Tag Archive | oriental medicine

Easy-to-Digest Foods for Upset Tummies, updated

(published in Tampa Bay Wellness, April 2013)

Do you have a “touchy” digestive system? Many people struggle with digestive problems. This could include anything from an occasional mild stomach upset, stomach flu, or food poisoning, to morning sickness, frequent attacks of gall bladder, gastritis, colitis or irritable bowel. Or even the side-effects of chemotherapy treatment.

Chronically uncomfortable digestion, such as nausea, heartburn, reflux, cramping, bloating, gas, constipation or diarrhea can be more than just uncomfortable; poor digestion is associated with other health complications, including malnutrition, dysbiosis, unhealthy weight gain or loss, weakness, and headaches.

Acupuncture to strengthen the digestive function is very helpful for these conditions, as are Chinese herbs tailored for the specific condition. And, for individualized dietary recommendations, it is best to see an acupuncturist trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) nutrition. In the meantime, however, this article will outline a few dietary suggestions that will help most people feel better.

We will start with the most easily digested foods first, and progress to the more difficult. Remember, these are generalizations. Everyone is a little different, so you may find that a few of the foods in some of the earlier categories need to be set aside until you are feeling stronger, or that you are okay with eating some of the later category foods sooner. And always heed any food allergies or sensitivites that you have.

STEP 1: CLEAR FLUIDS

Nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea can make you not want to eat at all, but it is essential to remain hydrated with plenty of clear fluids. Warm or room temperature liquids are preferable since cold fluids can cause or worsen cramping.

One of the best clear fluids is coconut water: the liquid from the inside of the coconut, (not to be confused with coconut milk, which is a thick, white liquid made from the coconut meat). All natural coconut water is typically tolerated better than plain water and has an ideal ratio of electrolytes, minerals with a small amount of natural sugars to keep you optimally hydrated and lightly fueled.

Other good fluids to sip include clear broths and warm teas: for nausea choose ginger, peppermint or chamomile; for cramping pain choose chamomile, peppermint, or fennel.

STEP 2: CONGEE and MASHED & STEWED FRUITS

Congee:

Congee is the foremost of the easy-to-digest foods in Oriental medicine, used for all types of imbalanced digestion. It is a great food to start with after you’ve been unable to eat. In addition to being easy on the system, it is said to “nourish the Digestive Qi (energy).” Congee is a thin porridge that is often used as breakfast in parts of China. There are many recipes available online, but I will give you the basic formula here:

I recommend using brown rice, millet, quinoa or buckwheat, as these are gluten-free, and usually easy-to-digest. Use 1 part whole grain to 5 parts water. Cook on low for several hours. I usually cook this in a crock pot overnight on the “low” setting.

Small amounts of various fruits, vegetables, or spices may be added, depending on your individual TCM diagnosis. Examples include ginger, cardamom, raisins, chopped carrots and apples, which add a touch of flavor and texture to the congee, but are well-cooked for easy digestion. Or your acupuncturist may prefer for you to use vegetables such as zucchini, celery, water chestnuts. Either way, go easy on the added ingredients, because the blandness of the congee is what makes it gentle on the digestion and nourishing for the Digestive Qi.

You can also put cooked congee through a blender to feed to infants and toddlers with “tummy problems”. Again, ask your acupuncturist for specific herbs, spices, fruits or veggies to add to your child’s congee for his or her condition.

Mashed & Stewed Fruits:

Another good option at this stage is a little bit of mashed banana, blended papaya, or a pudding made from the two together. Both are very easy to digest. Banana is better if you are having diarrhea. Papaya, since it contains some natural digestive enzymes, can be helpful for constipation. Applesauce (preferably unsweetened) is another great option. You can add a pinch or two of dried ginger to any of these fruits, to further assist their ease of digestion.

You can also try some stewed fruits, such as pears, prunes and figs, particularly if you have constipation.

STEP 3: OTHER WHOLE-FOOD STARCHES & FRESH FRUITS

When your system can handle more solid foods, try some plain baked potato or sweet potato (remove the skin initially if you need to), winter squash (such as butternut squash, acorn squash or pumpkin), cooked summer squash (zucchini or yellow squash), and cooked root vegetables (such as carrots, beets, or daikon radish).

You can also have plain whole grains such as rice, quinoa, millet and buckwheat. If you are not gluten sensitive, you can add oatmeal (the old-fashioned kind, not the instant), or whole grain toast. In fact, all cooked starches should be well tolerated at this point, except for dry beans. Avoid butter, oil or sauces for now, and no spicy foods.

Once you can easily digest the plain, cooked starches, you should also be able to digest most fresh fruits, though citrus and tomato may still be a challenge. Eat your fresh fruit at room temperature, instead of chilled, for better digestion.

STEP 4: COOKED VEGETABLES & GREEN SMOOTHIES:

Cooked Vegetables:

As your digestive system continues to strengthen, you can eat a variety of cooked vegetables, but initially avoid the cruciferous ones (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussel sprouts).

Avoid using too much oil or butter to cook your vegetables. Steaming or roasting them is better than frying. You can also sauté them in broth. Go very easy on the flavorings, spices or sauces, at least at first, until you feel your digestion can handle them.

For protein, you may eat a small amount of plain, cooked whole beans (not refried beans) with your cooked vegetables. If you eat meat, this is where you can start to add small amounts of organic roasted chicken or wild-caught, small species fish. Be sure to cook both of them very well, to kill parasites and bacteria. Use animal protein more as a meal accent, and not as a large part of the meal.

Green Smoothies:

You can also start adding some raw, green, leafy vegetables to fruit smoothies. This way, you receive the benefit of the green leafy vegetable, but it is blended for easier digestion. Green smoothies are a wonderful way to intake green leafies, while only tasting fruit. Start with spinach or leaf lettuce, since they have very little of their own taste.

There are many green smoothie recipes available online, but you can take this simple recipe and improvise: Add 1 cup of spinach to 1 banana, 1.5 cups of berries, and 1 cup of water or coconut water and a few pinches of dried ginger or cardamom. Blend until smooth and enjoy. Avoid adding ice, dairy or sweeteners.

STEP 5: RAW VEGETABLES, FATS & PROTEINS:

Raw Vegetables:

At this stage, you can to add in raw vegetables and salads. Of the raw vegetables, those which are fruits (tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, zucchini and yellow squash) are the easiest to digest, while the cruciferous (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc) are the most difficult, and you may need to only eat them cooked.

Iceburg lettuce is difficult to digest, and has the least nutrients of all leafy greens, so use romaine, leaf lettuce or spinach for salads. You might find that the darker leafy greens, such as kale, swiss chard, or collards need to be cooked for you to digest them well.

Fats & Proteins:

Of the fats and proteins, avocado is the easiest to handle, and a few olives are fine for most people. Both coconut and peanuts can be a problem for those with gall bladder congestion. Other nuts and seeds in small quantities are fine for some, but those with diverticulitis will likely need to avoid them. If you eat animal-based foods, organic chicken and wild-caught, small species fish, as well as organic egg whites may be eaten in small amounts.

Vegetable oils, butter/margarine, fatty meats, and dairy products should be eaten sparingly if at all. These foods are very heavy and put a lot of burden on the Digestive Qi.

FOODS TO AVOID

Besides those fats and proteins listed above, other foods to avoid with poor digestion are wheat (including white flour and whole wheat), sugars, artificial sweeteners, greasy foods, highly processed foods, and chemical additives. Some people with reflux or heartburn may also need to avoid spicy foods. The most highly allergenic foods are dairy, corn, wheat/gluten, peanut, and soy.

FOOD COMBINING

Some people find that proper food combining makes all the difference for their digestion. Food combining is based on the chemistry of digestion: starchy foods require alkalinity to digest, whereas proteins and fats require acidity. And fruits are best eaten without any other type of food because they digest much faster.

