Over the past century, life expectancy increased from the mid-forties to the mid-seventies. Now, however, longevity is beginning to decline. Lifestyle and Longevity by surgeon Tom Taylor provides a comprehensive overview for lay readers about the factors influencing longevity, and the strategies that can potentially increase it. The major killers - heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and dementia - all have causative factors in common that are related to diet, and most interestingly, they share the same foodstuffs. The book addresses the energy intake and dietary considerations that can overcome or delay development of these major diseases. There is also information on the genetic, environmental, and psychological factors in a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of exercise. With historically unprecedented amounts of leisure time, along with massive technological advancements, people have become more sedentary and are subject to the damaging effects of fast foods. Many of these life-shortening effects did not occur in the past, but they are reversible.

"In writing this book, I have utilized my lifelong professional experience in dealing with disease processes in the practice of surgery, and have studied in detail intestinal diseases related to diet, including obesity and diabetes." Dr. Taylor advises on major disease avoidance and treatment.