Essentials of Health Protection and Disease Prevention Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine

To live long and healthier is a goal for almost everybody, as well as for our healthcare professionals. Average life-span is prolonged and our living standard is also better and better. We not only want to live longer, but also want to live healthier. How can we achieve this goal?

Many people have articles and books on this subject, and we do learn a lot from them. Here I am going to talk briefly and practically about this topic in the view point of Chinese medicine. There are four parts: balanced diet, constant physical exercise, positive emotions and awareness of health protection and disease prevention.

1. Balanced Diet

Balanced diet is the most important factor for our health. Common saying like “hundred diseases are related to your diet” or “watch your mouth and use your legs” are all about the importance of diet. Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that kidney is the primary basis for our body and spleen and stomach is the acquired basis. The function of the spleen and stomach (in Chinese medicine) is to take care of the intake, digestion of food and discharge of wastes from the intestines. It is almost equal to the digestive system in modern medicine. Everybody rely on the function of the spleen and stomach after their birth.

The essentials for us are to have balanced diet and variety of foods. The foods we eat are more or less of different properties as yin or yang, cold or hot, nourishing yin or strengthening yang, tonifying qi or reinforcing blood, or supplementing essence, etc. Some foods may produce damp-heat, and some may cause cold or stagnations. Only when we have balanced diet, can our body get even nutrition and not have imbalances between yin and yang, qi and blood, and we can live more healthily.

Balanced diet is to eat different variety of foods. If we can eat all type of foods, including grains, vegetables, fruits and sources of protein, etc, we do not have to take bottled food supplements. We should live naturally with food, not food supplements. At least, to eat is one of our basic needs and enjoy of our life.

Understanding the compositions in our foods is helpful, but it is not a good idea to choose foods based on this. It is not practical and it is sometimes confusing. There are people having high cholesterol, but they rarely eat any food contains cholesterol. The reason is that our body does not function that simply, it is a complicated combination of all the systems. Only when we provide balanced and even environment, can it be possibly function well. Also remember, balanced diet does not mean all the foods you are eating should have the same amount of serving, a modification of the amount of different type of food is necessary based on ones constitution. Be picky with food and food cravings are enemies of health.

We should not overeat or starve. A regular and low salt and low sugar diet is always a good habit. Try to eat more natural non-processed food. Drinking enough water is important for maintaining our body metabolism.

2. Constant Physical Exercise

There is a saying “life is move”, without movement, there is no life. We often define one natural thing whether it is alive or not by its movements. Appropriate amount of constant physical exercise is good for: (1) circulate qi and blood, promote metabolism; (2) inhale clear qi and expel wastes; (3) exercise our organs to obtain their coordination; (4) adjust our emotions, and connect with nature; (5) help the movement of the stomach and intestines, improve digestion and absorption; and (6) enhance memory and alertness and keep good coordination of our movements, etc.

Exercises are of different forms, times and locations. Many people like to go to the gym. That is one good way because it always reminds you to do the exercise and besides the facilities there will give you more fun and interests. I like outdoor exercise too, because it has no limit of time and location, and you can get closer to life and nature. Walking, jogging, bicycling, football, tennis, qigong and Taiji etc. are all good exercises. We can go to the beach, go hiking in mountains, go to the parks or just walk around the neighborhood or in the shopping centers. Outdoor exercises enables you to get fresh air, know more about the local community or even to meet or chat with friends. Regular constant physical exercise is a must for our health.

3. Positive Emotions and Attitude towards Life

In Chinese medicine, besides the seven exogenous pathogenic factors, dietary factors and stress and exertions, seven emotional factors are also closely related to the occurrence of diseases. These emotions include joy, anger, grief, worry (over-thinking), sadness, fear and fright. Normal emotions are good to the health, but severe and long-lasting emotions are very harmful. They will influence the circulation of Qi (energy) and blood, and as a result, to cause diseases.

Over-joy and sadness cause sluggish flow of Qi and blood, weaken motivation; anger causes qi to rise, leading to hot temper and hypertension; over-grief and worry will cause Qi and blood to stagnate, leading to the stagnation and consumption of blood and essence; fright causes chaos of qi and blood, makes one feel like at a loss; fear causes qi to go down, and weakens the muscles, tendons and bones. We are surrounded by a lot of bad emotions which is mostly from the modern stressful life style, such as mental tension, frustration, loneliness, anxiety, nervousness, anger, worry, sadness and grief, etc. Therefore, we need to find ways to avoid or to resolve these bad emotions. If we can successfully balance our emotions, more than half of the diseases, which you might get from emotional disturbances, will disappear.

