Traditional Chinese Medicine, Alternative Medicine, and Antiaging: Traditional Chinese Medicine and Antiaging

The “Huangdi Neijing Lingshu,” written 2000 years ago, states that “a good doctor treats pre-disease, not post-disease.” In our country, the “Nourishing Life Teachings” (Kaibara Ekiken) argue that to stay healthy in old age, it is important to “imagine yourself when you are sick and be cautious.” Aging is inevitable, but the quality of health that accompanies it can change depending on how we live now, a fact known since ancient times. “Treating pre-disease” means predicting future diseases such as vascular aging, brain aging, and cancer, and considering what can be done now. In other words, anti-aging in traditional Chinese medicine is nothing but conducting Chinese medicine treatment and nourishing life (improving lifestyle) to stop the progression of potential health problems in the future.