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Aging With Grace: What the Nun Study Teaches Us About Leading Longer, Healthier, and More Meaningful Lives Hardcover – 1 May 2001
by David Snowdon (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 376 ratings
In 1986 epidemiologist Dr. David Snowdon embarked on a revolutionary scientific study that would forever change the way we view aging and old age. Dubbed the "Nun Study" because it involves a unique population of 678 Catholic sisters, this remarkable long-term research project remains today at the forefront of some of the world's most significant research on aging.
This remarkable book by one of the world's leading experts on Alzheimer's disease combines fascinating high-tech research on the brain with the heartfelt story of the aging nuns who are teaching scientists how we grow old — and how we can do so with grace. The Nun Study's findings are already helping scientists unlock the secrets to living a longer, healthier life.
Yet
Aging With Grace is more than a groundbreaking health and hard-science book. It is the story of an altar boy who grew up to be a scientist studying the effects of aging on nuns. It is the poignant and inspiring stories of the nuns themselves. Ranging in age from 75 to 104, these remarkable women have allowed Dr. Snowdon access to their medical and personal records — and they have agreed to donate their brains upon death.
In
Aging With Grace , we accompany Dr. Snowdon on his loving visits to nuns like Sister Clarissa, who at the age of 90 drives around the convent in a motorized cart she calls her "Chevy" and knows as much about baseball as any die-hard fan a third her age.
Then there is 104-year-old Sister Matthia, who until her death in 1998 knitted two pairs of mittens a day and prayed every evening for each of the four thousand students she taught over the years. These bright, articulate, and altruistic women have much to teach us about how faith, wisdom, and spirituality can influence the length and quality of our lives.
We also follow Dr. Snowdon into the lab as he and his colleagues race to decode one of the most devastating diseases known to humanity. We discover:
* Why high linguistic ability in early life seems to protect against Alzheimer's
* Which ordinary foods in the diet defend the brain against aging
* Why preventing strokes and depression is key to avoiding dementia
* Why it's never too late to start an exercise program
* What role heredity plays, and how lifestyle can increase our chances for a mentally vital old age
* How intangibles like community and faith help us age with grace
Both cutting-edge science and a personal prescription for hope,
Aging With Grace shows how old age doesn't have to mean an inevitable slide into illness and disability; rather, it can be a time of promise and productivity, intellectual and spiritual vigor, and continuing freedom from disease.
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Print length
242 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Bantam Dell Pub Group (Trd)
Publication date
1
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Top reviews from other countries
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Umer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is actually a very useful book
Reviewed in the United States on 6 March 2023
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I'm writing this review after some years from the purchase. This book was honestly very insightful and it used the scientific method to determine if certain claims are true or not and did that while telling an excellent & true story. Some of the things that help prevent cognitive deficit are walking a few miles a day, being grateful, using complex grateful language, continuing learning things (especially those that make you think), eating more vegetables such as in salads and being optimistic regardless of the situation. I read this book because it was part of the BIS class curriculum at the University of Texas at Dallas. A great book for the gumptious.
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RAS
5.0 out of 5 stars Aging with Grace
Reviewed in France on 15 February 2018
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Dr. Snowdon is a doctor specializing in Alzheimer's disease, who embarks on a long-term research on a large group of nuns in the United States. He seeks to find out how the brain ages through regular cognitive tests and post-mortem autopsies on volunteers. The book is more vivid than the classic reviews, which can also be read in scientific journals. But here it is the detailed account of this human adventure, from the efforts of conviction to the carrying out of the surveys and the astonishing results of longitudinal follow-up and autopsies, always carried out with the human heat found in the doctor and his many patients. In particular, it shows how optimism and a well-managed intellectual life compensates for brain matter deficits. To my knowledge, the book is not translated into French.
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massimo
5.0 out of 5 stars A book with a scentific theme that gives hope.
Reviewed in Italy on 20 December 2016
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the book talks about a scentific anomaly found in a convent of nuns that despite being affected by the biological markers of dementia still manage to preserve their autonomies and be substantially immune from the effects of this disease. In other words a book that indicates a possible way to live well and cheerful even when the physical begins to lose strokes for the age.
