A few weeks ago, I noticed something wasn't quite right. My energy was dropping, and my memory wasn't as sharp as it had been. Perhaps it was stress, working too much, or simply not taking enough time to recharge. Whatever the reason, I knew I needed to pay attention.

As someone who has spent more than four decades studying health, longevity, and Medical Qi Gong, I've learned to listen carefully when my body begins sending signals. I think of those signals as an internal fire alarm. Rather than ignore them, I ask myself, "What is my body trying to tell me?"

As I looked at my lifestyle, diet, and daily habits, I was reminded of one of the oldest principles in Traditional Chinese Medicine: many of the most powerful medicines are actually foods.