4. Awareness of Health Protection and Disease Prevention

Science is developing and our life standard is improving. More and more people live longer and healthier, and they spend more and more money on food supplements, nutrients and tonics. But besides the previous factors, what else are also important for a healthy long life?

(1) Good combination of work and rest, appropriate outlook on life and material value.

(2) Get regular physical check-up, lab tests and other medical examinations recommended by your doctors.

(3) Make friends and share ideas and love with them.

(4) Follow the nature of things and do not go opposite to the law of nature, to grow, not kill, get connected to nature.

(5) Control weight and desires, including material desire, sex desire and food desire, keep positive emotions and attitude with life. Be happy with what you have and be easy-going with people.

(6) According to individual constitution, some necessary food supplements can be added. Based on the evaluation by Chinese medicine, you can also use Chinese herbal supplements to balance yin yang, regulate qi and blood, expel toxins, strengthen blood and body essence, etc.

I think there are some differences between modern western food supplements and oriental Chinese herbal supplements. The western food supplements, such as vitamins and minerals are to provide materials for your body, like the parts of a computer; and oriental Chinese herbal supplements are to stimulate the physiological functions and ability to process and use these materials as well as to provide materials for the body, like the software and hardware of a computer. If the two type of supplements can be combined nicely, you will get the most benefit so that you can live a healthy long life.

(by Dr. Qisheng Guan, May 9, 2010)

Acupuncture and Herb Clinic

1532 Anacapa Street, suite 7, santa Barbara, CA 93101 Tel: 805-965-6070/805-689-1979

Website: www.acupuncture999.com

Health Preservation and Four Seasons

In ancient medical classic, Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, there are discussions on the health preservation in accord with the four seasons.

In spring, everything is growing and flourishing. During this period, let things grow and do not kill them, give not take away, and give reward but not punish. After a night of sleep people should get up early and take a walk briskly around the yard; they should wear comfortably, loosen their hair and slow down their movements to relax their body. This will promote your liver energy and balance the emotions.

Summer is the time of luxurious growth and flourishing. Everything is in bloom and begins to bear fruit. The energy of the heaven and earth intermingles and Yang qi of the body moves outward. At this time, emotions should be expressed out but not angry and important plans should be carried out. People should go to bed early and get up early and try to get some warmth from the sunlight. In this way, the energy of the heart can be strengthened.

Autumn is the period of tranquility and reaping. The qi of the heaven is cool and the qi of the earth is clear and falling. People should have a peaceful mind in order to lessen the killing power of the autumn. Soul and spirit should be gathered together to nourish lung and improve the immunity of the body.

Winter is a period of closing and storing. Everything had withered and scattered about. The nature is as if in a state of hibernation. People should go to bed early and get up late to wait the sun to rise and they should try to escape cold and seek warmth. This will help the g rowing of Yang qi of the kidney. In winter, people should suppress and conceal their wishes as though they had no internal purpose, as though they had been fulfilled. Their life and work should not be stressful, and they should relax themselves for gathering energy for the next year. It is not good to perspire upon the skin in winter because sweating will disturb Yang qi of the body.

This is some thought in Neijing on health preservation in accord with the four seasons. Don’t you think one’s whole life, from youth to middle-aged, to old-aged, is also like these? (By Tiger, Lic. Ac. OMD)

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

(For Chinese-Americans Originally)

Living in the United States, we all care about our health. Although we have been having yearly medical checkups and paid close attention to our living style and diet, we haven’t done enough to prevent the occurrence of diseases and to take the advantage of alternative medicines, especially ancient Chinese medicine.

It is not correct to abandon the use of western medicine because of the toxicity and side effects of western drugs, and it is also not correct to neglect the use of traditional Chinese medicine because of the bad news or experiences with Chinese medicine from the improper use. From the development of Traditional Chinese medicine in China and the spreading of it over the world, we will know its value. Modern western medicine, of about 1-2 hundred years history, cannot completely replace Traditional Chinese Medicine. This is not because I am a practitioner of Chinese medicine, but I have enough knowledge of Western medicine and experience to say that. Both Western medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine have their advantages and disadvantages. If we can use their advantages, we can get the most benefits to keep us healthy and to live longer. Many Americans have realized this, I am sure, we, with the influence of Chinese culture will understand what I meant to.

