Weight loss strategies can work but the results are often short-lived. This is usually due to internal organ imbalances.
After a thorough intake and evaluation, I determine the imbalance and a treatment plan. If there is no imbalance, or once the imbalance is resolved with herbs and acupuncture, I create an individualized spread sheet with lists of food to eat, lists of foods to avoid, and a detailed weight loss plan with appropriate fitness.
Many plans consist of stages. Each stage is different as the body’s metabolism changes. The body must continually adjust to the weight loss. My plans are designed to minimize discomfort while maximizing results.
The old faulty food pyramid with high grain intake is a model for diabetes. The new food pyramid with high bovine milk intake is a model for inflammatory disease. See my page on Nutrition. I prefer TCM nutrition theory which focuses on a balance of five flavors correlating to Five Element Theory.
Five Element Theory Chart
FIRE |
EARTH |
METAL |
WATER |
WOOD |
|
Yin Organs |
|||||
Yang Organs |
|||||
Sense Organs |
Tongue |
Mouth |
Nose |
Ears |
Eyes |
Colors |
red |
yellow |
white |
blue/black |
green |
Sounds |
Laughing |
Singing |
Crying |
Groaning |
Shouting |
Emotions |
Joy |
Worry/Pensiveness |
Grief/Sadness |
Fear |
Anger |
Seasons |
Summer |
Late Summer |
Autumn |
Winter |
Spring |
Environment |
Heat |
Dampness |
Dryness |
Cold |
Wind |
Tastes |
Bitter |
Sweet |
Pungent |
Salty |
Sour |
While the chart is helpful as a TCM diagnosis and treatment tool, it is the tastes, seasons and environmental relationships which have the strongest basis in nutrition. The relationships between organs help to apply this framework to nutrition.
In Five Element theory, there are two main organ cycles: generating and controlling. The Generating Cycle shows that Fire, for example, helps support Earth and the Control Cycle shows that Fire controls the growth of Metal. To understand how this might be applied, take a person experiencing problems with asthma. Asthma is a Metal (Lung) condition sometimes with an underlying psychological component of grief or sadness. From a TCM perspective, Asthma may present as a phlegm-damp condition. Following the five element theory, then, we see that the Earth (Spleen) may be weak (phlegm-damp coming from poor digestion, etc.) and not supporting Metal (Lung) resulting in an Asthmatic condition.
The chart below describes some of the common foods which serve to nourish their respective element:
FIRE (bitter) |
EARTH (sweet) |
METAL (pungent) |
WATER (salty) |
WOOD (sour) |
|
Grains |
Amaranth Corn |
Millet Barley |
Rice |
Buckwheat |
Oats Wheat Rye |
Legumes |
Red Lentil |
Garbanzo Peas |
Navy Soy |
Aduki Black Kidney Pinto |
Green Lentil Mung Lima |
Nuts/Seeds |
Sunflower Pistachio |
Pine Nut Pumpkin |
Almonds |
Black Sesame Walnut |
Brazil Cashew |
Vegetables |
Beet Dandelion Root Okra Red Bell Pepper Scallion Tomato |
Cabbage Carrot Parsnip Rutabaga Spinach Squash |
Asparagus Broccoli Celery Cucumber Mustard Green Onion Radish |
Kale Mushrooms Seaweeds Water chestnut |
Green Bell Pepper Green Pea Lettuce String Bean Zucchini |
Fruits |
Cherry Persimmon |
Fig Orange Papaya Pineapple Strawberry |
Apricot Banana Pear |
Mulberry Pomegranate Raspberry Watermelon |
Avocado Grape Lemon Lime Plum |
Cautions |
Chocolate Sugar |
Meat |
Eggs |
Cheese |
Soft Dairy |
Using the above chart and our example of Phlegm-Damp type Asthma, Five Element theory would suggest eating foods which strengthen the Metal (Lung), Earth (Spleen) and Fire (Heart) Elements. From the chart one would choose a majority of foods from the Metal grouping and ample selections from both the Earth and Fire categorizations until the condition changes. An example of food choices, with functions from Paul Pitchford’s Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition would be:
- Brown Rice – increases qi, strengthens spleen
- Navy Beans – sweet flavor, benefits the lungs and spleen (both aspects of the metal element)
- Almonds – relieve stagnant qi of the lungs, transform phlegm
- Mustard Greens – influence lungs, clear chest congestion, improve energy circulation
- Onions – resolves phlegm and inflammations of the upper respiratory system
- Radish – transforms phlegm
- Pear – affects the lungs, eliminates phlegm
- Avoid – dairy (which may add mucus/phlegm), meat (which may weaken the spleen) and sweeteners (which may weaken the spleen and contribute to dampness)
While this information is intended to provide basic theory, it is important to note that there are different food groupings which come from a variety of TCM theories:
Therapeutic Actions
- Bitter (Fire) foods are generally cooling (yin) & encourage contraction and descending of energy
- Sweet (Earth) foods are generally strengthening (yang) & encourage energy to expand up and out
- Pungent (Metal) foods are generally warming (yang) & encourage energy to expand and move out
- Salty (Water) foods are generally cooling (yin) & encourage energy to move in and down
- Sour (Wood) foods are generally cooling (yin) & encourage energy to contract and collect
Seasons
The current season will also play a role in which foods you may choose to eat. In the summer (fire, hot) we require more cooling foods and in the winter (water, cold) we require more warming, deeply nourishing foods.