The premise is that when you combine foods which require opposite types of digestive environments, then the chemical reactions neutralize each other, causing digestive stagnation, fermentation & putrefaction. This can lead to digestive distress, poor nutrient absorption, overgrowth of bacteria/yeast, lowered immunity, fatigue, pain and other illness.

There are many sources for learning about food combining, but to make it simple: Don’t eat starches with fats or proteins; Non-starchy vegetables can be eaten with EITHER starches OR proteins/fats, but not both; Eat fruit alone; Allow 40 minutes after eating fruit, 3 hours after a starchy meal, and 4 hours after a protein/fat meal before eating a different type of meal.

IN CONCLUSION:

When your Digestive Qi is strong, your digestion is smooth and effortless, you have vibrant energy, and your whole body functions better. Try these suggestions. But, if you find your digestive problems are persisting, I encourage you to seek an acupuncturist trained in nutrition to help with your individual condition.

Also, for more on Nutrition from the Oriental Medical perspective, See Nutrition, Part 2.

Dawn Balusik
727-475-4710

Apple Pie Smoothie

Oct16

Recipe (vegan, gluten-free, no added sugar)

If you’ve been enjoying apple season like I have, try this green smoothie that is a new twist on an old favorite….

Ain’t Your Grandma’s Apple Pie:
2 apples, cores removed
2 handfuls kale, spinach or other greens
1/4 cup raisins
1/8 cup almonds (about 6 to 8 almonds)
1 tsp hemp seeds or chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp apple pie spice or sprinkle of cloves
1 cup water

Put all ingredients into a good blender and blend until smooth. Add more water if it is too thick.

In Oriental Medicine, apples are said to benefit the stomach, spleen and lung. They stimulate the appetite, relieve diarrhea, clear heat, and moistens the lung.

They are also medicinal for the liver and gall bladder, to help thin bile that is too sludgy, and to help soften cholesterol-based gall stones.

Apples contain calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, Vitamins A, C, and B1 and B2, niacin, fiber and flavones.

Enjoy!

Lifestyle Advice for Endometriosis, Fibroids and other Estrogen-Driven Diseases

Sep25

In addition to the appropriate acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas for your specific condition, there are many things that you can do at home to help yourself.

From a natural Western medicine viewpoint, endometriosis and fibroids are usually an estrogen-dominance condition. This means there is typically too much estrogen in the body outright, or too much in relationship to the amount of progesterone. So, there are 3 main ways to reduce this excess estrogen load:

1. Support the health of the liver, which is responsible for metabolizing excess and spent estrogen.

2. Support the health of the large intestine to have regular bowel movements, so as to keep spent estrogen that is waiting to be excreted from being reabsorbed through the bowel wall.

3. Reduce exposure to “exogenous estrogens.” These are chemicals that are found in our food, water, air, and environment, that mimic estrogen in the body. These include chemical dioxins, hormones that are found in non-organic meat/dairy/eggs, and many chemicals that we find in household items.

Interestingly, from an Eastern Medicine viewpoint, again, the Liver energy is most implicated in endometriosis, but the explanation of how is a bit different. Nonetheless, supporting the health of the Liver is paramount. So, we will explore some ways to do this. We will also look at ways to optimize your digestive energy, which is also essential to treating endometriosis and other gynecological conditions.

First, let’s look at how to support your digestion. If you haven’t read the Nutrition Part 1 post, please do so. It explains the differences between whole foods and processed foods. Understanding and utilizing this concept is of utmost importance to improve all aspects of health, including Liver health. To learn more specifics about optimizing your vital energy (qi) through your food choices, also read Nutrition Part 2.

Now, let’s look at further ways to support your Liver energy and function:

Nutrition:

In addition to what you learned from Nutrition Part 1 and Part 2, you want to focus the diet on whole, natural foods including, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains for liver health. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, additives, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and chemical ingredients, which tax the liver and contribute to inflammation.

Only eat organic options when eating animal-based foods such as meat, poultry, dairy and eggs, so as to avoid unnecessary ingestion of exogenous hormones. Also, decrease your intake of animal-based foods in general, as they can stimulate the body to produce more of its own estrogens, and can contribute to inflammation.

Also, avoid iced foods/beverages, which can create “cold in the uterus” which contributes to cramping, clotting and infertility. Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugar, which cause insulin spikes and drops, which further upset hormonal balance and deplete the Liver of essential B vitamins. Avoid foods that contribute to inflammation, such as refined or hydrogenated oils.

Stress Reduction:

In Oriental medicine, stress is a huge contributor to stagnation and congestion of the Liver energy and function, which can hinder blood flow in the pelvic area, and contribute to endometriosis and other gynecological problems.

We know from Western science that stress stimulates your body to produce more cortisol. And, when needed, the body can actually convert its own progesterone into cortisol to keep up with the demand. When this happens, you have less progesterone to balance the estrogen, and more stress hormones.

Stress hormones, when present in higher amounts and for extended periods of time, have deleterious effects on all body systems, including hormone balance. The way to stop this snowball effect is to decrease your body’s stress reaction, which means decreasing the amount of stress in your life, and modifying your reaction to stress that you cannot avoid.

1. Stop over-commiting your time and energy. It is common, in our busy lives, to say “Yes” to everything that anyone asks of us. It is vital for your health that you remove things from your plate of responsibilities as much as possible. Try to only commit to those extra activities that are joyful to you.

2. Find some stress-relief activities. Please make time to rest and “refill your cup.” One thing to be careful of is not relying on activities that further cause your body to release stress hormones; like watching scary or violent movies, playing violent video games, or participating in risky activities such as gambling.

Good options would be hiking in nature, praying, journaling, meditating, getting massage, getting acupuncture, walking on the beach, taking photographs of the flowers in your neighborhood, spending quality time with people you love, taking up a new hobby.

3. Find ways to focus more on the good things in your life, rather than the negatives. Our perception determines how we experience our lives. If we choose to see the positives more than the negatives, we will be happier and healthier as a result. Working with a life coach or spiritual counselor can often help in this endeavor. This (http://healingfromwithinmn.com/) is a blog by a friend of mine that I find inspiring and uplifting.

4. Incorporate activities that make your body and mind more resilient to the stresses that you cannot avoid. These include getting acupuncture and taking the appropriate Chinese herbal medicine specific for you. These also include taking a Tai Chi or Qi Gong class, which are not only are good for the body, but also the mind, requiring your full attention, so you can focus on the activity at hand, rather than the stresses in your life. And they can actually help your body to recharge and revitalize.

Studies show that those who regularly practice Qi Gong or Tai Qi have less depression, more balanced hormonal profiles, fewer injuries, better athletic performance, enhanced cognitive function, stronger bones and a more positive outlook.

Reduce Exposure to Harmful Chemicals:

It is imperative that you decrease your exposure, as much as possible, to chemicals and substances that are hormone-disruptors or that act like estrogens in the body. These include:

Dioxins: found in bleached products such as tampons, coffee filters, paper products and sanitary pads as well as pesticides, bug sprays & repellents, and weed killers.

Plastics: avoid drinking or eating from plastic containers, especially if they have been sitting in the sun or a hot car. Don’t drink water that tastes like the plastic bottle. Don’t cook (or microwave) in plastic containers or plastic wrap.

For more help with Endometriosis or other gynecological conditions, contact Dawn for acupuncture, herbs and individualized nutritional advice.

Dawn Balusik, AP

727-475-4710

___________________________________________________________

Sources:

Lewis, Randine. The Infertility Cure: the Ancient Chinese Wellness Program for Getting Pregnant and having

Healthy Babies. Little, Brown and Company. 2004.

Mills, Dian S. & Vernon, Michael. Endometriosis: A Key to Healing through Nutrition. Hammersmith, London.

2002. pg 192, 214.

