Dr. Mao’s overall message strikes a chord with many of us – that is, mainstream medical care is too focused on the curing of diseases and ignores some of the fundamental aspects for improving our long-term health.   The following is a brief summary of Dr. Mao’s presentation and discussion:

Golden Years Have Come at Last – This is what we’ve waited for a lifetime, but the irony is that when the Golden Years finally arrive we may experience many undesirable symptoms such as “I cannot see, I cannot pee, I cannot chew, and I cannot do. My memory shrinks, my hearing stinks. No sense of smell, I look like hell. My body’s drooping, got trouble pooping.”

Misconception of America’s Improving Health – The overall health of the nation continues to improve according to a report issued in November 2006 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

	While Americans are living longer, however, there are concerns about trends in infant mortality and obesity among both children and adults, as concluded by HHS officials in Health, United States, 2005, an annual report published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
	In 2003, life expectancy at birth for the total population reached a record high of 77.6 years, up from 75.4 years in 1990.
	Between 1950 and 2003, the age-adjusted death rate for the total population declined 43 percent to 831 deaths per 100,000 population. This reduction was driven largely by declines in mortality from heart disease, stroke, and unintentional injury.

Measurement of Health – Dr. Mao stated, “Health is a stage of physical and mental well-being in addition to freedom of diseases.” Lowering mortality and increasing life span does not necessarily equal improved health. Similarly, free of symptoms or “feeling fine” does not necessarily equal good health.

Issues with Mainstream Medicine

	Mainstream medicine is medicine for diseases not necessary for health
	Mainstream medicine totally ignores the value of nutrition
	Mainstream medicine dissects a human body into separated organ systems and deals with them as if they are totally unrelated
	Mainstream medicine is quick to mend active health problems but slow or not at all for prevention of diseases
	Mainstream medicine does not teach us how to survive on this toxic planet

He attributed the problems with today’s mainstream medicine to the narrow focus on the curing of diseases and not enough attention to some basics for preventing health problems in the long-term. The advent of various high-tech devices and medical research may not offer solutions to slow down the deterioration of our body due to continuous abuse. Dr. Mao wanted to explain some of the basic and low-tech solutions that we can all practice to improve our general health.

Factors Affecting our Health – There are both external and internal factors affecting our health. External Factors include (1) changes of climate, (2) invasion by microorganisms, and (3) man-made stresses including psychological and physical stresses. Internal Factors include (1) personal desires, (2) genetic factors and mutation, (3) natural physical decline, and (4) ability to resist external stresses. He commented that today’s external factors have been increased ten or even hundred fold compared to the exposure to our ancestors. Since our body was designed and engineered hundreds of millions of years ago, it is amazing how well our body has been able to cope with the changing of external factors.

Pathological Mechanisms Leading to Health Deterioration

	Multi-deficiency syndrome – These include deficiencies in various forms of nutrients and minerals, which can cause multiple health problems.
	Oxidative stress and free radicals – Our body functions like a power plant, in which we take food or nutrients as fuels and convert them into energy. The combustion or oxidation processes could cause oxidative stress and/or produce free radicals that can cause unstable functions in the body.
	Glycation of proteins – Some proteins such as cow milk are more difficult for the body to digest and therefore can cause problems.
	Acid-base imbalance – The human body operates within a very narrow pH level (neutral to slightly basic level). Taking in too much food (such as meat) that contributes to acidity may cause an imbalance in the body’s chemistry and reaction.
	Inflammation
	Cellular energy deficit
	Bad gene expression and mutation

Four Cornerstones of Health – These include (1) nutrition, (2) exercise, (3) management of emotion, and (4) detoxification.

Seven Types of Nutrients: (1) carbohydrates, (2) fats, (3) proteins, (4) vitamins, (5) minerals, (6) fibers, and (7) antioxidants. The roles of nutrients are (1) for energy production – carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, (2) for physical structures – carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and (3) for body functions- vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants.

For those of us who have reached the Golden Years, nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals are essential. Dr. Mao indicated that he takes high daily dose of vitamin complexes including B12, C, D, E and folic acid. In addition, he takes mineral supplements such as Ca, Se, Mn, Zn, and K. For those who suffer high cholesterol and want to maintain healthy heart function, he recommended the supplements such as pomegranate extract, CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10), mitochondrial energy booster, and phytoenzyme.  

Exercise Types – Selecting the right type of exercise is very important.

	Aerobic – Exercises with a balance of oxygen in the body. The best types of exercises are those with regular rhythms and repetitive motions because they are less prone to injury or sudden rise and drop of energy. Trampoline is highly recommended; jogging is not a good exercise because it may cause wear and tear in the kneecap and foot injury.
	Anaerobic – Exercises that can cause oxygen deficiency in the body
	Body parts and lymphatic system – The best exercises are those that can increase the circulation of lymphatic fluids, which is very beneficial to the body’s cell structure
	Detrimental effects of exercise including physical and bio-chemical effects such as acidity and increased free radicals

Management of Emotion – New medical research suggests that the emotions, not IQ, may be the true measurement of human intelligence. The so-called “EQ factor” is increasingly being used to help manage emotion. It is well documented that deficient emotional skills may be the reason half of all American marriages ended in divorce. In Chinese, we call it 情商 (一個人如何因應外界的影响, 而對自己情緒的處理能力).

Detoxification – Detoxification is very important, because it helps us to get rid of toxic and harmful wastes absorbed and accumulated in our body. Americans are exposed to various toxins in our environment due to increased use of chemicals, hormones, and pesticides.

Toxins are almost everywhere – in water, air, food, your home, and even your drug cabinet. It is estimated that over 75,000 synthetic chemicals have entered our environment since 1930. More than 90% of the U.S. population carries a mixture of pesticides in their bodies (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). We now have 300-1000 times the amount of lead in our bones as our ancestors did (Source: U.S. EPA). One thousand tons of mercury resides in the mouths of Americans today in the form of dental filling (Source: U.S. EPA).

“Toxins are truly the weapons of mass destruction: but rather than taking lives in the blink of an eye, they take years to cause pain and suffering that leads to death.” (Reference: How to Survive on a Toxic Planet by Dr. Steve Nugent)
 

Major Channels of Detoxification in the Human Body

	Skin – This is the largest organ in human body. The body discharges some of the wastes through sweating.
	Lungs – This organ provides oxygen exchange for the body’s blood
	Kidneys – Discharge liquid wastes through urination
	Large intestine – Discharges solid wastes through bowel movement
	Liver – Purifies blood through the liver function

Strategies of Health

	Proper nutritional supplements
	Physical exercise of adequate quality and quantity
	Trying to avoid stresses including psychological, physical, dietary and environment stresses
	Trying to avoid toxins and to keep channels of detoxification open
	Using treatment methods mainly through strengthening, supplementing, and regulating the natural functions of a human body

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