Nutritional Therapy Based on TCM Disorders
In TCM theory there are a number of factors which either cause or are the result of disease. The factors can be physical or climatic factors such as heat, cold, wind, dampness and dryness. These factors can be both internal and external such as a cold condition from using too much internal energy or a heat condition from an external source such as radiation. There are also emotional factors which tie into the Five Element theory above, such as anger effecting the functioning of the Liver leading to headaches, for example, or excessive joy affecting the heart leading to insomnia.
TCM diagnosis does not usually carry any association western medical diagnosis. For example, a “headache” might be a Qi or Blood stagnation pattern. From a nutritional standpoint it is important to understand what each diagnosis means and how to recover by choosing appropriate foods.
The following chart describes food choices which may be helpful for a particular TCM pattern. It should be mentioned that the Spleen is of the utmost importance in the majority of these disorders when looked at from a nutritional perspective. The Spleen is the foundation of digestion and consequently plays a primary role in the production of Qi and Blood in the body. Thus, food choices, cooking styles and eating habits which benefit the Spleen, benefit the person overall regardless of the condition.
Diagnosis |
Supportive Foods |
Qi Deficiency » symptoms – fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, pale face, weak spirit » tongue – pale w/thin coat » pulse – empty | Indicates an imbalance of the Spleen – Foods that are easy to digest, warming, and nourishing should be used. Those from the Earth element are helpful choices. – Millet, Garbanzo Beans, Pine Nuts, Figs, Dates, Squash, Carrots, Cabbage, and Small portions of Meat, if desired |
Qi Stagnation » symptoms – similar signs as qi Xu and pain that is not fixed in the chest / hypochondriac areas » tongue – white coat » pulse – wiry or tight | Also an imbalance of the Spleen. – Food choices similar to those for Qi Deficiency are good choices. Preparing them in ways that are even easier to digest such as soups may also be helpful as well as adding small amounts of strongly moving substances such as black pepper. |
Dampness » symptoms – poor appetite, chest oppression, loose stools » tongue – thick white/yellow coat » pulse – slippery, slow or rapid | Dampness is also a Spleen related imbalance – Generally it is the result of long-term qi Xu but may also arise quickly from a diet that contains too many cold, raw foods, excessive dairy products, greasy foods, animal products, alcohol. – Adding foods that dry dampness such as rye, scallions and turnips and limiting the foods listed above which contribute to dampness. |
Blood Deficiency » symptoms – fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, numbness, blurred vision » tongue – pale w/thin coat » pulse – thin | Blood deficiency is usually seen as a result of long-term qi xu. The Chinese term, Bloodis used in a much broader way than the western idea of blood. However, blood xu may still arise from traumas, childbirth, and menstrual issues such as heavy bleeding.Generally foods that supplement the Spleen are considered good choices. Dark leafy greens, spinach, grapes, lotus root, cayenne pepper, and small amounts of meat products, especially liver, are beneficial additions to help production and circulation of Blood. |
Blood Stagnation » symptoms – dull complexion, petechiae, fixed pain » tongue – purple / purple spots » pulse – deep, choppy, /wiry | Often a deeper manifestation of qi stagnation but may also arise from trauma – The foods for Blood deficiency are useful in addition to those which strongly move the Blood in the body such as turmeric, garlic, scallions, chives, egg plant and adzuki beans. |
Heat Condition » symptoms – sweating, sore throat, thirst, red face, headache, skin outbreaks, anxiety » tongue – red, dry, yellow coat » pulse – rapid, maybe floating a/or wiry | Heat may show up in a variety of ways depending on the underlying condition. From a nutritional perspective it is most important to understand whether it is a “full-heat” or a “false-heat.” “Full-heat” is an excess condition that can be helped by consuming cool foods. “False-heat”, however, indicates heat from an underlying xu which could be worsened by an excessive consumption of cool foods. – Fruits and raw vegetables, including salads, are generally cooling and beneficial for a heat condition. Limiting foods that create heat in the body such as dairy, meats, and alcohol is also important. |
Cold Condition » symptoms – fatigue, poor appetite, pain improved by heat » tongue – white coat / blue body » pulse – slow/floating a/or tight | As with heat, cold may show up in a variety of conditions and appear as “full-cold” or a “false-cold” condition where a person has a heat condition but is experiencing a sensation of cold (chills with a fever) – Warming and moving foods like cayenne, cinnamon, ginger, and onions are important for this. Limiting cooling foods esp. raw foods and fruit juices are important |
Nutritional Guidelines
Foods to Consider:
- Quinoa
- Coconut
- Blueberries
- Fresh Fish
- Free Range meat
- Rice Milk
- High quality nuts
- Organic Fruits and Vegetables
As a further aid to nutrition there are some useful guidelines that come to us from historical texts as well as modern research. They are listed below in historical order:
Written in 203 AD, the Taisho Tripitaka contains sutra – Containing Pronouncements
(Paul Unschuld’s Medicine in China: A History of Ideas):
It stated: there are nine causes for the premature, unexpected end to human life.
