HOW TCM CAN HELP YOU MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT AMONG RISING OBESITY RATES

For the past couple of years obesity has been on the rise in Australia. In 2011-2012, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 62.8% of Australians were overweight or obesity. In 2014-2015, the percentage increased to 63.4%. With obesity on the rise, Australians are trying to create solutions to make a healthier lifestyle more simple and attainable. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a great option that can support Australians combat obesity and discover the cause of obesity. 

TCM is a method that believes that obesity leads to several health problems; such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and several other severe conditions. But, TCM does not see obesity as the culprit, instead it is a side affect of a bigger problem;”spleen qi deficiency”.

Spleen qi deficiency is the diagnosis of a week digestive system. The body’s digestive system is too weak to breakdown food and properly absorb and transport it. There are several causes of spleen qi deficiency; including, late night eating, drinking cold beverages, eating junk food, eating cold food, and including a person’s genetic makeup. These habits are not only causes of spleen qi deficiency, but they are also the causes of weight gain.

If a person is suffering from spleen qi deficiency, then they may exhibit some of these symptoms:

• Bloating
• Sugar cravings (means the body is not absorbing enough energy)
• Low energy
• Obesity
• Pale Complexion
• Sagging skin and muscles
• Bowel irregularities
• Low immunity

For more severe cases the symptoms can escalate to dizziness, palpitations, and anxiety. Spleen qi deficiency can also lead to the body producing phlegm in the stomach and storing it in the lungs. 

TCM addresses weight loss with a more holistic approach by addressing each case individually. The TCM program combines a diet of holistic food, Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and exercise to balance the body’s energy. 

While acupuncture provides patients with better moods and focus for weight loss, food and Chinese herbs work in the body to strengthen the internal organs in order to empower the digestive system. Daily exercise tones the muscles and is key in weight loss. There are also other components of a TCM weight loss program:

• Eat warm beverages and food
• Eat your largest meal between 7am and 11am (the Chinese clock says this is the time digestion is the strongest
• Set weight loss goals that are attainable
• Do not eat greasy and sweet food
• Eat until 80 percent full

The purpose of TCM is to teach its patients to build new healthier life styles that build energy and strengthen the digestive system. By taking a simple traditional approach, it encourages people to reach attainable and holistic health goals.

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Reference: 

Australian Bureau of Statistics

How to lose weight with Chinese medicine- WellBeing.com