Have you ever controlled your diet but still gained weight back, or even gained weight by just drinking water? Have you ever wanted to exercise but felt too weak to stick with it ?
As living standards improve, people are paying more and more attention to their health. Obesity, a global health issue, is gradually gaining recognition. However, some people struggle to achieve their desired weight loss goals due to inappropriate weight loss methods. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that obesity is related to physical constitution, and that diet or exercise alone cannot alter a condition characterized by qi deficiency, phlegm-dampness, and damp-heat. TCM, however, uses various methods to regulate the body, improve health, and restore a sense of “healthy lightness.” Today, let’s learn about obesity, explore the unique aspects of TCM weight loss, and uncover the mysteries of TCM weight loss.
1. What is obesity?
How can you determine if you’re obese? Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used international standard for measuring a person’s weight and health. BMI = weight (kg) ÷ height squared (m²).
The latest released “Report on the Nutrition and Chronic Disease Status of Chinese Residents (2020)” shows that the overweight rate of adults (≥18 years old) is 34.3% and the obesity rate is 16.4%. More than half of the adults are overweight/obese!+
2. The harm of obesity
The World Health Organization has long defined overweight and obesity as chronic conditions, linked to the development of numerous major illnesses and serving as established risk factors for many chronic diseases. In 2019, deaths from overweight and obesity accounted for 11.1% of all deaths related to chronic non-communicable diseases, a significant increase from 5.7% in 1990. So, what specific diseases does obesity contribute to?
1. Cancer: According to a large-scale epidemiological survey published in the renowned British medical journal The Lancet, obesity is significantly associated with the risk of 17 cancers, including uterine cancer, gallbladder cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. Uterine cancer is the most affected by obesity, and an excessive BMI can increase the risk of cancer by up to 7.1 times!
2. Cardiovascular disease: Obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that the incidence of hypertension in obese individuals aged 20-30 is double that of normal-weight individuals of the same age. The incidence of hypertension in obese individuals aged 40-50 is over 50% higher than that of non-obese individuals. Excess weight not only increases the burden on the heart but also promotes the development of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
3. Diabetes: Obesity is closely linked to type 2 diabetes. Fat tissue increases insulin resistance in the body, making it difficult to control blood sugar. Long-term, this can damage pancreatic beta cell function and accelerate the development of diabetes.
4. Respiratory diseases: Obese people are prone to sleep apnea syndrome, a disease in which breathing stops during sleep, which may lead to nocturnal hypoxemia and daytime fatigue.
5. Bone and joint diseases: Excess weight puts extra pressure on bones and joints, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoarthritis.
6. Mental health issues: Obesity may lead to mental health issues such as damaged self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, affecting the quality of life.
7. Reproductive health issues: Obesity may affect reproductive health and increase the risk of pregnancy complications, fetal death and premature birth.
8. Skin problems: Obesity may also lead to skin problems such as friction and infection in skin folds, and the formation of skin growths (such as black spinules).
3. Why choose Traditional Chinese Medicine to lose weight?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) weight loss practices are based on the principles of holistic medicine and syndrome differentiation. By adjusting the body’s internal balance, TCM promotes health and weight loss. TCM practitioners tailor treatment plans based on individual constitution, symptoms, and the cause of obesity. The goal of TCM weight loss is not only to reduce weight, but more importantly, to promote health and improve quality of life.
(1) The principles of TCM weight loss
1. Regulate spleen and stomach function: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the spleen and stomach are the foundation of acquired health, and obesity is often related to spleen and stomach dysfunction. Regulating spleen and stomach function through traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and other methods can promote digestion and absorption, as well as the circulation of Qi and blood, and help reduce fat accumulation.
2. Regulating Yin and Yang Balance: Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes the importance of balancing Yin and Yang, and obesity is often associated with an imbalance of Yin and Yang. Treatments such as Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help adjust the body’s Yin and Yang balance, thereby achieving weight loss.
3. Promotes metabolism: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the circulation of Qi, blood, and body fluids is closely related to metabolism. Through treatments like Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the circulation of Qi, blood, and body fluids can be promoted, accelerating metabolism and helping to burn excess fat.
4. Drying Dampness and Resolving Phlegm: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that obesity is associated with phlegm and dampness stagnation in the body. Treatment with TCM herbs, particularly those that eliminate phlegm and dampness and promote diuresis, can help eliminate excess water and waste from the body, leading to weight loss.
5. Soothing the Liver and Promoting Gallbladder Health: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), liver and gallbladder function are closely related to fat metabolism. Adjusting liver and gallbladder function through traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture can promote the breakdown and metabolism of fat.
6. Diuretic and Drainage: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that obesity is related to abnormal water metabolism. Diuretic and drainage herbal treatments can help eliminate excess water and reduce weight.
7. Laxative and weight loss: Promoting intestinal motility and increasing the frequency of bowel movements through methods such as Chinese medicine and acupuncture can help excrete excess toxins and waste from the body and achieve the effect of weight loss.
(2) Advantages of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Weight Loss
1. Safe and without side effects: Traditional Chinese medicine for weight loss emphasizes both the symptoms and the root cause and will not produce side effects.
2. Personalized treatment: Traditional Chinese medicine weight loss develops personalized treatment plans based on individual constitution and symptoms, which is more targeted.
3. Regulate the body: During the process of weight loss using Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body’s Qi and blood, as well as the balance of Yin and Yang, can be improved, making the body healthier.
4. Easy to stick to: Traditional Chinese medicine weight loss methods are integrated into daily life, such as diet and exercise, making them easier to stick to in the long term.
4. Traditional Chinese Medicine Methods for Weight Loss
1. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Traditional Chinese medicine regulates qi and blood, promotes diuresis and reduces swelling, eliminates dampness and resolves phlegm, and promotes bowel movements. These herbs help regulate metabolism and promote fat breakdown. Herbs like hawthorn, malt, poria, radish seeds, tangerine peel, and cassia seeds soothe the stomach and lower lipids. These herbs have long been documented in ancient herbal texts as “eliminating fat deposits.”
2. Acupuncture: Acupuncture is a unique form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy that stimulates specific acupoints to regulate Qi and blood, promote metabolism, and ultimately achieve weight loss. Commonly used acupoints include Yuan, Zusanli, Fenglong, and Quchi. Additionally, auricular acupressure can also help reduce appetite and help achieve weight loss.
3. Massage: Massage can promote blood circulation, improve blood circulation, help fat metabolism, and shape a perfect body.
4. Dietary Adjustment: Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes a balanced diet, advocating “30% medicine, 70% food.” A balanced diet consisting of low-fat, low-calorie, high-fiber foods can aid in weight loss. Medicinal foods tailored to your body constitution are not only nutritious but also beneficial for body shaping.
5. Exercise for health: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that exercise can promote the circulation of Qi and blood, strengthen the body, and aid in weight loss. Suitable exercises for weight loss include Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, and Wu Qin Xi.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) weight loss focuses on conditioning the body, addressing the root causes of obesity. This environmentally friendly and safe TCM weight loss method allows people to pursue beauty while enjoying a healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking for a healthy and effective weight loss method, try TCM weight loss and unlock a new chapter in your weight loss journey!