The first five of these are related to diet (listed below). The others are related to proper conduct.
- eating what should not be eaten – foods which are out of season or bad for you as an individual
- immoderate eating – consumption in excess of one’s needs
- eating contrary to custom (odd hours / varieties which are new without adjusting)
- failure to discharge the old before the arrival of the new
- intentional retention of digested foods (suppressing natural processes such as belching, vomiting, gas, urination, and bowel movements)
Ed Bauman, Ph.D – a noted nutritional therapist and founder of Bauman College, provides the following clear and concise guidelines for a healthy diet:
- Vegetables: 2-4 cups/day, raw, cooked or fermented
- Fruits: 1 cup/day, fresh, seasonal and ripe
- Seeds: 2 tablespoons/day, soaked, raw or roasted
- Whole Grains: 2 cups/day, soaked and cooked
- Legumes: 1 cup/day, sprouted, soaked and slow cooked
- Booster Foods: fish, seaweeds, herbs – garlic, ginger cayenne
- Occasional Foods: poultry, eggs, oils, avocado, olives, yogurt
Denny Waxman, a macrobiotic counselor and educator provides the following 10 Steps to Strengthening Health:
- Sit down to Regular meals every day
- Eat slowly and chew your food well
- Stop eating at least three hours before bedtime
- Eat cereal grains and vegetable dishes with every meal
- Regularly incorporate a variety of natural, healthy foods into your diet
- Have 1 or 2 bowls of vegetable soup every day
- Give yourself a daily body rub with a hot, damp cloth
- Walk for 30 minutes every day
- Wear pure cotton clothing next to your skin
- Surround yourself with green plants
Prevent cancer by reducing inflammation, insulin and infections
by: Connie Strasheim
Inflammation, infections and excessive levels of insulin in the body are major instigators of cancer. Often, they occur together, and most people in modern society suffer from some degree of all three. Yet, it is possible to reduce their influence upon the body and thereby dramatically lower cancer risk.
Inflammation can cause cancer because it generates free radicals that damage DNA and create cell mutations which lead to cancer. Many things cause inflammation, including: refined sugar, pasteurized dairy products, polyunsaturated oils, charred, overcooked and processed food, GMOs, pesticides, and artificial food additives like MSG. Since allergies cause inflammation, common food allergens, such as peanuts, soy and gluten, can be cancer-causing if a person is allergic to them. Environmental toxins, such as mercury, electromagnetic radiation and industrial chemicals, also cause inflammation as do infections.
Maintaining a diet free of the above, and which is high in free radical-quenching antioxidants and phytochemicals, reduces inflammation and thereby helps to prevent cancer. Colorful vegetables and fruits such as berries contain high levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Many high fiber foods, such as beans, brown rice, and sesame seeds have anti-cancer properties.
Consuming food in as natural a state as possible also keeps inflammation at bay. Vegetables, fruits, lean meat, legumes and complex carbohydrates should be organic, non-genetically-modified, and free of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics. Additionally, many nutrients and spices, such as omega-3 fish oil, turmeric, ginger, and Vitamins A and D, contain anti-inflammatory substances which are proven to be beneficial for prevention.
Removing toxins from the body and home is also important for reducing inflammation. Natural toxin binders such as chlorella, apple pectin and French green clay remove many environmental toxins from the body. DMSA and alpha-lipoic acid, when taken together, effectively remove heavy metals. Some ways to remove cancer-causing substances from the home include: getting rid of synthetic household cleaning products and replacing them with natural ones; living away from cell phone and microwave towers, and reducing cell and cordless phone use. Eliminating exposure to DNA-damaging radiation and chemicals reduces cancer risk.
Infections can also instigate cancer because the body’s response to infection is to create inflammation. Some types of pathogens can also directly cause cell mutations, such as human papilloma viruses (HPV). People with chronic infections, such as Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr and XMRV viruses, Candida and mold, are at a higher risk for cancer than people who don’t have such infections. Treating infections with antimicrobial herbs, homeopathy and other natural remedies, while maintaining a low-inflammatory diet, can reduce the effects of infections upon the body.
Finally, excess levels of insulin trigger cancer. This is because insulin is a hormone that encourages cellular growth, and cancer cells have 6-10 times the number of insulin receptors on the surface of their cell membranes as normal cells. Since we all have cancer cells in our bodies, nobody is exempt from developing cancer as a result of excessive amounts of insulin.
Most people in the US have high levels of insulin due to diets high in all of the aforementioned cancer-causing foods, as well as environmental toxins, disease processes and a fast-paced lifestyle. Lowering high insulin levels (along with inflammation and infections) with the strategies mentioned in this article can reduce the body’s risk of developing cancer.