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Welcome to Dr. Mao?s Secrets of Longevity blog! |
Hello, I am Maoshing Ni. Most of my patients and students call me Dr. Mao to differentiate me from the other doctors in my family, my father and brother. You may wonder why I am so interested in longevity. An accidental fall from the rooftop of our three-story house when I was six years old left me in and out of a coma for a month and this trauma greatly weakened me. I am lucky that I was born into a medical family. My father was a doctor of Chinese medicine and a master of Taoist arts, and he and my mother rehabilitated me and guided me on the long road back to health. I still hold the memory of the bitter herb teas, grueling early-morning tai chi and qigong practices, daily acupuncture sessions, meditation disciplines, and special food preparations.
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Apricots The anti aging weapon |
One of the staple foods of the famously long-lived centenarians in the Hunza valley of the Himalayas is the apricot. Here is some information about apricots and one great way to work them into your diet for your health and longevity.
Apricots: the Secret Anti-aging Weapon
Research shows that of any food, apricots possess the highest levels and widest variety of carotenoids. Carotenoids are antioxidants that help prevent heart disease, reduce “bad cholesterol” levels, and protect against cancer. In traditional Chinese medicine, apricots are considered helpful in regenerating body fluids, detoxifying, and quenching thirst.
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Paving the Way for Memory Lane |
Feeling like the absent-minded professor lately? Here are some memory-improving strategies to keep your brain sharp.
Gingko to Think
Ginkgo, the oldest surviving species of tree, has been traced back 300 million years and is one of the most widely studied plants. The leaf of the ginkgo tree is shaped like a human brain, and some believe this is why, in Asia, it has always had a reputation of benefiting the mental processes. A dwindling memory and decreased concentration is largely caused by decreased blood flow to the brain and loss of brain cells; ginkgo has been confirmed to boost circulation to the brain and other organs, improving memory and cognitive functions. Additionally, ginkgo is used far and wide as a longevity tonic in Asia and Europe. The best-known and most commonly available form of ginkgo is as teas and herbal extracts, but ginkgo nut, used in the culinary traditions of Asian cultures, also has therapeutic properties and is also said to strengthen lung function.
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Heart disease is currently one of the highest-ranked causes of early mortality in adults. There are many factors involved in heart health, and one of the most important is diet. Here are some heart-healthy foods.
An Apple a Day Keeps the Heart Doctor Away
Scientists have confirmed that apples significantly contribute to a healthy heart. In fact, eating two to three apples per day results in decreased cholesterol levels due to the fruit’s rich pectin content. Pectin also helps prevent colon cancer—you can think of it as a broom that sweeps our intestines. Munching apples is one snack temptation that is healthy to give in to!
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