Murray, Michael, M.D., Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Three Rivers Press, NY, 1996.

www.Nutritionfacts.org

Physcians Committee for Responsible Medicine: Endometriosis.

http://www.pcrm.org/health/PDFs/pv_endometriosis.pdf

Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods: Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition. North Atlantic Books,

Berkeley, CA. 1993.

Spangler, Luita D. “Xenoestrogens and Breast Cancer: Nowhere to Run.”Feminist Women’s Health Center Website.

http://www.fwhc.org/health/xeno.htm#what

Wolfe, Honora L. “An Acupuncture Approach to Improved Breast Health, Part II.”

http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2000/aug/08wolfe.html

Acupuncture Attitudes

Feb2

As I see more patients, I notice an interesting set of attitudes around acupuncture. Even after reading basic information on acupuncture, for most people, there still isn’t a clear understanding of what acupuncture is, what it isn’t, and how it works. So, many come to acupuncture with some erroneous ideas.

Unfortunately, these ideas often hinder their ability to take full advantage of what acupuncture and Oriental medicine has to offer. My intention in this article, is to help people adopt an attitude toward this medicine that serves them best.

The “Fix Me” Attitude:
The first common attitude is the “fix me” attitude, where a patient presents with an ailment they would like fixed. As though they were a 1982 Honda Accord, and I was their mechanic. This attitude assumes that once the problem is “fixed,” acupuncture is no longer beneficial. This attitude is to be expected; after all, in this culture, this is how we were taught that bodies and medicine work.

In some instances, such as acute injury, this approach is appropriate. You sprained your ankle and want me to help alleviate the pain and speed the healing time…sure, no problem.

You are not a machine:
The problem with the “fix me” attitude is in regard to long-term illness or pain. First of all, the paradigm under which Oriental medicine operates fundamentally says that you are not a 1982 Honda Accord; you are not a machine at all. You are a living complex of dynamic interrelated systems, energies, nutrients, functions, thoughts, ideas, attitudes, feelings, fears, experiences, desires and behaviors that ALL have an impact on EVERY part of you. Your body, mind and spirit are inseparable; you cannot affect one without affecting the others.

So, what you do in your life, how you feed and care for yourself, who you surround yourself with, and the beliefs that you hold about yourself, your body, your illness and the world around you all have as much of an impact on your long-term health as I can have with my acupuncture needles, massage and herbs.

No, I cannot “fix” you; but you can heal, if given the right circumstances. This is where I come in…I can facilitate a shift into a state that is more balanced and conducive to health and healing. The body wants to heal, but it is blocked from doing so, for any number of myriad reasons. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine helps remove those blockages to your own natural ability to heal.

You are responsible for your health, too!
The second problem with the “fix me” attitude is that it takes away your responsibility to take good care of yourself. For example, I cannot help heal your irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease if you continue to eat foods that are inappropriate for your condition. The quality of your nutrition is just as much a part of your healing as my acupuncture and herbs. I can guide you to the healthiest foods and practices for your specific condition, but the responsibility for your daily nutrition rests solely on your shoulders.

Symptom vs. Cause:
The last problem with the “fix me” approach is that the ailments that people come to me with are usually symptoms of a larger pattern of disharmony. Often, symptoms will clear up quicker than their underlying cause will. Just because your chronic headaches are gone doesn’t mean that the reason you had the headaches to begin with is completely healed. In the words of Dr. Richard Tan, “It can be easy to chop down the tree, but digging up the roots and clearing the debris requires much more time and work.”

If you stop acupuncture care before the underlying causes of the issues are addressed, the headaches could return, or some other symptom take its place. This is why I always recommend tapering down your treatment frequency until you get to a maintenance level. Maintenance level, for most people, is once every 4 to 6 weeks.

The “Magic Needle” (aka “magic bullet”) Attitude:
The second attitude I observe is the “magic needle” attitude. Again, because there isn’t a clear understanding of acupuncture, all that is known is some story heard about a distant acquaintance who was cured from years of debilitating back pain after one acupuncture treatment.

People also hear the media, several popular celebrities and high profile MD’s touting the benefits of acupuncture. When you add in its foreign nature and seemingly mystical ideas about body energies, people have a tendency to place a subconscious aire of “magic” around acupuncture. And, in the human mind, once acupuncture is associated with “magic” it becomes associated with “miracles” and having to “believe in” acupuncture, and from there, for some people, it is only a short leap to “acupuncture is a religious practice.”

There are people who refuse to even consider getting acupuncture because of these “magical” associations that were never meant to be there. And, many of those who do come for treatment have minds full of these notions. They are skeptical, but desperate. They are willing to try it, but have extremely unrealistic expectations, flip-flopping back and forth between “this will never work” and “I’m so excited for my miracle.”

But what about those who do get instant results?
On occasion, acupuncture does seem like magic: sometimes one acupuncture treatment will relieve 5 years of back pain permanently. On occasion a single visit to my office will result in a complete reversal of a year of knee pain. But, this is not the norm, and almost always these types of results are only achieved with patients who are extremely healthy otherwise, and have a very healthy lifestyle, where they have already eliminated any causative or aggravating factors, and just need one or two acupuncture treatments to “seal the deal.” Or on occasion, I will pinpoint a specific behavior, food, supplement or medication that is directly causing the symptom; the patient eliminates that cause, and “poof” like magic, the symptom disappears.

Acupuncture is not Magic:
But, let’s put this to rest right now: Acupuncture & Oriental medicine are not magic, miracles or religious practices. Energy is scientific. Quantum physics tell us that everything is actually pure energy, even solid matter. Everything has an energy field; and all energy fields are influenced by other energies.

Studies show that plants grow better when their owners talk to them. And micro-photography shows that patterns of water molecules rearrange themselves, depending on the energy that is around them: the energy of a baby laughing creates a different pattern than that of heavy metal music. Of course it does…you can feel that difference in your own body, can’t you? You are energy. (By the way, you are also 70% water.)

In the same way, acupuncture points are actually shown, with scientific equipment, to have more electromagnetic conductivity (energy) than other points on the skin. It isn’t magic. It is science. It is just not a science that we are familiar with and taught as a culture.

The fact that the ancient Chinese understood all of this illustrates how extraordinarily perceptive they really were.

Acupuncture takes time to work:
But, in general, people don’t know any of this, so, they think acupuncture should work like magic. Many people get disappointed when they find out that acupuncture takes time to help correct the body’s energy imbalances and enhance the body’s own healing abilities. They get frustrated when the herbal medicine doesn’t mask and suppress their symptoms like pharmaceuticals do. And they don’t want to hear that they are likely going to have to change some things about their lifestyle. So, at that point, a number of people assume that since it doesn’t work like magic, acupuncture doesn’t work at all, and they stop treatment before they realize any benefits. They’ve missed out on what acupuncture and Oriental medicine can offer them.

The “Lifestyle” Attitude:
The approach that allows people the most benefit from this medicine is what I call the “lifestyle” attitude.

Lifestyle is the whole kit-and-kaboodle. What people feed themselves, what they drink, what they breathe, how they care for themselves, when they rest, how they handle stress, how they think about themselves and their bodies, how they move their bodies, what kind of people they surround themselves with; all of these factors play a role in the state of health and wellbeing.

The ancient Chinese knew this: Oriental medicine actually has 8 branches, of which acupuncture and herbal medicine are only two. The other 6 are:

1. nutrition (your diet is the foundation of good health!)
2. massage & bodywork (traditionally this included adjustments similar to chiropractic.)
3. exercise (something that you enjoy….healthy bodies crave movement.)
4. feng shui (this is how you arrange your environment….is your home and workplace a joyful and comfortable place for you? Is it uncluttered, non-toxic and contain things that make you smile?)
5. spirituality (finding your place in the universe….do you have a positive spirituality or purpose in your life that brings you peace?)
6. location (does the geographic location that you live in suit you well? Are you hot all the time, but live in Florida anyway? Does wind give you headaches, but you live in Chicago?)

