cholesterol

Aug

2014

Cholesterol from a TCM Perspective

Did you know that Yang-energy fight or flight hormones associated with stress rhythms can cause an elevation in cholesterol?

Traditional Chinese Yin-Yang theory is adaptable to classify all universal phenomena, including the modern dietary-lifestyle staples that play into most health conditions. Coffee, sugar, and alcohol, among the more ubiquitous, have an overwhelming and weakening effect on the interconnected systems of the body. In the polarity of Yin-Yang, these substances are seen to liberate a lot of Yang Qi, which is to say the active, warming, dynamic aspects of the functioning, material form. Stress hormones have a similar effect in liberating Yang Qi.

In Yin-Yang theory of TCM, to balance excessive Yang, the body functionally secretes Yin to compensate to bring balance to the Yang excess, which includes secretion of the inherently densely Yin substance of cholesterol. Due to factors of over-consumption of strongly Yang-natured substances, and possible familial predisposition, often this compensation of Yin in the form of cholesterol occurs to pathological levels. Much more than avoiding eggs (which can be refuted as irrelevant) to prevent or reduce cholesterol are the dietary factors of coffee, sugar, and alcohol that are far more debilitating. In Chinese medical theory balancing Yin and Yang is key to physical health and mental well being. Eliminating stress and the dietary factors that liberate an abundance of Yang Qi in the body is the first step to reducing elevated Yin-levels of cholesterol, and it is the final step in maintaining healthy blood cholesterol.

Oct

2012

Diabetes in Traditional Chinese Medical Treatment

Diabetes Mellitus originates from deficiency of Yin and manifests externally as a syndrome of excessive heat. As the disease progresses, deficiency of Yin produces dry-heat which in turn damages QI and Yin, exhausting both Yin and Yang in time. The incidence of diabetes is projected to double in the next 10 years worldwide; yet, in 752 A.D., the distinguished physician Wang Tao published the famous book Wai Tai Mi Yao, a comprehensive medical guide which implicated the pancreas as the organ involved in this pattern of disease. Herbal treatment in the initial stage countered with herbs that had a cold nature and that nourished Yin – the same diagnosis & treatment today. In China, diabetes is not as prevalent as elsewhere. The incidence rate of diabetes in China is reported to be 0.67%, compared with about 2.2% in the U.S. 90% of the U.S. cases are insulin-independent, due to genetic factors, diet and obesity.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT

• Diabetes develops initially over a period of about 3 years.

• Intermediate stage (with deficiency of QI and Yin) over a period of about 5 years.

• Late stage (with deficiency of QI, Yin and Yang) develops over a period of about 8 years, with blood circulatory disorders that progress throughout.

OUTCOMES

Along with Chinese herb therapy, Acupuncture can be used to treat such risk factors as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, etc., the diabetic syndrome itself, and the secondary effects of diabetes. About 70-80% of those using acupuncture and appropriate formulations of Chinese herbs at the high Chinese-style dosages, achieve improvement, often better than the many western drugs; while 20-30% show only a marginal response. Blood sugar levels may not reach norms but can be reduced enough to ameliorate symptoms and decrease the secondary risks of long-term elevation of blood sugar.

Wellness Best Wishes to All

Feb

2012

Cholesterol: Chinese Medical Perspective

Much more than avoiding eggs to prevent or reduce cholesterol, are the dietary factors of coffee, sugar and alcohol that are far more debilitating. In Chinese medical theory, stress and yang dietary factors liberate an abundance of Yang QI in our bodies. In order to balance such Yang in excess, the body pathologically secretes Yin in an attempt to compensate, which includes the inherently Yin substance of cholesterol.

Plum and Bamboo under the Moon 月下梅竹
Shí Tāo 石濤 [1642-1707], Early Qing Dynasty.
www.ElementalChanges.com