulate them!)
Rating: 
Summary: Caution about Mega Dosing on Vitamins
Review: I found many interesting things in this book that is written for the masses. However, like exercising, everyone needs to decide or get a professionals opinion about what is good for them as an individual. I had followed the recommendations of the book for the last 9 months to a tee besides going to the website to get my "Realage" down. I just experienced a kidney stone that needed to be removed. For anyone that has been through a stone ordeal knows that it is equal in pain to childbirth or more so according to my urologist. A leading contributor of my stone was the increased intake of calcium, vitamin D, and Vitamin C that I took based on the recommendations of this book. Were there other factors? Probably. However, what is good for one person may not be good for all. So proceed with caution. Again, the book did enlighten me in many areas.
Rating: 
Summary: STOP THINKING TRADITIONALLY ABOUT AGE!
Review: I had fun taking the test, more fun finding out that I am six years younger than my chronological age, and even more fun telling people that! However, I already know that having a healthy life style, exercising, eating well, relieving stress and a great marriage are all things that keep me feeling and looking younger. I found the rest of the book a little disappointing, because each chapter repeats, although in much more detail, the items on the test. This is a good book for someone who wants a general overview of things to do to be healthy and problems that an unhealthy life style can cause. Practicing what Dr. Roizen suggests takes time, you may need more detail and want to review what you should do with your own advisors. I also suggest you read another new book that will help you understand why it is difficult for some people to change their life habits, called THE 2,000 PERCENT SOLUTION, by Mitchell, Coles and Metz. The first half of the book talks about our bad habits or "stalls", like THE TRADITION STALL (I grew up on lasagna or chicken soup and matzoh balls, or bread and butter - and I like those foods) or The Misconception Stall (I don't have time to exercise or meditate, when you will find that if you do, you begin to do things so much better, you have created the time). The second half shares eight steps to make progress at 20 times the usual rate. If you read REAL AGE and THE 2,000 PERCENT SOLUTION together, you will develop ideas to get "younger and better" faster!
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Summary: REALAGE:ARE YOU AS YOUNG AS YOU CAN BE
Review: I ORIGINALLY GOT THE BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY. I FOUND IT TO BE STRAIGHTFORWARD,EASY TO UNDERSTAND.IT WAS IN A FORM THAT CAN EASILY BE UNDERSTOOD BY JUST ABOUT EVERYONE. I FOUND THE CONCEPTS REASONABLE AND PRETTY EASY TO APPLY. THE CONCEPTS ARE SIMPLE AND DEFFINATELY DO ABLE. IT WAS HONEST AND NON-THREATENING.
Rating:
Summary: Ignores detoxification and other things
Review: I thought this book had some useful information when I first read it several years ago. After I read it, I stopped taking selenium supplements and decreased my daily dosage of vitamin C to 2,000 mg. Then I got a tumor in my neck (spring 2000), and most recently a breast tumor. I read that selenium actually inhbits the growth of tumors, so I am upset for having followed Roizen's advice. Also, I learned that one can take up to 10 GRAMS of vitamin C per day with very beneficial results. This vitamin also helps prevent and fight cancer. Finally, Roizen completely omits any mention of the need for regular detoxification. He says it's okay to drink tap water! I have lost my respect for this author and am now selling his book. It's out of date.
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Summary: Just Go To the web site
Review: I was pretty excited about the book, but it doesn't tell much you don't get from doing the quiz on the web site, realage.com. Save your money...
Rating:
Summary: A REAl eye opener
Review: It was this book that opened my eyes on how well I was or wasn't taking care of myself. I was motivated after the first chapter to do things like taking aspirin, limit cell phone calls, taking vitamins, watching diet, etc. I have reduced my realage from my chronological age by 15 years now. If a book can influence people to take care of themselves based on medical science, why not pick up a copy? It's an investment in your life!
Rating: 
Summary: Superficial and frivilous review
Review: Okay, this is a superficial and frivilous review. I admit it but it is possibly based on some of the same "scientific" evidence presented in this book.I went to the rating of age for those who have a dog. The benefit is .5 years. What? Dogs help you get out and walk, which is healthy. Petting dogs has been known to lower blood pressure. Also healthy. Ever talk to you dog about your problems and the stresses of the day? I do. Also healthy. And for all these positives, only a mere .5 years benefit? Are all his other stats as questionable? Based on that alone, I dismiss this book. As I said, a superficial, frivilous review but food for thought.
Rating:
Summary: A new paradigm
Review: Real age takes information most people know (and some that most people don't) and puts in a framework that is easy to understand. While for any individual, certain factors may have more importance (many of the reviewers on this site stressed how important dog ownership is to them), the fact that you can change your health and mortality from your own behaviors, and to this degree, is very motivating. As a primary care internist, I have found this paradigm very useful in getting my own patients to quit smoking and start exercising!
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