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Summary: Best anti aging book I've read so far
Review: Dr. Smith presents an excellent, practical, well organized book that covers all aspects of anti aging. His style is easy to read and comprehend unlike other books of this nature. I've been following it as best as I can and am amazed at the results. Just wondering if this is the one and only book he ever wrote. The one reviewer said he died. It is probably not true. He does have a website at http://www.renewalresearch.com/
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Summary: Not a gerontologist
Review: His specialty is Obstetrics & Gynecology. I felt it is a "me too" book on the topic. LEF.org has much more information and is more authoritive than Dr. Smith in my opinion and LEF is free.
I would think any serious book on rejuvenation would mention phosphatidylcholine which is in all cells. Rats suplemented with it lived 35% longer than the control group and it wasn't administered until the rats were in such serious decline that they could no longer reproduce. After phosphatidylcholine they had full size litters. The only phospholipid I saw referenced in his book was phosphatidylserine.
Borrow it from the library before you decide to buy it. I'm glad I did.
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Summary: Best nutrition/health related I ever read
Review: I have read a few nutrition and health books, some have been ok reads, some have been rather boring. Timothy manages to keep the reading entertaining.This is a must have for anybody interested in understand what food does to your body.
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Summary: The best nutrition book I ever read
Review: I have read many nutrition and health books, some have been ok reads but some have been rather boring. This book ranks #1 in my favorite of all the health books, a fun read, very informative and he touches on the more technical aspects (something I like to hear about). This book is perfect in every fashion and I hope he plans on updating and re-releasing the book in 2002 or 2003 with all the new information and studies that have been performed on carotenoids, phytochemicals and the millions of other substances in fruits and vegatables thats are still being research. The only negative thing I can say about this book is that Timothy repeats the same info in different chapters and that he doesn't mention that some of the vitamins/minerals/herbs when taken at their optimal dosages can have side effects (such as the optimal dosage of Ginko Bilboa causes headches, the same for ginseng) and he totally missed the fact that ginseng should be taken for a 3 weeks, then stopped for a week or two, then started again. After reading this book thouroughly I can seriously say anybody interested in good health information, this book is a must read. And any dietition/nutritionist that hasn't read this book should be ashmed of themselves to the book where I would recommend finding a new dietition/nutritionist if they haven't read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Before I read this - one question:
Review: I heard that the author died prematurely. Would somebody post = what did the man die from? Before I look further into this, I wanna know...
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Summary: Finally, a valid, unemotional explanation for vegetarianism
Review: I long struggled to define a healthful dietary regimen and this book finally put it all into perspective for me. Of critical interest is that the reasons for choosing such a way of eating is laid out in scientific terms. The explanation of free radicals and the complex biochemical reactions that either encourage or suppress their existence was all it took. I'm sold. The joy of the book is that, in the doctor's own words, one should take charge of one's own health. The degree to which one follows the program determines the benefits one can expect. Oh, and contrary to comments made by some reviewers that the regimen is too extreme, it isn't presented as something to be religiously followed. The good doctor even admits to daily coffee and occasional wine -- both taboo items in the strictest sense of Renewal. To suggest the book is extreme simply indicates that the reviewer gave the book little more than a cursory glance. For me: no more meat, no more processed foods and, the clincher, no more cooked foods. Aside from a few vitamin supplements, however, I'm not popping a bunch of pills. I feel great and haven't been sick a day in over 2 years.
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Summary: This book has had a significant impact on my health.
Review: In his book Dr. Smith put together essential information in one place at one time that influenced a complete dietary lifestyle change for myself and my husband. The mystery of complicated cellular chemistry is made simple and easy to understand. Further, I now understand what free radicals are and how they attack the body and what to do about them. The steps to good health choices outlined by Dr. Smith are do-able; we have done them and are already reaping the rewards. This book makes you stop, think and act. It is very readable and will be an ongoing reference in our home for years and years to come. This is not a diet book, it is a lifestyle choice that makes ulitmate sense and provides almost immediate positive benefits. The recipes that get you started on the lifestyle changes are great and provide encouragement for further vegan creativity. Thank you, Dr. Smith!
Rating:
Summary: Take the best, leave the rest
Review: Indeed, the rumors of Dr. Smith's death have been much exaggerated; he's been my primary care doc. for nearly twenty years now, ten spent in the Bay Area and seven in the Midwest. His programs can be expensive for those seeking wellness on limited means, especially should they be lucky enough to have health insurance -- our insane health care system often paying for pharmaceuticals that do more harm than good, but not for the supplements he more sensibly recommends. That said, *anyone* seeking solid advice on taking charge of her health can sift for the invaluable nuggets here, and if necessary, pass over anything that strikes her as "religious glow," to quote a later reviewer. Dr. Smith has another book in the works, but it may be some time before it emerges, given the demands of his clinical practice and growing family.
Rating: 
Summary: Good info, but too extreme for most people
Review: The idea is simple enough. Aging is caused by free radical damage, so minimize exposure by eating an organic vegan diet (no animal products of any kind), and fight free radical damage by exercising daily and taking a boatload of supplements including hormones, herbs, vitamins and other stuff. The problem I had is that his diet recomendations are too extreme. I know people who've had two heart attacks who can't keep their fat intake to 10% of calories on the Pritikin program, and they have a major incentive. Personally, getting to a vegan diet at all would be a minor miracle, but for Smith that's not good enough, you still have to make sure not to eat too much olive oil, avacado, and sugar. Throughout the book is very good info, but the program itself is too radical (no pun intended) to be useful for 95% of us. ...
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Summary: Interesting, Sensational, Misleading
Review: This book is readable and interesting, with some expected advice and a few surprising ones. Especially interesting are his arguments against consuming all forms of animal-derived food including milk and his case against red wine.
However, anyone who knows anything about traditional Chinese medicine will see that Dr Smith can't be a serious practitioner or even a believer of TCM. Most TCM tonics contain animal parts. One of the most highly prized Chinese/Tibetan "herb" is cordyceps sinensis.
Medicinal wines are also a very important part of Chinese medicine. Chinese physicians believe that alcohol clears the body's channels and moves the qi. Delivered with certain herb combinations, alcohol enhances the therapeutic effects.
Ginseng is not a miracle herb. For the wrong body type, it can cause more harm than good. Osteoporosis is not well-documented in China. It doesn't mean it does not exist. In fact, rickets used to be quite common until school children were encouraged to drink milk.
There are a lot of other debatable points. Suffice to say that while this book makes an interesting read, one shouldn't take it too seriously.
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