Recommended
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Big Bill
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and easy to read.
Reviewed in Canada on 9 December 2015
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Fascinating and rather well known study of a group of nuns as the age from teenagers to end of life and how mental dementia affects them
as they age. Why nuns ; because they are a sort of control group with similar lifestyles , diet , healthcare and so on. Many gems are
revealed as the book progresses ; for instance , it was found that in their essays written as teenagers , the more extensive their vocabulary , and the more complicated their sentence structure , the less chance of mental dementia setting in , which reinforces the practice of " read to your children "
and so on .
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M. Ledingham
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving gracefully into older age
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2014
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I found this book a very moving account of how differently human beings cope with the transition into older age, where the quality of our lives depends on so many factors which are outside of our conscious control. And despite the subject matter which is concerned with dementia, it is not a gloomy read. Much food for thought.
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Umer
5.0 out of 5 stars This is actually a very useful book
Reviewed in the United States on 6 March 2023
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I'm writing this review after some years from the purchase. This book was honestly very insightful and it used the scientific method to determine if certain claims are true or not and did that while telling an excellent & true story. Some of the things that help prevent cognitive deficit are walking a few miles a day, being grateful, using complex grateful language, continuing learning things (especially those that make you think), eating more vegetables such as in salads and being optimistic regardless of the situation. I read this book because it was part of the BIS class curriculum at the University of Texas at Dallas. A great book for the gumptious.
2 people found this helpful
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K. Burn
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written for a lay audience talking about how the ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2014
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Beautifully written for a lay audience talking about how the science affects the people who are part of the trial. Good descriptions of particular cases and explained very clearly why strokes multiply the effects of the plaques and tangles due to Alzheimer's. Hope for us all.
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Amazonカスタマー
5.0 out of 5 stars Age does not equal mental frailty.
Reviewed in Japan on 24 June 2015
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本書のハイライトである第６章で、
・アルツハイマー症の所見が広く見られる脳の持ち主の３分の１は、症状を示さず、
・所見が少しあり、症状も示す人がいる一方で、
・百歳でも、所見も症状も示さない人がいること、
を述べています。つまりアルツハイマー症の脳所見と、表に現れる症状とは、
必ずしも一致しないということです。
また脳梗塞が無ければ、アルツハイマー症の発症を補償できることも述べています。
内容は多くの書籍に引用されているとおりの画期的な研究成果ですが、
これも、いつかは新しい知見により書き換えられる日が来ると思います。
それでも本書を読んで興味深かったのは、研究の進め方について参考になったからです。
本書で印象的だったことは、
・著者が修道女の研究結果をポスター発表したときに、
Mortimer 博士がアルツハイマーとの関連を調べることを示唆したことや、
それが同氏の"brain reserve" 仮説によるものであることは、
本書を読んで初めて知りました。
・また、応募した研究資金の審査員が、研究実施の後押しをしてくれたおかげで
修道女の自伝を idea density について解析するための
強力な助っ人を得ることができたことです。
文字は大きめで読みやすく、一般向けに書かれているので英文はきわめて平易です。
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Dale C
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration, insight and hope into the aging process
Reviewed in the United States on 11 December 2008
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As the daughter of an aging parent, I am interested in learning as much as I can about the aging process for the sake of my mother, myself and other family members/friends. This book is a gem. It is a moving and personal account by the scientist who led an amazing longitudinal study of a group of nuns. This study was unique in a way that no other Alzheimer's study has been.
As I read the book, I felt as though I was walking alongside the author, David Snowdon, and getting to know each and every nun. It was a privilege to share David's insight into this special community of women (many of whom live past the age of 100). When David finally decided to focus his research on Alzheimer's, he struggled with asking the nuns to sign a release form for their brains to be donated to Alzheimer research (after death). He was astonished when Sister Rita Schwalbe spoke up and said, "As sisters, we made the hard choice not to have children. Through brain donation, we can help unravel the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease and give the gift of life in a new way to future generations."