Most Doctors of Oriental Medicine don’t provide services dealing with the last 3 branches listed, but, you can see how comprehensive Oriental medicine actually is, and how vast the concept of health can be.

Oriental medicine is a Lifestyle medicine:
Oriental medicine is meant to help guide you toward healthier choices for your life, and to help you back into balance and health when things go awry. And, once that condition is resolved, acupuncture is a great preventive therapy to stave off recurrence or other types of illnesses. In this way, Oriental medicine is meant to become part of your new, healthy lifestyle. If you aren’t actively experiencing symptoms, maintenance treatments of once every 4 to 6 weeks are invaluable to help you stay well. (And, they are a great way to relieve stress.)

The people that get the most from this medicine are those that use it for everything, for their whole lives. They get maintenance treatments to stay well, and if they do start to catch a cold or flu, they call for some herbs and a treatment. Are you getting a bladder infection? Some arthritis pain in your ankle? Stressed for a big exam? Insomnia after a divorce? Does your child have a fever or cough? Call for a treatment and some herbs. We treat it all, and acupuncture can work amazingly fast and well when it catches the early stages of an illness or symptoms.

Oriental medicine is an incredible gift that you have available to you that is very safe, very effective, views you wholistically and provides multitudes of benefits. I encourage you to take full advantage of it.

Nutrition, Part 3: Animal Foods in the Diet

Jun6

excerpts published in Tampa Bay Wellness, June 2011

Nutrition, Part 2 discussed Nutrition from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) viewpoint. The TCM recommended diet is: Whole foods with about 80-90% of the diet as vegetables, cooked whole grains and beans/legumes; 5-10% fruit and nuts, and 5% animal-based foods.

Animal-based foods in TCM:

The TCM recommended diet includes small amounts of animal-based foods. They are not the central part of any meal; instead, they are an occasional accent in meals that are vegetable and whole-grain based. Why so little? Because animal-based foods are rich and heavy, and according to TCM, this makes them likely to promote pathogenic Dampness-formation in the body, contributing to a myriad of diseases. (See Part 2 for explanation of Dampness).

But, animal-based foods are not entirely excluded from the TCM diet, because it is thought that, in small amounts, they help build more Qi and Blood in the body. The TCM diet is what I most often recommend; it is relatively easy to implement, and it is far superior to the standard American eating pattern, so the majority of those who adopt it experience marked health improvements.

However, for myself, my family, and for those seeking a more profound level of health, who feel they are up to it, I part from TCM on the issue of animal foods, and prefer a 100% plant-based (vegan) diet, with no animal-based foods at all. This is due to 3 main health-related reasons:

The poor Qi quality of animal-based foods: Current animal-rearing practices are so unhealthy that, in my opinion, the Qi in these products has been rendered more harmful than helpful.
The latest research shows that animal-based foods contribute to several disease processes in the human body, including heart disease and cancer.
Modern nutritional research has found that consuming animal-based food is unnecessary for good health.

Let’s explore these, one by one:

Reason 1: The Poor Qi Quality of Animal Foods:

Up until about 60 years ago, all animal food products were inherently organic, free-range, hormone-free, antibiotic-free, and grass-fed. Because food animals ate their natural diet of grass, meat was rich in omega-3 fats (which help reduce inflammation). They were also leaner and, from a TCM view, their meat had better Qi, because they lived much healthier and happier lives than their modern-day counterparts.

In stark contrast, the meat, dairy and eggs that are available today, as a result of being fed an unnatural diet of grain, sugar, soybeans and animal-byproducts are filled with omega-6 fats (which promote inflammation), have a higher percentage of saturated fat, and fewer beneficial elements.

Many livestock, poultry and egg-laying hens do not have access to fresh air or sunlight. They are also kept in such large numbers, small cages, and close quarters that they lack the ability to stretch their limbs, turn around, or perform natural behaviors. All of these conditions create physical and psychological abnormalities leading to disturbing aberrant behaviors toward themselves and each other.

These animals are also unable to move away from their own or each other’s excrement, creating hygiene problems. To combat the spread of infection, ranchers use frequent doses of antibiotics on all of their animals, sick or not, which contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant super-bacteria, and exposes people who consume meat and dairy to these antibiotics and super-bacteria.

Because meat and dairy producers make more money by increasing production volume and speed, food animals are treated with various growth hormones. We ingest these with their meat or dairy, and they wreak havoc with our bodies, including our endocrine (hormonal) systems.

These animals live very unnatural, unhealthy, and unhappy lives. In my opinion, the Qi coming from these foods cannot be healthy enough to benefit our own Qi, but instead places a burden on our health.

What about Organic, Grass-Fed or Free-Range?

While these are certainly better, there are some factors to consider. Hundreds of labels can be found in grocery aisles for “healthier” meat, eggs and dairy. It is difficult to know what they really mean. For example:

Several companies have created their own agencies to certify their meat organic, setting and breaking their own standards as they see fit. Even if the label says “USDA Certified Organic,” (no antibiotics or growth hormones), it doesn’t necessarily mean grass-fed, free-range, or given the environment to perform natural behaviors.

Likewise, if the package says “grass-fed”, it doesn’t necessarily mean organic, free-range, or even that the animal was fed only grass. Many cattle start out on pasture for their first 6 – 12 months before spending the rest of their lives on a feedlot; some companies label this “grass-fed.”

With the exception of live poultry, the USDA has no regulations on the terms “free-range” or “cage-free,” so all egg, beef, pork, and lamb producers can use these labels freely. The only requirement for “free-range” poultry is that it had access to outdoors for some unspecified amount of time (5 minutes qualifies) each day.

As you can see, no label addresses everything, and every label is subject to misinformation or misinterpretation.

If you do choose to eat meat, eggs or dairy, it is really best to find a local, organic farm/ranch that you can actually visit, to learn about their specific animal-rearing practices, so you know for sure what you are getting.

What about Seafood?

Farm-raised sea foods are also raised in overcrowded conditions, routinely medicated with antibiotics, and fed unnatural diets that change the balance of beneficial nutrients. In fact, farm-raised salmon are so unhealthy that their flesh is grey, so dye is injected to make them appear pink. Even wild-caught seafood is risky, since nearly all fish-supporting waters are now contaminated with mercury, dioxins, and hundreds of other toxins from industrial pollution.

If you do choose to eat seafood, then wild-caught, smaller fish are the best choices. Avoid the large species like tuna, swordfish, and shark, as their large size means they have had more time to collect more toxins in their tissues. Smaller fish like anchovies and sardines have lower concentrations of toxic elements.

Reason 2: Animal-based foods are harmful:

Research shows that eating animal-based foods, even in small amounts, contributes to many diseases common in Western culture, including heart disease and cancer. Here are just a few examples:

In his book, The China Study, which involved a 20-year long look at 6500 people from 65 counties across China, T. Colin Campbell, PhD states, “Consuming animal-based protein increases blood cholesterol levels. Saturated fat and dietary cholesterol also raise blood cholesterol, although these nutrients are not as effective at doing this as is animal protein.” Also, “In rural China, animal protein intake averages only 7.1 gr/day whereas Americans average a whopping 70 gr/day….Even these small amounts of animal-based food in rural China raised the risk for Western diseases.”

Dr. Campbell also found, that casein, the most abundant protein in cow’s milk, is a strong promoter of cancer cells, in all stages of cancer development.

Dr. Neal Barnard reports on a Japanese study that women who follow meat-based diets are eight times more likely to develop breast cancer than women on a plant-based diet. Harvard studies show that regular meat consumption triples colon cancer risk while a Cambridge University study links dairy products to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Studies of the Seventh-day Adventists found that those who avoided meat altogether showed significant reductions in cancer risk as compared to those who ate modest amounts of meat.

Reason 3: Animal-based foods are Unnecessary:

“It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including…vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate and….are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the lifecycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes.”

