Chinese medicine perspective on Weight Loss

By: Ricardo Dacosta
aka: Raghavendra Giri

In Chinese Medicine is understood that an overweight person has two enemies in the body; fats and water. One important thing is to get rid of those enemies and the other is to keep them out of the body. Can you think of one element in nature that would eliminate both, fats and water? FIRE! How can fire get rid of fats? By burning them. How can fire get rid of water? By boiling it!

Like most of us, you have probably tried a variety of diets, and may even have managed to do well on some for a few weeks or even months. However, the emphasis such diets place on willpower, deprivation and denial is both unnecessary and counter-productive. The reality is that, unless you have a plan that is practical, works with your lifestyle and takes your individuality into account, it will not last. I can help you to create such a plan

Excess of Weight

An overweight condition is best approached by seeing it as it is, just another excess to be eliminated in a successful dietary transition. It is my experience that most overweight people who change to a diet based on whole grains, vegetables, small amount of animal products and other unrefined food can expect to loose weight.

An overweight condition is not always cause by overeating, since there are many thin people who overeat, but by a Deficiency of the Spleen Qi & Yang. If the Spleen Qi is Deficient, the body looses the ability to transform foods & liquids into energy and if the Yang of the Spleen is Deficient, it creates a Cold condition in the Spleen which causes stagnation of both foods & liquids.

The energy in the body stored as weight comes from three sources: proteins and carbohydrates, each of which contributes four calories per gram; and fats, which yield nine calories per gram. Gaining weight from fats, therefore, is twice as easy as from proteins and carbohydrates. The great majority of fats consumed by people comes from animal products. Even “3% butterfat milk” acquires 49% of its total calories from fat, and the calories in 2% milk are 32% fat. When fats are eaten, the digestion of all foods is retarded. The secretion of hydrochloric acid by the stomach diminishes with increased fat intake.

Highly process foods such as refined sugars and flours also upset the metabolism. These devitalized foods are deficient in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes necessary for proper digestion. Whole foods, therefore are preferable. Moderate regular exercise is also essential for a smooth flow of blood and energy through the body, and for overcoming the stagnancy of excess weight.

Strengthening the Spleen Qi & Yang

A great way to strengthen the Qi & Yang of the Spleen is by combining dietary adjustments with specific herbal formulas. Chinese herbal formulas to tonify the Qi & Yang of the Spleen have been used for 2000 years or more with great success. I am not going to talk about herbal formulas in this issue because they are far more complex. If you are interested in such formulas, give us a call and we can set up a free consultation for you.

Dietary recommendations in Chinese Medicine regarding weight loss emphasizes bitter and pungent flavors (which dries excess water and eliminates fats) and limit sweet, salty and sour foods.

• Whole grains: grains have a sweet flavor, so those with a bitter component should be emphasize, like rye, quinoa, amaranth and oats. For weight loss, oats are ideally. The best rice to use is basmati rice because of its pungency. Corn is also appropriate since it is a diuretic.
• Beans: are also classified as having a “sweet” flavor. Nevertheless, legumes have a drying, diuretic effect, and any of them except soybeans are recommended. Aduki and mung beans are especially helpful.
• Vegetables: Nearly all vegetables are useful for weight loss, with the exception of the very watery types; cucumbers, zucchini and the very sweet ones; sweet potatoes, yam, winter squash. Alfalfa can promote weight loss and can be included on regular basis.
• Nuts, seeds and oils: Foods from this category should be used sparingly if at all, since they are high in fats. Flax seed oil is recommended, since it increases metabolism and the rate of fat burn-off.
• Sea Vegetables: Although salty, their iodine content and wide range of amino acids and minerals help regulate weight loss.
• Fruit and sweeteners: Very sweet fruits (figs, dates, and dried fruit) can inhibit weight loss. Also to be used sparingly are the starchy or oily fruits including banana, avocado and coconut. A daily lemon or grapefruit, eaten with its seeds, can be an excellent weight loss remedy. Common fruits such as apples, plums, berries, oranges and pears tend to be cleansing, which is desirable for overweight person. Excess consumption of fruit will cool down the “Digestive Fire” therefore counteract the purpose of this program. Two sweeteners can be recommended during weight loss; raw honey and stevia leaf.
• Dairy: There is only one dairy product that do not interfere with weight loss and that is goat’s milk.
• Spices and seasoning: These play a valuable role in weight loss programs. All pungent food promote energy circulation and increase the metabolic rate. Herbs like cumin, ginger, garlic, cloves, spearmint, fennel, anise, and cayenne can be included daily.
• Animal protein: Should be eaten in small amounts and cooked with pungent spices to aid in digestion.
• Tea: A cup of green tea every day after finishing eating is recommended.
• Miscellaneous: To increase your circulation, scrub your entire body with a ht damp wash cloth morning and/or night while showering

Recommended Proportions:

Whole Grains 30-40%
Vegetables 40-50%
Beans 10-15%
Fruits 5-10%
Meat 5-10%
Joy 100%

Copyright notice : None parts of this essay can be reproduce without permission from the author

Don't forget to: