Perhaps a book with a message about a healthy lifestyle written by doctor Hong Zhaoguang: "Taking the Healthy Train".

As a cardiologist at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Dr Hong put together his own formula of preventive medicine which basically consists of telling people to take care of themselves in very simple language.

His self-help health message first captured the hearts and minds of ministers in Zhongnanhai in Beijing, and then several million Chinese people from all around the country over the last two years.

His books are bestsellers in all bookstores, with statistics showing over 6 million copies sold in over seven editions. His lectures, given several times a week around the country, have attracted a total audience of 600,000.

In addition, at least 68 recordings based on his lectures are circulating among the Chinese.

Health revolution

No book or health campaign has ever been so successful at reaching a vast number of people as Hong's health lectures and books. To call it the "Chinese health revolution" is no exaggeration at all.

In China, as people are stepping into the Xiaokang (well-off) society and seeking a high-quality life, there is a growing realization that health is the most important issue, even though relevant knowledge is still a blank to many.

Dr. Hong gave an example: a rich peasant family had an annual income of over 200,000 yuan (US$24,000), but all seven family members shared one toothbrush because they thought it was unnecessary to brush their teeth.

On the other side, medical costs in China have skyrocketed and people need to help themselves, seeking complimentary or alternative healing practices instead of getting sick and going to hospital.

The only prescription for a growing healthcare crisis is to change people's behaviour by motivating individuals to take up the cudgels on behalf of their own health in a scientific way.

In Hong's book, there are many examples of self-help health methods. For example, one patient had high blood pressure for 12 years.

If he had taken one pill a day only costing 0.30 yuan, he would not have suffered serious arteriosclerosis and uraemia. Over the last 10 years, his medical costs reached 900,000 yuan (US$109,000).

Simple language

The main reason why Hong's books are so popular is their simple language, using short sentences that are easy to remember. Readers can understand the health knowledge and commit it to memory very quickly.

Besides, the methods he introduced are also very simple to use.

While other experts give people health advice, they talk about grams and calories in a way that is too complicated to follow.

In this book, the healthy lifestyle is summarized in four phrases: proper diet, moderate exercise, no smoking and reduced drinking, balanced mental status.

As for proper diet, five colours of foods are recommended. Red for tomato and red wine; yellow for carrot, sweet potato or other red yellow vegetables rich in vitamin A; green for tea; white for oat foods; black for jew's-ear.

There are also the "four bests": the best doctor is you; the best medicine is time; the best state of mind is peace; the best exercise is walking.

Also, the "three morning half-minutes": lie in bed for half a minute after waking; sit up for half a minute after rising; then sit for a another half minute with legs hanging over the bed.

Dr Hong places a strong emphasis on emotional and mental health. His recipe for his "Eight Treasures Soup" is: one loving heart; two inches of kindness; three portions of justice; four qualities of tolerance, filial piety, honesty, sacrifice and no regrets.

Put the eight elements into the pot of an open-mind; add fairness, quietness, thoughtfulness, and you are done.

Scientists say people's life expectation could be 120 years old. Hong's self-help health guidance shows people a way to realize that dream.

(Shanghai Star February 14, 2003)