Diet
The basis of a good diet is the regulated intake of nutritious and easily digestible foods for health and longevity. The average North American diet consists of 40% fat while the traditional Chinese and Japanese diet consisted of 5%. This fat is not only made up of excess dairy products but also greasy, oily and rich foods which are predominant in the North American diet. Adherents of the traditional Chinese & Japanese diet have lower incidence of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Traditionally, the Chinese preferred cooked food over raw. Most foods consumed were cooked or at least lightly steamed with the exception of seasonal fruits. Cooked foods are easier to digest and the nutrients available are more easily absorbed.
Western society has a predominant preference for serving drinks cold. Pop and sweetened juices are often the drink of choice. Sulfates found in carbonated drinks leach minerals from bones and the sugar content of fruit juices and pop is far too high. “Diet” alternatives for pop and juice are not acceptable substitutes. Many of the sweeteners used instead of sugar are now known to be carcinogenic. Furthermore: it takes approximately five glasses of water to flush the sugar and sulfates from the body after a single can of pop.
Coffee is another very popular beverage choice. Coffee has an interesting relationship with health studies. On any given day it seems studies suggest coffee is good for you or coffee is bad for you. Some sources tell us we should drink up to six cups a day while others tell us it should be avoided altogether. It has been shown that ingredients in the coffee bean triggers the body to produce stress hormones. Decaffeinated coffee is not an acceptable substitute, it still contains the active ingredients that release stress hormones in the body, not to mention the possible effects of the chemical process used to remove the caffeine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory is quite clear about the effects of coffee: it is heating and drying. Regular intake of coffee is not recommended.
Dairy products, much like coffee, are another food category that seems to have a positive and negative relationship with scientific health studies. Traditionally, the Chinese avoid dairy products partly because of an extremely high rate of lactose intolerance amongst Asian adults. TCM also classifies dairy as damaging to the digestion because it creates dampness and phlegm. A TCM teacher I had studied with used to say: “cows milk is only for baby cows”.
Tea is a much better choice. Green tea is high in antioxidants and helps prevent various forms of cancer. Black tea also reduces the risk of some types of cancer reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Both types boost immunity and reduce cholesterol and tests show it can increase bone density. Many find tea served with meals aids digestion.
One of the branches of TCM is Dietary Therapy. This branch combines the TCM theory of digestion and disease with the knowledge of the energetic qualities of foods creating an effective modality for treating common ailments. The following are general guidelines for dietary choices that will maximize health and vitality while protecting the digestive function from damage:
1. Overeating sugar and sweets. Damages digestion as well as depresses the immune system. Sugar intake (especially refined sugar) depresses the immune system by 20%.
2. Excessive cold or chilled food. Ice cream, cold drinks, and foods consumed directly out of the fridge should be avoided. This causes constriction in the digestive tract.
3. Excessive hard to digest foods. Raw food and greasy fried foods are much more difficult to digest than cooked foods and require more calories to be burned in order to digest. Congesting the digestive system with cold, raw, or greasy, hard to digest foods will require more energy to breakdown nutrients and slow down the entire process. This will not enable one to enjoy the full benefit of the nutrition in the food being consumed.
4. Overeating. Clogs the digestive system and slows down the digestive process. One should eat to only to feel 80% full.
5. Worry & over-thinking. In TCM theory the spleen is a factor in digestion. Worry and over-thinking damages its energetic function. Eating while problem solving or worrying should be avoided.
6. Over Taxation. Over work or a chronic illness will deplete your body’s energy and effect digestion. Eating while working or “on the run” is not a healthy choice.
7. Antibiotics. Cold natured and kill off beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract (intestines) which negatively affects the immune system.
8. Under activity. Little to no exercise causes digestive weakness. Taking walks after meals is advised because its aids digestion ands stimulates qi circulation.
Eat meals at regular times and in a relaxed state. Skipping meals and working while eating taxes the digestive system and will create unnecessary fatigue. Do not consume a lot of fluids with meals because it will flood the digestive system. It is recommended that one sips tea or some type of broth with meals.
Exercise
Exercise promotes the movement of energy and blood in the body. Exercise is also beneficial for those suffering with a lot of stress. The exercise not only forces the energy to circulate but also allows the person to “blow off some steam”.
Aerobic exercise is best and should be done every other day for 30 minutes. You may also add some weights into your activities but aerobic exercise is most important. Aerobic exercise is any physical activity that raises one’s heartbeat 80% above their normal resting heartbeat and maintains it for at least 20 minutes.
It is wise to consult with your doctor before starting an exercise program especially if you have a pre-existing health condition or have suffered a physical injury in the past. Choose an exercise routine that is suitable for your level of physical fitness and will not cause physical injury (ie: prone to knee problems, heart conditions etc.). Be sure to choose activities that are not boring because the likelihood of maintaining a routine will be low.
Stretching and flexibility are an important part of exercise. Stretching works the muscle fascia and the fascia surrounding the organs. The fascia surrounding our viscera is what transports the electromagnetic energy (the qi) throughout the body. Flexibility aids and facilitates the circulation of blood and energy. In TCM the ligaments and tendons are related to the liver. Stretching aids in the flow of qi and relaxes the liver which helps deal with stress. Qi circulation will not be impeded if one is relaxed and the muscles are supple.
Relaxation = Healing
According to TCM theory good health is characterized by qi that is flourishing and flowing throughout the body free of blockages. Qi and blood cannot flow freely if the muscles and body are tense. Body/Mind exercise such as T’ai Chi, Qigong and Yoga serve to relax the mind and body while cultivating one’s sensitivity to the qi circulation. We generally tense our muscles, especially the muscles in our upper back and shoulders, when we feel frustrated or stressed. At the same time, many of us hold our breath. In TCM, this tension constricts the flow of energy in the body.
Many people in the world today do not know how to relax. Gently concentrated, deep breathing is a simple and effective exercise to help one de-stress and relax. Relaxation can lower blood pressure, aid with anxiety disorders, body temperature, appetite, digestion, sleep, energy and mood. Studies have shown meditation and relaxation exercises practiced by those with gastro-intestinal disorders found it to be a useful adjunct to therapy. It is important to keep this a daily practice in order for it to be effective.
Preventative Maintenance
TCM excels at what is termed “preventative medicine”. The TCM medical system works very well at diagnosing imbalances in the very early stages and treating them before they progress to more serious diseases.
A saying in Chinese medicine goes: “The great healer can treat the problem before the disease manifests, the medium healer treats the disease after it has appeared.” While this statement rings true, even the greatest healer cannot help someone who does not come in for a check-up! Fine-tuning of the body’s various systems on a regular basis (whether it be acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, or herbal therapy) would be an excellent way to prevent illness from taking root. Ideally, healthy individuals would make the use of such services every four to six weeks for quality preventative therapy.
With proper treatment and proper education about appropriate lifestyle and diet choices, most health conditions or concerns can be effectively dealt with. It has also been scientifically verified that acupuncture triggers a relaxation response, lowers elevated blood pressure, improves circulation and calms the nerves.
Unfortunately, the modern world is full of toxic byproducts and pollution. Our lives are burdened with greater stress while our level of activity and exposure to fresh air has been reduced. A healthy lifestyle paired with preventative health care is now indispensable in our efforts to achieve optimal health and well being.
Take an active part in your own health and vitality!
No comments:
Post a Comment