Constipation, Diet and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Posted: Saturday, January 08, 2011
by Richard Heft
R. G. Heft
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)is based on the theory, observation that everything is an ongoing interaction of opposites: yin (cold, cleansing) and yang (hot, building) most of which we control through diet, exercise, thought, etc. In every combination, one opposite is always in excess. That excess defines health, disease, climate, etc.
The frequency and movement of stools are controlled largely by digestion and respiration Digestion moves food down via peristaltic wave-like contractions of muscles within the small intestine and the movement of the diaphragm (muscular partition that divides the chest from the abdomen). It moves up and down as the lungs expand and contract, massaging the intestines, increasing peristalsis, downward movement of food from the small to large intestine. Exercise (especially walking) and deep abdominal breathing increase peristalsis, digestion and elimination. Overeating, sitting or lying down after eating weakens
There are two types, dietary causes of constipation. Too much protein and fat and or too little carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables) tend to dry, harden and slow the stools. Too many fruits, vegetables tend to loosen the stools. Too many hot spices, in addition to smoking, coffee and alcohol dry and slow the stools.
Long-term low protein, low fat and high carbohydrate diets tend to weaken all function, including digestion and elimination. Weak digestion increases waste product as all foods, nutrients not digested, absorbed become waste. It also tends to loosen the stools. Fruits, vegetables eaten at the beginning of the meal, tend to dilute, weaken and slow digestion, elimination (loose, watery or infrequent, dry, constipated).
Health food stores, nutritionists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, naturopaths, doctors, etc. generally recommend nutritional supplements, herbal formulas, drugs, special foods, etc. for constipation, but do not differentiate between cold (yin) and hot (yang) constipation.
There are no neutral vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs, formulas, diseases, etc. only hot and cold. Hot constipation requires cold medicines: bitter herbs, fruits, vegetables and less heating foods (animal protein, fat, fried foods). Cold constipation requires hot medicines: spices, protein, fat, cooked foods, soups and less cold: salads, tropical fruits, juices, cold drinks, bitter herbs, etc.
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