Merlin Thomas MBChB, PhD, FRACP is Professor of Medicine at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Thomas is both a physician and a research scientist. His research primarily focuses on diabetes and its complications, and finding practical means for their control, but he has a broader interest in all aspects of preventive medicine and ageing. He has published over 300 articles in many of the world’s leading medical journals, as well as several books including Understanding Type 2 Diabetes and Fast Living, Slow Ageing. He is internationally recognized as a speaker, opinion-leader, teacher and medical storyteller.

Red wine is good for us. Alcohol is bad for us. Cut out sugar. Eat less fat. Eat more fat. Every day we’re bombarded by often-contradictory advice on what to do to keep ourselves healthy. How can we separate fact from fad? Written by a medical clinician, this is the ultimate myth-busting guide to what will really help us live a long and healthy life. Professor Thomas looks at each item on the ‘longevity list’ in turn, analysing why it’s come to be considered a health priority, and giving his scientifically backed verdict on how much attention we really need to pay to it. You’ll learn everything from why taking statins to lower LDL cholesterol might not be a good idea for everyone with higher than desirable levels, to whether there’s a connection between donating blood regularly and living a longer life. Along the way you’ll discover stacks of intriguing, entertaining and often very funny facts. Why do people get drunk more quickly on champagne? Is caffeine really a performance-enhancing drug? Can chocolate improve your sex life? This is the one-stop checklist to living a life that might just see you reach your 100^th birthday and beyond!

Yours Magazine, November 2017
“explores how to live better for longer”. – Click here to view the double page feature.

Daily Mail, November 2017
‘Cut back on chocolate. Cut down on caffeine. Cut out the booze. These are the first things many of us do to lose weight and feel better. But is it really necessary for a long and healthy life? Decide for yourself after reading the fascinating science behind our little vices, as revealed in a new book by Merlin Thomas, a leading professor of medicine.’ – Click here to view.

Travel Writers Radio, November 2017
Click here and here to listen to the two part interview of Merlin debunking the most common health myths.

Talking Lifestyle, October 2017
Interviewed by Ed Philips, “an amazing book” – Click here to view. 

Woman’s Day Magazine, October 2017
“Five Health Myths challenged” – Click here to view.

Business Day Online (Stuff), October 2017
Australian professor of medicine Merlin Thomas has just published The Longevity List, a book designed to show people how to live a long and healthy life. His conclusion is superfood fads are “mostly a marketing ploy” and “those who take vitamins and other nutritional supplements often end up with worse health outcomes than those who do not”. – Read the full feature here.

Life & Style (Stuff), October 2017
Thomas says when people feel connected and in a relationship it creates a magical chemistry. “How do you put that in a pill or in a diet? But it really matters.” Elsewhere in the book, Thomas deconstructs popular thoughts and understandings around health. – Read the full feature here.

Taste Magazine, October 2017
Featured a 2 page extract in the October issue – Click here to view.

Nourish Magazine, October 2017
Featured a 5 page extract in the October issue – Click here to view.

Today Show, September 2017

Merlin joined Karl, Lisa and Richard on the Today Show to talk about his new book The Longevity List. Click here to watch the segement!

ABC Sydney, September 2017
“debunks the myths around living a long healthy life” – Click here to listen

ABC Central Coast Breakfast, September 2017
“it is great to be able to communicate science in a friendly, interesting way, this book busts a lot of myths but is also is a rollicking good read” – Click here to listen

SA Weekend, September 2017
“Should I cut down on alcohol? An Aussie professor’s new book on living longer separates fact from fairy tale” – Click here to read in full. 

2UE Talking Lifestyle, September 2017
“the magic formula to living longer” – Click here to listen

ABC Brisbane, September 2017
Click here to listen

ABC Darwin, September 2017
Click here to listen

Radio NZ, September 2017
Professor Merlin Thomas joined Radio NZ Nine, talking with Kathryn Ryan about his latest book The Longevity List. Listen in here.

FiveAA Evenings, September 2017
“a real gem” – Click here to listen

Click here to download Chapter 2 of The Longevity List or view below.

The West End Magazine, November 2017
“Just like the content, the chapters are filled with good humour, including titles such as ‘Do I Really Have to: Get off the Couch? Find Love? Lose the Waist?’ … The Longevity List is set to bring good cheer while informing readers with fact-based opinions”

Blue Wolf Reviews, October 2017
“Professor Merlin Thomas takes a number of the wonderful myths and realities of the longevity quest and places them firmly under the spotlight of common sense, exploding many, concurring on some and laughing at others, but all the while delivering a good dose of reality on how we choose to live, exercise and eat.” – Click here to view.

Australian Nurisng and Midwife Journal, September 2017
“The Longevity List takes a light-hearted and entertaining approach looking at the evidence of the wealth of health information we are bombarded with. A physician and research scientist, Thomas aims to sort the medical fact from health industry myths – and provides his scientifically backed verdict.”

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