Although Alzheimers is still a mystery in many ways, this study helped illuminate several correlations. Depression and stroke puts a person at risk. High density ideas/complex sentences found in the nuns'handwritten autobiographies seemed to diminish risk. Faith and community, purposeful work and service, healthy eating, exercise all seemed to be positive factors in prevention.
Since 50% of persons over 90 years old will get Alzheimers, it is likely that many of our family/friends will be touched by this disease. Reading this book is not only a joy in getting insight into this wonderful community of nuns but also in highlighting the risk factors and research being done around the disease of Alzheimer's.
Dale C
[...] ("Transition Aging Parents")
8 people found this helpful
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Shanti
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and good story telling about aging and Altzheimer's
Reviewed in Canada on 5 May 2016
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Well written, informative and entertaining book on a timely subject. Easy read for all, packed with information and presented in a format that makes this book and story accessible to everyone. Excellent for anyone trying to understand more about aging and dementia, particularly Altzheimer's.
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From other countries
No one
5.0 out of 5 stars Aging is not synonymous with old.
Reviewed in the United States on 17 March 2022
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This book dissipated fears of growing old. Brain decline and cognitive dysfunction is in our hands to avoid. The study was excellent and a must read for anyone working in health care. I loved the science. Proof that taking care of one’s health early on and keeping fit of brain and body is a sure way to achieve a good brain in our later years. It was an easy to read for non-medical individuals and gives hope to people whose loved ones are aging.
5 people found this helpful
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Angela Trail
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read for anyone interested in Alzheimer's research
Reviewed in Canada on 20 January 2017
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Excellent read for anyone interested in Alzheimer's research. The relationship between the author and the nuns was the part of the story that touched me most. The nuns' contribute to our understanding of Alzheimer's is an amazing gift. Great read.
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Whitefish
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 January 2014
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Really interesting book and not dry like you think it would be. It is well written and actually charming and sympathetic. Anything that can shed light on the evil Alzheimer's is a good thing.
2 people found this helpful
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小林高義
5.0 out of 5 stars 神経病理学的診断の重要性と、長期に渡る臨床経過の観察の重要性
Reviewed in Japan on 4 July 2013
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修道院に長く、生活をしている日々の記録、診察という、生きた継続的な臨床、日常生活上の観察と、その人の終末像としての神経病理学的診断により、臨床と、ここの病気の沈着物質の有り様の異なることをも観察している。long-termで、臨床,その人の生きてきた道と神経病理を対比させたuniqueな、良書である。
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海外暮らし二児の母
5.0 out of 5 stars 希望に満ちたAgingの秘訣
Reviewed in Japan on 27 October 2004
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最近読んだ中で、これほどInspiringな本はないです。Nun（修道女）を対象とした、長期的疫学研究の記録ですが、アカデミック過ぎず、適度に挿話が挟まれていて読みやすかったです。
題名と表紙が一見宗教本みたいで、持ち歩くのがちょっと恥ずかしかったのですが、読み出すと、次々と生まれてくるリサーチのアイディアと、さまざまなNunとの交流が読者を飽きさせず、また、それぞれのNunの生育暦や筆者とのやり取りのエピソードがheart-warmingです。Nunに「リサーチの被験者になってほしい」とお願いする場面のやり取りは、心を打たれ、印象的でした。
筆者の表現力もすばらしい。この本は、一般向けに書かれていますが、研究者として社会科学的見地からも十分楽しめるし、いずれ来る老いを見つめる一人の人間としても、明るい老後を描けるので、老後のことに思いをめぐらせている人々におススメしたいです。
Nunを研究対象にするというものすごくユニークなアイディアには脱帽でした。疫学研究で、これほど環境要因がコントロールされた被験者を見つけることは他ではないでしょう。
Nunの生育暦、自分史、脳の解剖、認知と運動機能等をもとに、アルツハイマー、うつ等の精神医学的な研究から、栄養と長寿、知的レベルと健康などなど、豊富なリサーチの結果が次々と紹介されて、とても興味深いです。
アルツハイマーや老年医学に興味がある人はもちろん、修道女の疫学研究って、どんなことするの？と、興味をそそられた人、長生きできる人って、どういう人なの？歳をとったらどうなるの？という素朴な疑問を持っている人に、何らかの答えを投げかけてくれる本です。若いときの過ごし方も老後に関連してくる（二十歳前後に書いたBiographyの質的なデータから６０年後の心身の健康状態を予測できる！）ので若い人にも読んでほしい一冊です。
専門用語は文中に繰り返し出てくるので、すぐ覚えられます。英語も一般向けのノンフィクションとして書かれているので、とても読みやすいです。TOEIC 500前後～ で、それほど難なく読めると思います。
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felicitas
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2015