Dr. Benjamin Spock, in the latest edition of his world-famous book, Baby and Child Care, advocates a vegetarian diet for children, and no longer recommends dairy products after the age of 2. He says that children who grow up getting nutrition from plant foods rather than meats are less likely to develop weight problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and some forms of cancer.

Good sources of amino acids (protein) are green and leafy vegetables (yes, really! Green plants provide protein to animals as muscular as bulls and horses). Protein is also abundant in beans (including soy), lentils, and nuts. If you are a bodybuilder or otherwise require more protein, great vegan protein-shake powders made from pea, rice and hemp proteins can be found online and in most health-food stores. Some recommended brands are Life Basics, Plant Fusion, Vega, and Sunwarrior.

Rich sources of calcium are found in green and leafy vegetables (such as kale, collard greens, swiss chard, turnip greens), beans, dried figs, tofu and broccoli.

Rich sources of iron include dark green leafy vegetables, beans, lentils, tofu, spinach, swiss chard and beet greens. (In fact, my own blood iron levels increased when I switched to a vegan diet!)

Omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and extracts of algae (the type most used in infant formulas, since it can be cultivated in clean fermentation tanks). Other beneficial fats include avocados and nuts/seeds.

Lastly, I recommend taking a high quality multi-vitamin/mineral (whether you are vegan or not). Crop soils have been greatly depleted, so most all of our food is much less nutritious than it used to be. A high-quality, plant food-based multivitamin will help ensure that you are not missing anything, including B-12. Recommended brands include New Chapter and Garden of Life.

Conclusion:

While I greatly respect Traditional Chinese Medicine’s nutritional tenants, and use most of them in my clinic, my modern-day perspective has me conclude, for the reasons listed above, that animal foods are unnecessary, and actually dangerous (especially those that are available today) to optimal health. Instead, I prefer a whole-food, 100% plant-based diet.

Some people, though they have a desire to eat more plant-based, find it difficult to implement or maintain it at 100%. If this is the case for you, please resist the temptation to feel that you have failed or could never do it. Every plant-based meal you eat helps your body. Just do the best you can, and stay positive. Many people find that as they eat more plant-based meals, their tastes begin to change, such that they don’t really enjoy meat like they used to, and they actually start to crave vegetables.

If you have an interest in moving toward a plant-based diet and would like further guidance, check out the Plant-Based Nutrition books, websites and videos listed on the Nutrition – Educational Resources and the Plant-based Meal Ideas pages on this blog.

Dawn Balusik, AP, DOM
727-475-4710

Nutrition, Part 2: Nutrition in Oriental Medicine

May4

excerpts published in Tampa Bay Wellness, May 2011

Nutrition, Part 1 introduced the idea of nutrition as medicine, and explained the value of consuming whole foods instead of processed or refined foods for health. Now we will explore what Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has to say about nutrition.

TCM Theory in a Nutshell

TCM views a person as a complex network of interrelated energetic systems, which include our organs, glands, cells, hormones and neurotransmitters, as well as our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs. Our physical, mental and emotional health is a direct manifestation of the functioning of these systems, and of the interrelationship between them. The quality of these interactions ultimately determines the quality of our overall Qi (“chee”), or vital life energy.

Chinese Medicine’s view is that all disease and illness stems from a disruption in the natural state of harmony between these systems and energies; a breakdown in the natural balance, or homeostasis in this network that makes up the whole of what we are.

Therefore, TCM focuses on re-establishing balanced relationships in the body, so that it can more quickly and easily heal current ills and avoid future ones. A diagnosis in Chinese Medicine is a description of the specific type of imbalance, or “pattern of disharmony” that needs to be addressed.

TCM Nutritional Therapy

Nutritional therapy is one branch of TCM, which also includes acupuncture, herbal medicine, bodywork therapies, and gentle exercise. Just as specific acu-points and Chinese herbs can be used to treat individual TCM diagnoses, so can specific foods be used (or avoided) for their particular effects.

TCM classifies foods according to their effects on the body in several ways. One is by thermal nature; each food can be grouped according to its post-digestive effect on the body, regardless of its physical temperature: Cold, Cool, Neutral, Warm and Hot. (For clarity, when referring to the TCM concept, I will capitalize the word). Another classification of food is flavor: Bitter, Sweet, Salty, Spicy/Acrid and Sour, and the absence of flavor, Bland.

Each taste has a specific action on the body, and the stronger the flavor, the stronger its action. For instance, the Spicy flavor has a thermal nature of Hot or Warm; the spicier the food, the Hotter its post-digestive effect on the body.

Ideally, we should all be eating a balanced combination of (or moderate amount of) each flavor, of foods from the Neutral, Slightly Warming and Slightly Cooling thermal categories, though this balance changes depending on each individual’s condition.

Knowing how much an individual should be eating from each food classification is specific to his/her TCM diagnosis. To give a simplified example, people with very weak digestion who get chilled easily and have low energy should focus their diet on Warming, slightly Sweet and slightly Acrid foods. People with stronger digestion who tend to be hot, and have considerable inflammation need to consume more Cooling, Bitter and Sour foods.

In order to receive the most benefit from TCM Nutritional therapy for your health condition, I encourage you to seek the services of an acupuncture physician trained in TCM nutritional therapy. However, I will review some of the important key concepts here, which apply to most everyone, regardless of their individual diagnosis.

Digestion According to TCM

The quality of our digestion is paramount to our health. If we have poor digestion or absorption, we will not derive maximum nutritional benefit from food, no matter what we eat. Therefore, TCM seeks to optimize digestive function and energy, referred to as the Spleen Qi (“chee”).

What does the spleen have to do with digestion? Well, “Spleen” is actually short for “Spleen-Pancreas.” The ancient Chinese were actually referring to the two organs as one. Therefore, all of the functions that modern medicine ascribes to the pancreas and to the spleen (along with several other functions) are associated with the Spleen in Chinese Medicine: which includes digesting food, absorbing nutrients, regulating blood sugar, assisting immune system function and influencing the quality of the blood .

According to TCM, if our Spleen Qi is optimal, our food will be digested easily and we will have minimal food sensitivities, plenty of daily energy, a balanced metabolism and a healthy body weight, naturally. Spleen Qi is so highly regarded in TCM that there is an entire school of thought which says nearly all chronic disorders can trace their origins back to the inhibition of the digestive Qi.

100 Degree Soup

To borrow from Bob Flaw’s, The Tao of Healthy Eating, our digestive system must transform the food we eat into a 100 degree “soup” before it can be broken down and used. The more our food is like a 100 degree soup before we eat it, the less stress it places on the digestion. This is why it is so beneficial to thoroughly chew our food, warm it in our mouths, and mix it well with saliva before swallowing. It also explains why TCM recommends eating warm soups, broths, and porridges, and sipping warm teas, especially for people with weak Spleen Qi.

Avoid foods which are Iced, Frozen or Chilled

When we douse our 100 degree soup with chilled or iced foods or beverages, we can greatly impair our digestive function and weaken the Spleen Qi. The TCM diagnosis known as “Cold in the Middle” can create symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and cramping, watery diarrhea with undigested food in the stool, and vomiting. Over time, consuming iced or frozen items can contribute to long-term digestive difficulties as well as certain gynecological disorders.

Instead, it is preferable to drink warm or room-temperature beverages, primarily between meals, and avoid frozen desserts.

Moderate your Intake of Raw Foods

Most raw foods, including fruits and vegetables, are found in the Cold or Cooling thermal categories. Just as iced foods tend to put a chill on our 100 degree soup, so do many Cold category foods. However, we shouldn’t necessarily avoid all raw foods. Raw vegetables and fruits are filled with beneficial vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes. The amount of raw food that is appropriate for a given individual is determined by his/her specific condition and TCM diagnosis. This, again, is where the concept of moderation is important.

