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Being Overweight:
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, a weight problem is best
solved by strengthening qi, improving digestion by removing phlegm,
increasing energy, dispelling heat, warming cold, and cleansing
toxins. Signs of weak qi are lethargy, fatigue, and depression;
signs of excess phlegm or fluid is cloudy thinking, sluggish digestion,
drowsiness and morning fogginess; and toxins cause cellulite, skin
rashes, headaches, eye problems, poor vision and irritability.
The Western weight loss programs of diets
low in fat, or stressing raw foods, or demanding low or high carbohydrates,
or even the ones that stress moderation in everything, do not take
into consideration strengthening your digestion and increasing your
energy. Proponents of exercise say if you are fatigued, you increase
your energy if you'll "just get out there and exercise!."
This works for some people but, it won't work for you if you
have a qi deficiency. Exercise will only exacerbate your fatigue
if you have low qi (the life force of the body). Each Western diet
plan works for some of the people, some of the time but, it is not
geared to you as an individual, and your body's need for energy
derived from proper digestion and strong Qi, so it probably won't
work for you all of the time - and for all time.
Effective weight loss is not achieved through
extreme diets but by enhancing energy itself. Digestive Qi differs
from person to person, and varies from time to time in the same
person. There is no universal weight-loss diet that works for everyone.
The best diet for you strengthens your weak Qi. In this way, Eastern
Medicine links digestion with other life processes, such as breathing,
circulation, and immune strength, in a holistic perspective. Our
eating habits are a bigger picture of our energy. Using cleansing
and tonifying herbs and foods daily, helps the body work better.
Starving ourselves with extreme measures only damages immunity against
illness and depression. Sometimes emotions are trapped in excess
weight. As you cleanse, personal issues may arise for you. Some
people carry extra pounds as a form of protection, to insulate their
feelings (for example).
Some important concepts for healthy eating
involve satisfying the "Five
Flavors" (Bitter, Sweet, Hot, Salty and Sour) while
strengthening the kidney and adrenal Qi and reducing phlegm and
Cool Heat/Warm Cold. Things that produce phlegm are anything sticky,
sweet, heavy or moist. Things that weaken Qi are stimulants like
coffee, overwork, stress & strain and not enough sleep.
For more information on food and health, see the
article "Healing
With Food".
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