Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. What were your overall impressions of Super Agers? Did you find the blend of science, case studies, and lifestyle recommendations engaging?

2. Which part of the book felt most surprising or persuasive to you—the medical research, the personal anecdotes, or the discussion of lifestyle interventions?

3. How does Super Agers compare to other popular longevity books you’ve read, such as Peter Attia’s Outlive (2023) or Andrew Steele’s Ageless (2020)?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and findings with their own lives.

1. Did reading this book change your perspective on your own health habits (exercise, diet, sleep, stress)? If so, how?

2. Topol emphasizes the connection between mental and physical health. Have you observed this interconnection in your own life or in your family’s?

3. Which of the “lifestyle+” factors (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress reduction, social connection, environmental exposures) do you find hardest to maintain consistently?

4. The book discusses “super agers” who thrive into their 90s and beyond. Do you know anyone in your own life who fits this description? What do you think has contributed to their health span?

5. How do your personal views on aging—whether hopeful, fearful, or somewhere in between—shape the way you responded to this book?

6. If you had to adopt one new habit or intervention from Super Agers tomorrow, which would it be, and why?

Examine the book’s relevance to broader issues.

1. Topol warns about the inequities in access to longevity-enhancing drugs and interventions. How do you think society should address this gap?

2. In some cultures, older adults are revered and deeply integrated into community life, while in others aging is stigmatized. How does this cultural context influence the pursuit of longevity?

3. Advances in longevity science may extend lives significantly. How should societies prepare for the economic and ethical challenges of longer life spans?

Analyze how Topol presents ideas and structures his arguments.

1. Topol often combines hard science with the personal stories of older patients and friends. How effective is this strategy in keeping the material accessible and engaging?

2. The book frequently uses metaphors, such as “Whac-a-Mole model” or the “immune system as a rheostat.” How do these images shape your understanding of complex medical ideas?

3. Did you find the book’s organization—moving from lifestyle to cutting-edge therapies to broader reflections—clear and logical? Could it have been structured differently for more impact?

4. How does Topol balance optimism with caution when discussing controversial topics like gene editing, senolytics, or AI-driven biology?

5. Topol references other works in the field of aging and medicine. Did his engagement with the broader scientific conversation strengthen the credibility of his arguments?

6. How do Topol’s rhetorical strategies (tone, pacing, use of data) compare to that of other nonfiction health writers you’ve read?

Encourage imaginative and personal interaction with the text.

1. Imagine you were designing your own “longevity prescription” based on the book. Which three interventions would you prioritize, and why?

2. If Super Agers were adapted into a documentary, what stories or visuals would you most want highlighted?

3. Suppose you were asked to launch a public campaign based on one theme from this book (e.g., sleep, nature exposure, or gut microbiome health). What would your campaign slogan be?