Some raw foods, however, are actually Warm category foods, such as garlic, onion, chive, ginger, chestnuts, pine nuts and walnuts. So, when other raw foods are eaten, it is advisable to combine them with some of these Warm category foods to counter-balance the Cold nature of the raw foods.

Cooking vegetables Warms their thermal nature by partially breaking down (or digesting) the tough cellulose walls that surround each plant cell, so the nutrients inside are more accessible. Simply steaming, lightly sautéing or tossing them into a hot broth for several minutes can be enough to make them easier on the Spleen Qi.

Another way to energetically Warm your raw fruits and vegetables is by putting them though a blender. Green smoothies are a quick, easy and tasty way to increase your intake of whole fruits and vegetables, and blending helps to break down the tough cellulose walls that lock away the abundant nutrients. However, blending is not as Warming as cooking is, so I recommend adding a dash of Warming ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, or clove to your smoothies.

Avoid Foods Which Produce “Dampness”

In TCM, pathogenic Dampness refers to a murky type of residue that is a bi-product of incomplete or poor digestion. In TCM, a food is placed in the Dampness-producing category if it tends to burden the Spleen Qi digestive function such that Dampness is formed. In fact, Dampness can be formed anytime the Spleen Qi is weakened.

According to TCM, Dampness accumulation in the body can manifest as water retention, excess body fat, excess mucous, yeast or bacterial overgrowth or infection, watery discharges, feeling of heaviness or stifling, certain types of headaches, and muzzy-headedness. Long-standing Dampness can eventually congeal into “Phlegm” which, according to TCM, can cause myriad other accumulation or congestive disorders including cysts, lipomas, nodules, tumors, arthritis, allergies, asthma, coronary artery disease, obesity and even psychosis.

If we are eating only whole foods, we are already avoiding many of the Dampness-producing foods; the more processed or refined the food, the greater its tendency to produce Dampness. This includes milled grains (flour) and bread. Rich, heavy foods tend to create Dampness, as does overeating at meals, eating too frequently and overdrinking of alcohol.

Milk, as lactation from another species of animal, is designed by nature to be made for baby cows (or goats), not humans, and it just so happens that dairy products are among the most Dampness/Phlegm-producing, mucous-forming foods that we consume. (Non-dairy alternatives, made with rice milk, almond milk, or hemp milk are healthier options.) (For a short video on how Dairy foods create pathogenic Phlegm in the body, click here.)

Sugars, sweeteners, and fruit juices have too much concentrated Sweet flavor, which depletes the Spleen Qi function and adds to Dampness.

Wheat also tends to produce Dampness; the recent boom in gluten-free products is a result of more people finding that they feel better by eliminating wheat.

Other Dampness-producers are eggs, concentrated fats and oils (including nut butters and fried foods), and meats, especially pork and beef.

Minimize Foods Which are Energetically “Hot”

While a small amount of Hot category foods can be helpful to our 100 degree soup to balance Cold category foods, and for those with very Cold or weak digestion, too much Hot category food can cause an imbalance known as “Stomach Heat” which may show up as stomach pain, acid reflux, heartburn, ulcers, and ravenous appetite.

This pathogenic Heat can combine with Dampness in the body and migrate to other areas causing inflammatory problems such as gallbladder disorders, constipation or diarrhea, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel conditions, arthritis, gout, urinary or gynecological problems, skin conditions, migraines, sleep disturbances, and emotional imbalances such as a “Hot” temper.

In addition to Spicy foods, other Hot category foods to use sparingly are lamb, venison, chicken, and coffee. Cooking methods that typically add too much energetic Heat to foods are grilling, barbecuing and deep frying. (Better alternatives are sautéing, boiling, baking, roasting or toasting).

Emphasize Foods that Nourish the Digestive Qi

The basic TCM recommended diet, listed from most to least amount:

[ Fresh, cooked vegetables

[ Cooked whole grains

[ Cooked whole beans/legumes

[ Raw vegetables

[ Fresh fruit

[ Nuts

[ Animal Products (fish, meat, dairy)

Vegetables, cooked whole grains and beans/legumes should make up 80-90% of the diet; fruit and nuts 10-15%; and animal products only about 5%.

To further enhance digestibility, the whole grains and beans may be sprouted before cooking, and nuts may be soaked or roasted.

While this diet is very similar to the Macrobiotic diet, (literally meaning “Grand Life” diet) which was created using many TCM nutritional tenants, it is also remarkably aligned with those recommended by modern, physician-researchers such as Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Neal Barnard, T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D, and others: all of whom advocate eating a diet based on vegetables, beans/legumes, whole-food starches, fruits, nuts and seeds, and while minimizing or eliminating processed, refined foods, sweeteners, fats, dairy products and animal foods.

This type of diet has repeatedly been found to reduce rates of and progression of (and in some cases actually reverse) heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other degenerative and auto-immune diseases . We will further explore these modern-day, nutritional researchers, along with their findings and recommendations in Part 3.

Qi Quality of Food

Another factor of importance in TCM nutrition is consideration of the quality of energy (Qi) that exists in the food we put into our bodies. We are nourished not only by the molecular structure of foods, but also by their Qi. The higher the Qi quality in the food, the more beneficial for us.

The quality of a plant’s Qi is dependent on the quality of the soil, air, water and sunlight in which it grows. The quality of an animal’s Qi is directly linked to the quality of the environment, food and water that is provided, as well as the animal’s interactions with others.

The fresher, healthier and less processed that a food is, the more beneficial Qi that food contains and contributes to our bodies when we eat it. Here is a useful way to envision this concept: Put a food in water, and see if it shows any signs of life. For example, we can put a freshly cut kale leaf or celery stick in water, and for a time the stem will continue to draw the water in and keep the leaf fresh, (like a bouquet of flowers).

Similarly, we can put raw whole grains, beans, nuts or seeds in water, and they will begin to sprout, as will the seeds from fresh fruit: there are living processes still happening in that food, meaning there is higher quality Qi in the food. This is the best time to prepare and eat it, because this living Qi will be imparted to our own bodies.

The more time that lapses between harvest and consumption, and the more refined or processed, the less living Qi a food will have. This is why it is best to eat whole foods which are seasonal and locally grown, so they can be harvested when they are ripe and avoid losing vital Qi as they are shipped long distances to our local markets. This is also why it is better to avoid “seedless” varieties of vegetables and fruits, as well as foods that have been irradiated or genetically modified.

For more information about Nutrition in Oriental Medicine, see the books listed on the Educational Resources- Nutrition page of this site.

Part 3 will discuss the TCM viewpoint and the modern nutritional research regarding animal protein in the diet.

Dawn Balusik, AP, DOM
727-475-4710

Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine for Asthma

Mar17

Published in New Times Naturally, Oct 2006
by Dawn Balusik, AP, DOM

Asthma Basics:
Anyone who has had or is close to someone who has had an asthma attack knows the characteristic shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and feeling of suffocation, as well as the nervousness, sense of helplessness, fear and even panic that ensues.

Asthma varies in severity, from mild wheezing and shortness of breath to life-threatening respiratory failure. In many cases, it requires constant awareness and management. Though the triggers vary from person to person, it has been determined that an inflammation of the airway leads to a contraction of the airway muscles, production of mucous and swelling of the airways. Asthma, like allergies, is an immune system imbalance, leading to hypersensitivity, inflammation and broncho-constriction.

Though it can arise at any age, half of all cases first occur in children under age 10, affecting twice as many boys as girls. It is the cause of over 10 million school days missed per year, and it is the number one reason that children are hospitalized.

Asthma is on the Rise:
According to the Asthma and Allergy foundation of America, as of 2001, an estimated 17 million Americans suffer from asthma. 5 million are under age 18 (1 in every 20 children). Everyday, 14 Americans die from asthma. And, the Center for Disease Control expects that the number of Americans with asthma will rise to 30 million by the year 2020. Here in Tampa Bay, over 100,000 people have been diagnosed with this disease.

