Younger You by Kara N. Fitzgerald

Younger You by Dr. Kara Fitzgerald offers a science-backed roadmap to reverse biological ageing through practical lifestyle changes.

Younger You

The book has received 4.6 ⭐️ from readers on Amazon.

While the sands of time inevitably flow, the prospect of spending one’s later years battling age-related diseases need not be the norm. Enter the quest for longevity, a journey marked by science, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to enhancing the quality of life as the years pass. In this pursuit, Younger You, a book authored by Dr. Kara N. Fitzgerald, emerges as a guiding light, offering insights, strategies, and a roadmap to challenge the status quo of ageing. This review delves into the pages of Younger You, exploring how it addresses the age-old question of how to grow older while staying younger in spirit, health, and vitality.

Author’s background

Kara Fitzgerald, ND, IFMCP, has been honoured as the inaugural recipient of the Emerging Leadership Award by the Personalised Lifestyle Medicine Institute for her significant contributions to the field of DNA methylation.

Kara Fitzgerald (r)

She earned her naturopathic medicine doctorate from the National University of Natural Medicine and is renowned for her global lectures on functional medicine. Additionally, she serves as a faculty member at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and holds the distinction of being an IFM Certified Practitioner.

What is the book about?

Younger You by Kara N. Fitzgerald explores the concept of biological age, providing readers with valuable insights into the potential for reversing the ageing process through diet and lifestyle changes. In a world where ageing is considered inevitable, the book challenges this notion by introducing the idea of a biological age or ‘bio age’ – a measure of how much damage has accumulated in one’s body, including tissues, systems, and genetic material.

The book reveals that some studies have demonstrated the possibility of reversing bio age through medications, but Fitzgerald’s study is the first to suggest that significant age reversal can be achieved in healthy individuals through manageable diet and lifestyle changes.

The book presents the Younger You program, which includes an eight-week intensive eating plan and lifestyle prescription, as well as a more sustainable long-term version. The program has been applied to patients dealing with various chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and neurodegenerative diseases. Remarkably, these individuals have reported improvements in energy levels, mood, weight management, and overall well-being.

Fitzgerald emphasises that the Younger You program is suitable for people of all ages and aims to not only help individuals feel younger but also address specific health conditions. By focusing on nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress management, the book empowers readers to take control of their health and potentially extend their health span.

Table of contents

  • Dedication
  • Introduction: you can become younger
More…
  • Part 1: the new science of aging
  • 1. The epigenetic effect on aging
  • 2. Your genes don’t dictate your fate
  • 3. The power of diet and lifestyle to lower bio age
  • Part 2: the plan to reverse bio age
  • 4. How old are you, really? Tests to assess your bio age
  • 5. The younger you intensive eating plan
  • 6. The younger you everyday eating plan
  • 7. The younger you lifestyle prescription
  • 8. Supplement support
  • Part 3: putting the “you” in “younger you”
  • 9. Customizing the younger you plan to your life stage
  • 10. Tailoring your younger you plan to your genes
  • 11. Future you
  • Appendixes
  • The recipes
  • Shopping lists
  • Ingredient notes
  • Nutrient reference
  • The methylation cycle
  • Resources
  • Dna methylation clocks to assess bio age
  • Nontoxic cleaning products
  • Environmental testing
  • Supplements
  • Acknowledgments
  • Discover more
  • Praise for younger you
  • Notes

Four pillars of ageing reversal that keep your DNA healthy, according to Younger You

Note from Healthypedia

Epigenetic changes can have a significant impact on gene expression and can play a role in various biological processes, including development, ageing, and disease. They can be influenced by factors such as diet, stress, exercise, and exposure to toxins.

1Healthy diet

While various nutritional approaches to longevity exist, three stand out: caloric restriction, fasting-mimicking diet, and the Mediterranean diet. Caloric restriction, limiting daily caloric intake to 70%, has shown promise in animal studies but raises concerns for humans. Surprisingly, some studies suggest that carrying a little extra weight may enhance longevity, challenging conventional wisdom. Enter the fasting-mimicking diet, a more palatable variant of caloric restriction, and the Younger You program’s gentle daily fast, offering an accessible approach to intermittent fasting. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean diet, rich in veggies, fruits, and healthy fats, proves beneficial but pales in comparison to the Younger You Intensive. This innovative approach focuses on whole, natural foods packed with DNA methylation-supportive nutrients, aligning with the wisdom of ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, who proclaimed, ‘Let food be thy medicine.’