You probably are going to ask: “what are the advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine?” There are too many. My simple answer would be: (1) prevention of disease and preservation of health; (2) replace and addition to some of the western medicine treatments; (3) aid the western medicine to improve human health, that is to treat diseases that western medicine cannot treat.

(1) Prevention of disease and preservation of health

Before the diagnosis of a western disease, we already have imbalances in our system, or in another word, primary pathological changes. Western doctors will not treat them until it is well diagnosed. Differently, Traditional Chinese medicine can treat and prevent the occurrence of the diseases by regulating the imbalances of the body. This include: regulate yin and yang, reinforce your body Zheng qi (immunity), expel pathogenic factors such as heat, cold, dampness, phlegm, stagnant blood, etc.

(2) Replace and addition to some of the western medicine treatments

This needs further study and more research. We can use Chinese medicine to support chemo or radiation therapies, treat many of the side effects caused by western drugs, replace or reduce the use of hormone therapies, etc.

(3) Aid the western medicine to improve human health, to treat diseases that western medicine cannot treat

We are not happy with many of the treatments by western medicine, or western medicine does not really any treatment for many diseases. What they do now is only relieve the symptoms or just maintaining the condition with taking drugs forever. Traditional Chinese medicine has a lot of advantages to treat many of such diseases including many of the psychological and emotional disorders, functional imbalances, early structural problems, such as depression, bipolar, insomnia, pains, muscular and joint diseases, gynecological diseases, allergies, skin conditions, early hypertension, hair loss, stress, functional eye diseases, digestive disorders, low immunity, auto-immune diseases, improving heart health, liver and gallbladder disorders, functional kidney diseases, gastric and intestinal diseases, etc.

At last, I want to say that there are a lot of controversies and opposite news on Traditional Chinese medicine. The main reason for this is the ignorance of this medicine and many improper use of it. This is not the fault of Chinese medicine. If you can find a good knowledgeable and experienced Chinese medical doctor, you will be happy with all the TCM benefit you can obtain.

Summer, a good time to loose weight

A hot and humid summer decreases one’s appetite so to loose some weight in summer is easy. Unfortunately this is not the case for Santa Barbara because of its perfect weather. An overweight body not only influences one’s looking, but may also cause other medical problems such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia and fatty liver, thus pay attention to weight control in summer is many people’s concern.

Drink

Water is necessary to keep a healthy metabolism of the body. Drink enough water or tea instead of soft drinks, beer or ice cream. Green tea, lotus leaf tea or chrysanthemum tea are helpful for loosing weight.

Food

Eat balanced diet, have breakfast and have small, multiple and regular meals is good to keep good figure. Eat 3-5 times a day. Keep low-sugar, low-fat diet, increase vegetables and fruits and keep good smooth bowel movements. The following foods or food supplements are beneficial to weight loss:

Seed of Job’s tears, red bean, wax gourd, poria, tangerine peel, hawthorn fruit, He Shou Wu, mushroom, cucumber, celery, Napa cabbage, carrot, mung bean, apple, eggplant, tomato, onion, rice vinegar, etc.

Exercise

Exercise may not reduce your weight obviously but it will promote body metabolism and transfer body fat into muscle. The good time to do the exercise is in the morning before 9 am or in the evening after sunset. Walking is good for every body, but it would be better if you can do some stronger exercise such as running, swimming, playing tennis, bicycling, and hiking, etc.

Herbal or acupuncture treatment

After trying different methods, some people are still not able to loose weight. This indicates that their bodies are undergoing more obvious imbalances and need therapeutic treatments, such treatments as herbal therapy and acupuncture. The treatment will help to resolve body dampness, expel phlegm, promote urination, clean the intestines, improve digestion, strengthen the spleen and move the liver qi. Finally the balance of the enzymes, endocrine system and metabolism will be restored.

Welcome to my blog

Hi, Every Friends
I have just set up this blog so that i can have another space to talk with friends and people who are interested in Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, especially herbal medicine.

I am so glad that we can share our opinions here and talk about what we concern, our health, our happiness and our future. Feel free to comment on my blog and send any request if i can be any help.

Check my new website at:

http://www.acupuncture999.com/

have a great day.

By Tiger