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In 1986 epidemiologist David Snowdon embarked on a scientific study that would change the way we view aging and old age. It was nicknamed the "Nun Study" because it involved a unique population of almost 700 Catholic nuns between 75 – 104 yrs.The reason David Snowden found the nuns an excellent resource is because from the time they had entered the convent they had all led very similar lives in terms of routine, diet, celibacy, occupation (they were a teaching order). A particularly delicate part of the initial agreement was making it mandatory for the sisters to leave their brains to medical science when they died. What made this unique was that in this way the condition of the brain could be compared to the lab studies of the sisters when they were alive.
And yet Dr Snowden (an ex altar boy) didn’t treat the nuns as research “subjects” but really got to know, love and respect them. Some of the younger sisters in the convent even became his research partners going round all the convents in the US taking sisters through their annual cognitive tests. In the book we discover how Dr. Snowdon and his colleagues wanted to decode some of the mysteries of Alzheimers, especially with regard to genetics and environmental factors. He discovered that the research showed that higher education and better vocabulary and reading comprehension skills when young help prevent or delay the disease - of the elderly nuns studied 85 percent held bachelor's degrees and 45 percent master's degrees.
He also pin-pointed which ordinary foods in the diet defend the brain against aging e.g. foods contain more folic acid, such as cooked tomatoes, cooked green vegetables and pulses, and shows that preventing strokes and depression is key to avoiding dementia. And finally he shows us what role heredity plays, and how lifestyle can increase our chances for a mentally vital old age and that even intangibles like community and faith help us age with grace.
I found the book riveting but I have knocked off a star because I think the title is misleading. I was expecting a more general approach to old age and how to adjust to (and maybe even come to enjoy?) our later years but the emphasis was totally on Alzheimers.
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Janet O
3.0 out of 5 stars Well written and informative, but missing some pertinent info.
Reviewed in Canada on 10 January 2021
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While I love the fact that the study group was large and consistent over an extended period of time, I was disappointed that no focus was placed on the impacts of various medications on the speed of decline. I have long suspected that various heart and other medications that are routinely prescribed have a serious impact on aging populations, and it was clear that many of the Sisters were taking medications - the book did not even mention this. I would hope that the study took it into consideration. I had also expected the impact of spirituality in comparison to other populations would have been evaluated. Although it might be a little hard to nail down concrete results, even a general evaluation of the differing impact of having a spiritual life compared to not would have been informative.
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a highly satisfied customer from MN
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book describing findings of nuns studies with alhzeimers.
Reviewed in the United States on 25 April 2024
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Amazing!
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Joseph J. Truncale
4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting study of alzheimer's and aging which may benefit women and health.
Reviewed in the United States on 1 January 2015
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In my younger years this book (Aging with Grace: What the Nun study teaches us about leading longer, healthier and more meaningful live by David Snowdon, Ph.D.) would have never been read by me. However, sliding into old age has a way of changing the way we look at life and death. We become more aware of our own mortality. This study (the “Nun Study.”) was started in 1986 involving 678 Catholic sisters. The nun’s ages ranged from 75 to 106 year old. It focused on scientific research into Alzheimer’s and aging. In my opinion, this research project is most likely more relevant for women because only nuns were studied. I wonder if they conducted a study of a group of monks or priests what the results would be?