2Good quality sleep

Sleep, often an elusive treasure, plays a crucial role in your overall health, especially in the realm of epigenetics. The good news is that you do not have to chase after epic amounts of slumber; a moderate seven hours a night is generally considered healthy. Research reveals that poor sleep can trigger unsettling changes in the epigenome, accelerating ageing processes. Even just one night of restless sleep can set off this epigenetic turmoil.

3Moderate exercise

Exercise is more than just physical fitness; it is your DNA’s best friend. It offers a range of health benefits, from regulating insulin sensitivity to extending lifespan. Exercise operates on the principle of hormesis, stimulating your body’s repair mechanisms.

Moderate, consistent exercise consistently improves DNA methylation. It reduces methylation of tumor-suppressor genes, making it a vital cancer prevention strategy. Strive for enjoyable, regular movement, as even daily activities contribute to anti-ageing DNA methylation changes.

Dr. Cara Fitzgerald cites a study in which participants exercised for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week at 60 to 80% intensity, which resulted in a significant reduction in biological age.

4Stress management

Stress-reduction practices offer a key to unlocking our epigenetic well-being. Research reveals that stress can significantly affect DNA methylation, with nearly 25% of methylation sites associated with stress-related factors. While we can not control all stressors, we can shape our response to them. Techniques like meditation, tai chi, and yoga have shown the ability to influence DNA methylation positively.

These practices are essential, especially if you have encountered significant stress. They offer a path to reverse stress-induced epigenetic changes, with benefits detectable even after a single session. The longer you commit to these practices, the more profound and lasting their impact.

Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths

  • The book offers a comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, spanning from scientific principles to practical application.

  • Personal anecdotes and clinical experiences shared by the author enrich the text, making it relatable and engaging.

  • Extensive resource information, including nutrient tables, recipes, shopping lists, supplement guidelines, and reliable product sources, adds significant value to the book.

  • Dr. Fitzgerald’s writing style ensures that even individuals without a medical background can grasp the concepts presented, motivating readers to make healthier dietary choices.

Weaknesses

  • For avid readers and those already well-versed in health and longevity topics, the book may not provide substantial new insights, as it largely reiterates common-sense information about healthier food choices and exercise.

Best quotes from Younger You

“DNA methylation adaptogens, as their name suggests, help DNA methylation find its sweet spot of not too much, not too little, and in just the right places.”

“Other than genes, it is hard to think of something that can be more powerful than food in determining whether someone is going to make it to 100 or die before 50 years old.”

“In our study we had people exercise at least thirty minutes a day, five days a week, at only 60 to 80 percent of perceived exertion, doing some activity that they truly enjoyed. It was a potent part of the mix that led to their significant reduction in bio age.”

Final takeaway

Younger You by Dr. Kara N. Fitzgerald offers an accessible and comprehensive exploration of the concept of biological age and how it can be reversed through manageable diet and lifestyle changes. Dr. Fitzgerald’s expertise shines through as she bridges the gap between complex scientific principles and practical application. Personal anecdotes and clinical experiences enrich the text, enhancing its relatability. Furthermore, the book provides a wealth of valuable resources, including nutrient tables, recipes, shopping lists, supplement guidelines, and reliable product sources.

While the book may not offer groundbreaking insights for well-informed readers, its ability to motivate individuals to make healthier choices and take control of their health makes it a valuable resource for individuals looking to improve their overall well-being and potentially extend their health span.

Where to buy

You may purchase Younger You on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback, hardcover, audio and Kindle versions, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.


Healthypedia FAQ

Yes, the book is grounded in scientific research, drawing from studies on DNA methylation, ageing, and disease prevention.

The book combines scientific principles with practical recommendations, making it accessible and actionable for readers.

While it provides valuable insights, readers highly knowledgeable in this area may find some of the information to be a reiteration of common-sense principles.

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