Forever Young

July 19, 2010
Celebrity dermatologist Perricone (The Perricone Prescription) claims to have the key to blocking age-related illness while achieving youthful skin and energy. Based on nutrigenomics, an emerging field linking nutrition and longevity, his plan claims to activate age-reversing genes and biochemicals with superfoods (e.g., wild salmon, watercress, chia seeds, barley grass, cinnamon, cocoa); supplements (e.g., vitamins K and D, astaxanthin, Pycnogenol); a fat-burning diet with recipes; yoga; and rest. While other recent titles—particularly Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz's YOU: Staying Young—echo such counsel, Perricone takes a beeline approach, backed by new technologies (Perricone's own Cold Plasma cream) and noninvasive skin treatments (micro-current). A resource list directs readers to Perricone-brand or promoted products (Williams-Sonoma cookbooks, Le Creuset cookware, etc.). Many favorite foods are forbidden in exchange for ageless beauty without chronic dieting and excessive workouts. After a few days free of dietary devils, readers might even embrace Perricone's model of success: Madonna and her salmon retox.