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Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100

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Looking to live a longer, happier, healthier life? Try eating more blueberries, telling the truth, and saying no to undue burdens. These are just a few of the hundreds of tips profiled in Secrets of Longevitya simple, no-nonsense approach to living longer. Dr. Maoshing Ni, doctor to Hollywood stars and a Tai Chi master specializing in longevity, brings together simple and unusual ways to live longer in this beautifully designed, chunky paperback, putting at the fingertips a host of proven ways to make anyone's stay on earth much, much happier.

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2006

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497 people want to read

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Maoshing Ni

34 books14 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Priya.
22 reviews52 followers
May 13, 2009
It's not that I think I'm old and am reading books about how to prolong my life; instead, i am just trying to live my life healthfully well. i love this book so far (only half-way through). It's concise, and it gets the point across. Each page has a new topic. And, with that topic, there is prevention through diet and activity! As a nutritionist, this fact makes me so proud. Please read it and make these small changes. Instead of sluggishly moving along, you may just strut your step. I speak from experience.

Profile Image for Nikki.
158 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2012
Ni's book seems designed for people with short attention spans, but I didn't mind that much. My attention span is usually pretty short for self-help books. It's impossible to implement all the suggestions, but if you view it like a menu, I'm sure you can put together a nice multi-course meal from it. There is a heavy emphasis on Chinese philosophy, and it sometimes gets a little woo-woo, like when it suggested that I should reduce my salt intake because I have an oval face, but there are also some gems in here, and I liked the emphasis on the mind-body connection.
Profile Image for Nikki.
254 reviews55 followers
December 29, 2010
I love the focus on balance and how the tips suggest not only what to avoid but what to try in its place. The format seemed a little random to me at first, since each page is a new tip, but I liked that having each page be its own thing made the 300 pages fly by, and if I want to find a particular tip I can use the index for reference. Great comprehensive health guide and definitely one I'm glad to be keeping.
Profile Image for Sheila DeChantal.
736 reviews77 followers
August 28, 2011
I think as we get uhhhh..... older..... many of us try to make healthier choices in our life style and in our diets. Key word for m here is - TRY. :razz: However, I know first hand that when I do eat right and exercise I feel (and look) better.

Books like this one fascinate me. I love to read up on herbs and spices that burn more calories, or take away headaches, or seem to reduce risks of disease. When I think about all the junk we have added to our diets the last 50 or so years (fast food, restaurant chains, anything fired and on a stick for serving purposes) it really is a no brainer that we have always had the ingredients and the tools to live healthier lives if we choose to do so.

Secrets Of Longevity is written by Dr. Moa Shing Ni (a 38th generation doctor!). The book is broke into easy to use chapters:
Chapter One: What You Eat
Chapter Two: How You Heal
Chapter Three: Where You Are (environment, ecology)
Chapter Four: What You Do (exercise, lifestyle)
Chapter Five: Who You Are (relationships, faith)
Chapter Six: Bringing It All Together

Each page is about a paragraph long with bits of information, some of which we know such as:

Smaller Meals four to five times a day

Eat Like a King by Day, a Pauper at night

but many I did not know...

Tea is the beverage most commonly drank by centenarians around the world. The free radical property of tea is more potent than that of vitamin E, and the antioxidants ward off diabetes and cancer

Honey is better for you than table sugar - and a gauge soaked with honey can help in healing burns and wounds.

Olive Oil regulates blood pressure

Orange peel served in meat dishes lowers cholesterol

Drinking your celery (yup - in a blender) helps arthritis and lowers blood pressure

Ginseng increases energy and stamina and has been used bu China for 5,000 years

Angelica Root reduces menstrual pain, strengthens bones and releases menopause effects