Not only is asthma on the rise, but in many cases our current medical technology is not able to keep up with it. I have met several very scared parents whose children are on 7 to 10 medications every day, and are making 2 to 4 visits to the E.R. each month.

Triggers of Asthma:
Asthma can be extrinsic: triggered by sensitivity to specific external allergens. Common extrinsic allergens include pollen, mold, animal dander, dust mites; irritants, such as cigarette smoke, household cleaners, room fresheners, candles, incense, paint, varnish, talcum powder, chalk dust and other air pollutants; as well as food additives including sulfites. Extrinsic asthma is often accompanied by other allergic symptoms such as eczema or sinus allergies.

Asthma can also be classified as intrinsic. Here, the specific allergen triggers cannot be identified. Most cases are preceded by a severe respiratory infection, and may be aggravated by lung irritants, emotional stress, fatigue, exposure to noxious fumes, hormonal changes, temperature and humidity changes. Many asthmatics have both intrinsic and extrinsic asthma symptoms. Other triggers include infection, sensitivity to medication, exercise, and gastric reflux.

Causes of Asthma:
Why do some people have asthma, and others do not? This is the subject of many studies, most of which have barely begun to scratch the surface. Here is a small sampling of some findings so far:

A study published in the Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, which involved 13,944 children over an 8-year period, led the Institute of Medicine to conclude that children who receive tetanus or diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines have double the chance to develop asthma, and are 50% more likely to experience severe allergy-related symptoms, and 80% more likely to have sinusitis.

Also, a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine concludes that children who are exposed to cigarette smoke at an early age experience a decline in lung function, and a 50% greater chance of being diagnosed with asthma by age 6, than children who grow up in non-smoking families.

Yet another study shows that asthma is a potential side effect of artificial Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Common Treatments:
Most asthma is managed by pharmaceutical medications, which do a beautiful job of life-saving care. Given an emergency situation, pharmaceuticals are often the best option. But pharmaceutical medications do nothing to address the underlying cause of why someone has the disease. Nor do they promote overall health and wellbeing, or decrease the need for more pharmaceutical medication. In fact, the long-term use of asthma medications may actually be detrimental:

For example:
Bronchodilators are used to relieve coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing; their general side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, nervousness,restlessness, and insomnia, especially among children and the elderly.

Corticosteroids are used to decrease inflammation in the airways. They also reduce a person’s ability to cope with and recover from trauma, surgery and infection. Other side effects include hoarseness, dry mouth, suppressed growth in children, coughing, increased appetite, fluid retention, weight gain, mood swings, increased cholesterol, osteoporosis, thinning of the skin, diabetes, cataracts, and muscle weakness.

Antihistamines are used to relieve allergy attacks, which can contribute to asthma. They cause drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, confusion, nightmares, nervousness, restlessnessand irritability. Other common asthma drugs can have side effects such as hives, abdominal pain, ulcers, seizures, vomiting blood, rapid heart rate, potassium deficiency, increased liver enzymes, reversible hepatitis, severe allergic reactions, and, in rare cases, even death.

Oriental Medicine for Asthma:
According to Oriental medicine, asthma symptoms are actually an indicator of an underlying health imbalance. Acupuncturists attempt to get to the root cause of the problem rather than just treat the symptoms. Oriental medicine works on the premise that the body, given the right conditions, has amazing healing capacities.

Chinese medicine is based on the idea that the human body is a reflection of the natural world. To stay healthy, it must maintain a balance between the passive and the dynamic energies: yin and yang, which can be represented by the opposing forces of cold and hot, night and day, wet and dry. Just as extremes of climate wreak havoc in the natural world, extremes within the body harm it.

As discussed earlier, asthma is an imbalance in the immune system. Oriental Medicine aims to reestablish and maintain internal balance; this builds the overall health of the person so that it is able to heal itself. When the underlying cause is taken care of, the symptoms resolve, and in the case of asthma, the triggers lose their impact.

Most often, in terms of Chinese medicine diagnostics, asthma is seen as a deficiency in the energy (or Qi “chee”) of the Lungs, Spleen or Kidneys, and an accumulation of Phlegm. These can be caused by inappropriate diet, food additives, toxin exposure, repeated upper respiratory infection, genetics, emotional strain, lack of exercise, overwork, and even the asthma medications themselves can contribute to deficiency. Usually it is a combination of these that set the stage for asthma.

Acupuncture for Asthma:
Acupuncture can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks: A study conducted at the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care in the University Hospital of Vienna showed that over 70% of patients with long-standing asthma reported a significant improvement of their ailments after ten weeks of acupuncture treatment.

In another study, Scientists at the Second Municipal People’s Hospital, Kaifeng City, China studied 192 patients suffering from bronchial asthma, all of whom were treated by acupuncture. There was a marked improvement in 76.5% of the patients.

Nutrition:
Many people are unaware that diet plays a major role in the disease process of asthma. Food intolerance has been well recognized as a contributing factor. Cereal grains high in gluten, such as wheat and barley, are major culprits, as are dairy products, eggs, fish, shellfish, cheese, nuts, and chocolate. It is also best to avoid highly processed foods, and chemical additives, such as food colorings and MSG.

Obesity and a diet rich in saturated fats has been found to increase incidents of asthma, while diets rich in vegetables, fiber, food-based vitamin E and C, calcium, magnesium and potassium have much lower risk. Other helpful vitamins and minerals are natural selenium, zinc, B-vitamins, and glutathione.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in flax seed oil, hemp seeds, evening primrose oil and borage oil are very valuable in decreasing inflammation naturally. Modifying the diet to phase out phlegm causing foods, such as dairy products, fried foods and refined sugars, while increasing water intake is a another very important step to reduce asthma symptoms.

Herbs for Asthma:
Chinese herbalists have used herbs for thousands of years to treat respiratory complaints. Chinese herbs are usually prescribed in formulas that combine herbs synergistically to be more balanced and effective. When used appropriately, there are few to no side effects. It is strongly advised to only take Chinese herbs that have been prescribed by a trained Chinese herbalist, since not all herbs are appropriate for all people and some may not combine well with certain pharmaceutical medications.

Acupuncturists today are using the same principles and methods that have proven themselves over 3000 years, on billions of people. Acupuncture and Oriental medicine address the underlying root cause of the problem, and build the health of the entire person; reducing, and in some cases, altogether eliminating, the symptoms.

Note: If you are currently under the care of an M.D. or D.O., it is recommended that you do not stop your current medications. Acupuncture treatment will assist the goal of your current therapy. If you are interested in decreasing or eliminating your prescription medications, you would needto work gradually toward that goal with your M.D. and your Acupuncture Physician.

_____________________________________________________________________________Sources:Sour(1) Sources:
All About Asthma, http://www.sw.org.
(2) Springhouse Corp. Handbook of Diseases, 2nd Ed., Springhouse PA, 2000. pp 79-84.
(3) Life Extension, Disease Prevention & Treatment, Expanded 4th Ed. Life Extension Media. 2003. pp 139 – 143
(4) Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, http://www.aafa.org, Dec. 2001.
(5) “15 million American adults have asthma,” Center for Disease Control & Prevention, Aug. 16,2001; Health Biz News, http://www.healthbiznews.com, Aug, 2001.
(6) USA Today, June 13, 2001; http://www.usatoday.com
(7) Dynamic Chiropractic, March 20, 2000, Vol 18, No.7, pp. 1, 34.
(8) The American Journal of Respiratory & Critical Care Medicine, July 15, 2002, WebMD Health,www.my.webmd.com, July 30, 2002.

Dawn Balusik
727-475-4710

Nutrition, Part 1: Nutrition as Medicine

Feb19

excerpts published in Tampa Bay Wellness, April 2011

He who seeks medicine and neglects his diet wastes the skill of his doctors. - Chinese Proverb

A very common topic of discussion in my clinic is nutrition: Part of my health history intake is asking about the patient’s diet, and I very frequently make nutritional recommendations to assist their health goals.