The results of this study revealed information that is still being evaluated today. It discovered a relationship between “early high linguistic ability in early life seems to protect against Alzheimer’s.” The importance of preventing strokes and depression is also vital in combating Alzheimer’s.
This book is organized into 12 interesting and informative chapters. They include the following: the road to good counsel hill, the last nun standing, gray matters, the great gift, a tale of two sisters, amazing brains, one with the words, family ties, the heart of the matter, our daily bread, up and grateful and the hundred-year marathon. There is also information about the Nun study and the school, Sisters of Notre Dame.
If you are interested in learning about aging issues and the Nun Study this book is for you.
Rating: 4 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy haiku).
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BC
5.0 out of 5 stars The Nun Study David Snowden
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2014
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An excellent, informative read about a very important subject - dementia.
David Snowden studied a large number of American nuns over a long period of time and make some very
important discoveries.
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From other countries
zheng
5.0 out of 5 stars love it
Reviewed in Canada on 21 April 2023
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good
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Phyllis Staff
5.0 out of 5 stars Optimistic ? Overflowing with Joy and Hope
Reviewed in the United States on 30 May 2004
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Ever since my father's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, I've worried about the little things I forget. Never mind that I've always been a little absentminded, I fretted about whether I received the dreaded APOE-4 gene in the genetic package he bequeathed me.
This book gave me hope - lots of it!
It shows clearly that the symptoms of Alzheimer's are not merely an immutable result of your genetic heritage but also of how you've lived your life. Reading about the nun who, in spite of a brain riddled with tangles and plaques, like the Energizer Bunny, kept on going and going, gave me plenty to hope for.
Caring, kindness, love, service - all are integral to the community of nuns. Theirs is a joyful story and a fascinating read. Don't miss it.
Six Stars!
Phyllis Staff, Ph.D.
author, "How to Find Great Senior Housing"
and
"128 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's and Other Dementias"
10 people found this helpful
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Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars language skills and diet
Reviewed in Canada on 14 July 2021
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I haven't finished reading the book yet. The part that I have read, I like very much.
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Katherine
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 December 2019
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Reference book keep coming back
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grace wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2016
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Fascinating detail and a very interesting book to read
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Barry
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on 5 May 2016
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Great book!
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C. Woodruff
5.0 out of 5 stars Not what I thought....
Reviewed in the United States on 29 September 2007
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I really thought this would be a dry scientific book about results, showing graphs, etc, but it was not at all! The nuns told him he could only study them if he promised to get to know them, and he followed their wishes completely. I'm trying to make my sentences as long as possible and if you read the book, you'll know why and think I'm hopeless! The author has a wonderful way of weaving their lives into what he has discovered, as he leaves each little pause in the chapters with a sentence to make you want to read the next to see what they discovered about it. I learned a lot about what we have a little influence over in our own physical lives and what we might not. It's a very easy read. Oops! Short sentence. My bad!
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KR
5.0 out of 5 stars Good item quality price seller all just right thank
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 October 2014
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Good item quality price seller all just right thank you
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meagan12
5.0 out of 5 stars Most interesting--could hardly put it down
Reviewed in the United States on 21 September 2012
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I had read a book similar to this a few years ago and found it very interesting. When I found this one on Amazon.com I was excited that I could now own it. After downloading it, I could hardly put it down. So many things seem to factor into the cause of Alzheimers--level of stress as a young person, level of education. I found it all so very facinating. I enjoyed the way it was written. He really made the nuns come to life. I was disappointed when I finished reading it. I will look for further books on this topic.
Vera, Canada
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Bizzie
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 September 2021
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Written in a journalistic, yet leisurely style, I couldn’t read every word - more speed read and read the odd page etc that was of interest. I’ve often wondered about nuns, the lifestyle, the choice - truth is, what could be more freeing and liberating for many women, than a life in a cage of their choosing? Their often extended lives lay testament to their choice, as one nun says, they are teachers and being involved in this project was yet another way of them sharing their lived knowledge. It’s certainly interesting.
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