A Look at Dr. David Agus' Buzzed-About Book, "The End of Illness"

Perhaps no book has received as much attention early in 2012 as The End of Illness. Almost immediately, it became one of the highest-selling books in the country. It has sold so fast that it is currently on a ten day back order at Amazon.

Its author, Dr. David Agus, has long been known as a revolutionary genius in the medical field. Along with his work as a medical researcher, Agus was also the oncologist responsible for treating Lance Armstrong and keeping Steve Jobs alive for years longer than expected.

So what amazing revelations does this book include that has everyone clamoring to read it? Well, it essentially aims to reestablish how we view health and medicine. Though Dr. Agus believes we may never completely understand cancer, he claims that we have all the technology and medicine we need to prevent it. Here is a look at his main points.

If a cure did exist for a particular disease, wouldn't it still be better not to contract the disease in the first place? Take a moment and think about how the modern medical system actually operates. We go to the doctor to find out if we have an illness. Dr. Agus feels that this approach is completely wrong. While the primary focus of the medical industry revolves around treating disease and developing new methods to treat disease, The End of Illness advocates using our advanced medical capabilities and knowledge to prevent disease with a combination of scrupulous tests and individualized health plans.

The End of Illness explains how a thorough understanding of an individual's genetic makeup can make all the difference when it comes to preventing disease and promoting long-term health. Dr. Agus founded a low-cost genetic testing company, Navigenics, and he is a proponent of using a process called proteomics. What proteomics does is use proteins to analyze the chemical traces that are found in blood as it passes through the body.

This detailed understanding becomes extremely beneficial in both predicting future illness and prescribing medications. As anyone knows, if you come from a line of ancestry that has a disposition to diabetes, it is much more likely you inherited the traits that will put you at risk for becoming diabetic. If your genetic makeup has been tested and analyzed, doctors will have an understanding of which genes you inherited and which diseases you are likely to develop. Knowing this, proper tests can be performed and lifestyle changes can be made to avoid contracting that disease.

Similarly, when it comes to medications, not everything affects one person the same as it does another. With a better understanding of your genetic composition, doctors will be more aware which drugs will give you side effects and in some cases, which drugs will be effective.

Aside from genetic testing, there are many other simple ways to monitor your body that often go unnoticed. Dr. Agus speaks on the importance of viewing the body as a system. In current practice, if a particular joint hurts, we seek out medicine to relieve that individual joint. What Dr. Agus views as more important is finding out what in that person's system as a whole caused that joint to hurt and addressing that underlying problem.

The following is a list of a few of the common characteristics Dr. Agus says you can look for that indicate an inclination towards a particular disease or deficiency. Remember that all of these are likely indicators. Possessing one of these characteristics does not make it definitive that you have or will develop the corresponding illness.

• Finger Length - Studies have shown that women whose ring finger is larger than their index finger are twice as likely to develop osteoarthritis. This is because longer ring fingers are associated with higher testosterone levels in the womb. Testosterone lowers estrogen which is a hormone instrumental in bone development. For men, on the other hand, their risk of developing prostate cancer decreases by a third if their index finger is longer than their ring finger.
• Nail Color - Diabetes can often cause yellow nails. If you have yellow nails, it might be a good precaution to get tested for diabetes.
• Hair Loss - Dr. Agus mentions that hair loss around the ankles is often an indicator of poor circulation.
• Shoes - Wearing high heels can cause achy feet and legs. That aching is the result of inflammation. Over the long-term, inflammation can greatly increase risk for heart disease. High heels aren't the only unnecessary source of inflammation, however. Gum disease also increases risk of heart disease.
• Sitting - Regardless of other exercise, Dr. Agus cites studies that link extended periods of sitting to higher blood pressure, higher triglyceride levels, and increased blood sugar.

To learn more about yourself, take The End of Illness Personal Health Questionnaire.

Having accumulated indicators of what to look for through genetic testing and/or personal monitoring, you then know what areas in which doctors should run specific tests. A perfect example of the benefits of Dr. Agus' strategy can be found in the story of Bill Weir. The news anchor underwent a series of tests with Dr. Agus for a special Nightline piece. As the result of a coronary calcium scan, it was discovered that Weir had a small plaque buildup in an artery of his heart, an indicator of heart disease. The early discovery will allow Weir to take the proper steps to slow the progression of heart disease and add years onto his life.

Along with tests specific to you as an individual, The End of Illness also suggests that everyone has their doctor run the following tests from a simple blood sample.

• Fasting Lipid Profile
• Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
• Comprehensive meatbolic panel (CMP)
• Complete blood cell count (CBC)
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test
• Hemoglobin A1C

For more information about these tests, read this article by ABC News.

Although it may be years before insurance companies penalize unhealthy behavior as Dr. Agus suggests, improving your quality of life should be enough incentive for following his advice. Buy or borrow The End of Illness and learn in full detail all of his insights into achieving and maintaining proper health.

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