Positions to sleep in to cure insomnia

I took away so much from this book, and will keep it handy for future reference. Nothing in the book involved going out and buying expensive ingredients or equipment.... is in the book, is already in your home.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,254 reviews
February 20, 2015
Written by Dr Ni....a 38th generation doctor of Chinese medicine. Think about that....38 generations of doctors in your family...WOW. Lots of good tips, lots of stuff I've never even heard of but basic rules of eating and living a healthy life style.
Profile Image for Stephen Sanderson.
17 reviews2 followers
January 6, 2011
Quality of life is surely a more worthy aspiration than Quantity of life. In saying that living well and living long are inextricably connected. With a good blend of eastern and western wisdom this book offers a wealth of ideas on how to live well.
Profile Image for Gina House.
Author 3 books124 followers
February 9, 2014
Inspiring and helpful - such a peaceful book for improving your health. I'm on chapter 2 now and I feel like the changes I've made in my life from Chapter 1 are staying with me. Really enjoying this slow and healthy journey.
Profile Image for J Kromrie.
2,514 reviews49 followers
September 11, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Secrets of Longevity, 2nd Edition: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100—The Bestselling Guide, Revised and Expanded by Dr. Mao Shing Ni is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to enhance their well-being and extend their lifespan. This revised and expanded edition builds on the success of the original, offering even more practical advice and insights into living a long, healthy, and joyful life.

Dr. Mao Shing Ni, a renowned expert in longevity and traditional Chinese medicine, combines contemporary scientific research with ancient wisdom to present a holistic approach to aging well. The book is structured around hundreds of actionable tips that cover a wide range of topics, from diet and exercise to mindfulness and environmental health. Each tip is designed to be easily integrated into daily life, making the journey to longevity accessible and enjoyable.

One of the standout features of this edition is its focus on modern challenges and how to navigate them. Dr. Ni addresses issues such as digital wellness, the impact of climate change on health, and the importance of mental health in today’s fast-paced world. This makes the book not only a guide to physical health but also a comprehensive manual for overall well-being in the 21st century.

The writing is clear and engaging, with Dr. Ni’s expertise shining through in every section. He provides practical advice without overwhelming the reader, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply. The inclusion of new tips tailored to contemporary life adds significant value, ensuring that the book remains relevant and useful for today’s readers.

Overall, Secrets of Longevity, 2nd Edition is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in living a longer, healthier life. Dr. Mao Shing Ni’s blend of traditional wisdom and modern science offers a unique perspective on aging, making this book a must-read for health enthusiasts and anyone looking to improve their quality of life. Whether you’re new to the topic or a seasoned wellness advocate, this guide provides a wealth of knowledge that can help you achieve your longevity goals.
Profile Image for Diana Raab.
Author 16 books246 followers
October 8, 2022
Dr. Mao, as he calls himself, is a 38th-generation doctor, and when you visit him, you can feel the wisdom in his bones and words.

This book, to be read sporadically, offers a wealth of ideas on how to not only live longer, but how to stay healthy.

Open to any page and you'll get a surprise nugget or tip to help you live a healthier life. For example, Ni suggests drinking celery juice and three apples each day, and he says that carbonated drinks leach the calcium from our bones. He reminds us that honey is a natural antibiotic and can also be used for stomach ulcers and heartburn, but because of the chance it can harbor botulism, it should not be given to children under the age of one.

Highly recommended for all. A really great reference book that is also very inspiring!
Profile Image for Janet.
793 reviews5 followers
February 1, 2023
This has some interesting tips and quite a few helpful takeaways. It’s from 2006 and could maybe use a reboot. Why is this the second book I’m reading that’s a bit old??! No - more importantly - why did the library that I got them from have them on a current display about simplifying? I’m not gonna call them out, but XXX library, you need to get some timelier displays! Lol.

Also - I love books that say you should cut out sugar. As if!!! Hahaha. I’m laughing so hard that I just snorted some of the powder off my donut.
Profile Image for Meg.
718 reviews22 followers
October 24, 2020
This book has a lot of interesting health advice. I'm not going to follow everything that he suggests, especially when it comes to food and supplements, but it is helpful advice.

