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.

The knowledge that made me whole again came from thousands of years of Chinese tradition of healing and rejuvenation, and I vowed that when I got well I would become a doctor and spread this tradition, to which I owed my life.

My personal experience inspired me to study the centenarians of China and throughout the world. From my research came my latest book, "Secrets of Longevity," which marries thousands of years of wisdom from the East with the latest scientific advances from the West, providing time-tested and well-researched advice for achieving a long, healthy, and happy life.

This blog isn't about me. It's about you saving your own life from poor health, unhappy times, and premature death. You will find easy-to-follow tips on diet and nutrition, exercise and lifestyle, self-healing and environment, love and sex, relationships, and spiritual development.

Here are two tips to get you started on your path to health and longevity.

Whatever Does It for You, Do It Daily
Having a program of daily renewal is like sharpening your ax every day so that you may work with more effectiveness. While weekend spa treatments and yearly wellness retreats are refreshing and reinvigorating, their benefits are often short-lived unless you implement a sustainable daily program that reinforces your overall energy.

Take time every day to do the one activity that always makes you feel good and have more energy, be it walking, doing tai chi, eating a bowl of fresh fruits and vegetables, soaking and massaging your feet, listening to classical music, or sitting and meditating. You will be rewarded with consistent performance.

Housekeeping for the Body
Plant fiber, called cellulose, acts like a broom to sweep the intestinal tract of toxins. It also inhibits the liver from producing cholesterol and draws out built-up bile, which can cause stones and jaundice. Three foods rich in cholesterol-busting fiber are oat bran, soy, and grapefruit. Choose your broom and sweep clean.

These are just two tips, and we will have many more to come! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me. May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

You can receive a free email newsletter on anti-aging recipes, tools for healthy living, product reviews, and additional tips for living a long, healthy and happy life by logging on to my official web site askdrmao.com, The Natural Health Search Engine ®.

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To learn more about Dr. Mao and other natural health tips, go to askdrmao.com.

To purchase Dr. Mao's book, "Secrets of Longevity," click here.