Fountain of Youth: The Anti-Aging Weight-Loss Program

Medical journalist Kaye (Bone Builders, 1996) mixes humor, hyperbole and in-your-face cheerleading in the companion volume to her PBS TV series. The crux of the book is a 90-day antioxidant-rich diet which, she promises, will cut both weight and ""age."" At age 40, feeling ""hopelessly fat, unattractive, and now, on top of everything else, old,"" she decided to overhaul her eating habits and shed 20 pounds and 10 ""years."" She then discusses just how to determine one's medical--as opposed to chronological--age with do-it-yourself ""bio-tests"" (e.g., skin pinch, resting heart rate, visual acuity) and includes workbook-style charts and graphs. Subsequent chapters describe the benefits of antioxidants (vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and calcium) and list the top food sources of each. Finally she presents her ""fountain of youth"" diet, which features six small meals a day--three squares plus three snacks. Most menus are commonsensical, if uninspired: a typical dinner consists of broiled flounder, baked potato, tossed salad, water and coffee, while a typical midday snack is half a cantaloupe. Also included are follow-up maintenance meals, as well as sample recipes to use during the 90-day program. While most of what's here will be old news to nutrition-savvy readers, others may enjoy this accessible package and not be bothered by Kaye's excessive cuteness. (Jan.)