Things I liked:
- Gives a lot of information about the nutritional benefits of food.
- It provides the reasoning behind a lot of popular health trends.
- It gives great advice on food, exercise, lifestyle, and mental health.
1,210 reviews
November 8, 2024
Excellent suggestions that readers can pick and choose from, dependent on their lifestyles/needs - many seem like easy changes to incorporate into your life as well.

An absolutely worthwhile read for anyone interested in improving their health and striving to achieve centenarian status.



Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the PDF


Profile Image for Patricia.
24 reviews7 followers
May 5, 2017
This books has some interesting information. The format is concise for easy reading.
599 reviews
December 28, 2017
Valuable!. Clear and well-written -- practical advice if you are not totally caught up in Western medicine and open to options
16 reviews
October 12, 2020
This book has so many herbal remedies! So happy to keep this in my library as a great reference book for natural healing.
Profile Image for Thejessicaness.
104 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2024
A lot of repeat ideas and plenty of new ones considering the book was printed in 2006. I enjoy constantly finding new ways to maintain balance in my life abs within the planet around me.
Profile Image for A Marie DeTour.
20 reviews
October 8, 2024
Very good for newly awakened people who are facing health crisis in their lives. Super basic for regularly healthy individuals but some great routine and recipe ideas for every stage!
Profile Image for Beverly McCall.
Author 2 books28 followers
November 9, 2015
Dr. Mao does a great job revealing common sense steps to a healthier life. I like the way he lays the out in each chapter. In the beginning of each chapter the reader takes a pretest. Based on this data, the reader then interacts with the chapter and then creates an action plan. Dr. Mao gleaned his information for his practice. I also like the way he merges Eastern health philosophy and scientific Western medicine. One caveat, this book should be read in hard copy text instead of a Kindle edition. Hard copy allows for better reader interaction.
Profile Image for Camryn.
9 reviews
August 3, 2007
This book is fun to look at and pick things to do for a week. Parts of it are a little repetitive, but overall it's a neat book to pick through and gives you a deeper insight on why to do things to make yourself healthier. An idea I really liked in it was "Weekday Vegetarian, Weekend Carnivore", it mentions how 1/3 of all cancer patients developed their disease as a result of insufficient whole plant fiber in their diets. It's a neat book to take a peek at.
Profile Image for Becca Lee.
84 reviews15 followers
June 25, 2008
A lot of these things are healthy habits for improving your day-to-day quality of life. This is an American-accessible compilation of maintenance habits and natural remedies that are quite easy to implement in the routine of life. If you're having an aneurysm or a baby, get to the ER - if you have chronic neck pain or insomnia - get yourself some natural care.
Profile Image for Cindy.
444 reviews
March 20, 2011
There are several great tips in this book!
It is split-up between:
1. What you eat, 2. How you Heal, 3. Where you Are, 4. What you do, 5. Who you Are (Relationships, Faith, etc.), and it ends with a Chapter titled 6. Bringing it All Together.
I believe this book would be worthwhile for everyone to read.


1,157 reviews11 followers
May 5, 2016
I really liked this book. Each page is short and sweet, telling you about a technique, herb, or exercise that will help your body be at its peak performance. In fact, I think that I would say that it has so much information in it, that it could be overwhelming. I commend it to tall who desire a more healthy lifestyle.
Profile Image for Jen.
68 reviews3 followers
Want to read
April 10, 2008
This book has great advice. Some of it I can take away with me now and some of it I will want to rediscover a few years from now. But the healthier eating habits, more water and exercise are what Im going to work on for now.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
3 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2009
This is a great book if you are looking for alternatives to your health. I have tried more than a few of the suggestions in this book and they have worked! I think it is a great book and would recommend it to everyone :-) Plus it is really interesting.
Profile Image for Lori.
271 reviews
Read
April 26, 2008
This book had lots of great tidbits... worth checking out!
14 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2008
One of my favorite books! Fun Fact, Quick-Read pages on over 100 secrets and tips for longer and more concious living.
Profile Image for Lisa.
41 reviews1 follower
July 3, 2011
Now I just need to get started on my 8 week plan!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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