In addition, I am often asked about what is the healthiest way to eat. It used to be mainly a weight-loss related question, but now it seems to also be people who are struggling with severe health problems such as cancer, auto-immune diseases and chronic degenerative diseases. I find it encouraging that people are starting to acknowledge the quality of their nutrition as a fundamental source of their health or disease.

Nutrition as Medicine

The quality of what we consume directly affects our state of health. Depending on what we choose to eat, our diets can be medicinal or harmful. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, knew this. He is famous for saying “Let food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be food.”

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has also known this for centuries (actually millennia, to be more accurate).

In fact, of the Eight Branches of Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition is one of the most powerful, and certainly is the one that each of us has the most control over on a daily basis, since we all need to eat multiple times daily. Perhaps you’ve not thought of nutrition as medicine before now, but it is an important concept in TCM.

Healthy nutrition provides the foundational energy and substance which nourishes, heals and sustains our bodies in a state of vibrancy and health; poor diet depletes, harms and toxifies our bodies, causing myriad symptoms and diseases.

Just as the roots of a tree need to be healthy and strong so that they can provide optimal nutrition to the rest of the tree, we need to provide our organs and systems with optimal nutrition to heal and maintain our own strength and vitality. And, just as a house must be seated upon a strong foundation in order to have integrity, we need ensure our own foundation with sound nutrition.

Whole Foods

Before delving into the deeper principles of health-promoting nutrition, we must first eliminate the fast food, junk food, preservatives, chemicals, and excess fats and sugars in our diets. We cannot help our bodies become and stay healthy if we are regularly eating these types of foods. It is essential to learn to read food labels, and stay away from products that contain ingredients that are not recognizable food names, and chemical-sounding names. Like Michael Pollan says, “If a 3^rd grader can’t pronounce the ingredient, don’t eat it!”

The first, simplest and most profound piece of advice for building health through nutrition is to eat whole, unprocessed foods. Whole foods are those that are recognizable in their natural state: whole vegetables and fruits, such as apples, carrots, cucumbers and spinach; whole, unprocessed grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, corn and oats; whole cooked beans, whole nuts and seeds without oils or flavorings added.

Whole foods contain all types of vitamins, fiber, minerals, and health benefiting phytochemicals that number in the hundreds, or even thousands, that work synergistically to nourish us. Many of these compounds have been found by modern science to protect us from cancer, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases. Many others of these phytochemicals modern nutritional science hasn’t yet even identified! No one yet knows what other kinds of beneficial and vital properties they carry, or how they all work together synergistically to benefit our bodies.

It makes the most sense to give ourselves every advantage in the quest for excellent long-term health by consuming as much of the beneficial elements as we can in the foods we know are health-promoting. The best way to do this is by eating them in their whole-food form.

In addition to the vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, the fiber in whole foods slows the absorption of glucose, which helps keep the blood sugar steady, preventing diabetes. It also provides volume to food, to satisfy the appetite without adding calories.

Fiber helps to prevent heart disease by binding cholesterol for excretion. It also absorbs toxins in the digestive tract, provides a mechanical means by which to sweep wastes out of the intestines (which decreases risk of colon cancer), provides bulk to the stool, and exercises the smooth muscle tissue in the intestinal walls to keep them toned and well functioning, preventing diverticulosis.

With all of the vital functions that dietary fiber has, it makes no sense to eat foods that are refined, which means the fiber (and most of the vitamins and minerals) has been removed.

Processed foods made with refined ingredients such as white flour, sugar, white rice, and oil, which include most breads, pretzels, chips, crackers, cakes, muffins, and pastries are not whole foods. Their base ingredients have been stripped of any nutritional value they once had, they have little or no fiber, and they add a lot of sugar, fat and chemicals that wreak havoc with our physical health and negatively impact our mental and emotional outlook (not to mention our waist lines.)

Moderation

The ancient Chinese said that moderation is the key to good health. They were not referring to a moderation of junk foods, chemically-laden foods or processed foods, because these did not exist then. For the vast majority of our existence here on earth, humans only had access to whole foods, (which were organic, by the way) and yet the ancient Chinese still preached moderation. This is interesting to consider, since many Americans think a diet of whole foods (especially organic) is extreme.

So what were the ancient Chinese referring to by “moderation”? This will be discussed in Part 2.

For more information on Whole Food nutrition, see the Whole Food Websites and Video resources listed in the Education Resources – Nutrition page of this website.

Nutrition, Part 2 will focus on Nutritional Therapy in Oriental Medicine, based on the physiology of digestion from a Chinese Medicine point of view.

Dawn Balusik, AP, DOM
727-475-4710

Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Beyond

Feb18

by Dawn Balusik, AP, DOM
Published in Select Magazine, Mar-Apr 2009

Though, at first, you may not think to put acupuncture on your “to do” list when you find out you are pregnant, it is actually a valuable and natural way to help ensure a healthy pregnancy, a smooth delivery and a quick post-partum recovery.

Why Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine?

If we look back through Chinese history and the ancestral worship that is part of it, we see a very strong cultural commitment to have healthy children. As a result, throughout the centuries, Oriental Medicine has developed effective treatments to help couples conceive, and to promote healthy pregnancies and uncomplicated deliveries.

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine focuses on re-establishing and maintaining a healthful natural balance and flow of vital energy (or Qi “chee”) within the body. Qi is the basis for the proper functioning of all of our organs and physiological processes, including reproduction: it provides structural integrity and stability, physiological efficiency and the potential for life, health and healing in general.

Qi circulates in pathways throughout the body, known as meridians. In Oriental Medicine, one is said to be in perfect health when this Qi is balanced and flowing unimpeded, in the correct direction and in an adequate amount throughout the body. When this energy becomes imbalanced, blocked or deficient, we experience pain, discomfort and disease.

Acupuncture needles, placed properly, directly access and regulate the flow of the energy in the meridians and correct imbalances, thereby creating healing and harmony within the body.

Acupuncture is a safe, effective and natural way for women to reduce their symptoms of pregnancy. Moreover, it does this without the risks and side-effects of pharmaceutical medications, most of which are contraindicated during pregnancy anyway.

Acupuncture for a Healthy Mother and Baby:

Acupuncture treatment once or twice a month during pregnancy is valuable for both mom and baby. It will help ensure optimal health of the mother and the fetus at different stages of development, cell differentiation and growth. It can also prevent and treat pregnancy-related symptoms.

One popular acu-point used during pregnancy is Zhubin (K-9) known as “the beautiful baby point”, located on the inner part of the lower leg above the ankle bone. It is said to calm the mind, relieve anxiety, build blood and benefit the fetus.

During the final 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, weekly treatments are recommended, to help prepare for labor. Typically, a session lasts 30 to 45 minutes, and women usually only feel a mild pressure or heaviness sensation at the site of the needle insertion.

Some women have pre-existing medical conditions that may worsen during pregnancy, but can be safely addressed with acupuncture. This is a great option when pharmaceuticals are contraindicated or the mother just wants treatment as natural as possible.

Acupuncture for Pregnancy-Related Symptoms:

Acupuncture significantly relieves fatigue, anxiety, migraine headaches, bleeding and, of course, the morning sickness that can be common during the first trimester. An Australian study published in the journal Birth reported that of nearly 600 women suffering with morning sickness, (all of whom were less than 14 weeks pregnant), those who received acupuncture treatment reported having less frequent and shorter periods of nausea than those who did not get acupuncture.

The second trimester can bring stress, sinus congestion, heartburn, constipation and hemorrhoids which acupuncture can help to alleviate. Other second trimester symptoms that acupuncture can assist are edema, elevated blood pressure, elevated blood glucose or excessive weight gain, but these conditions are potentially dangerous, and should also be monitored by a western-trained physician or midwife.

Sciatica, back pain, pelvic pain, joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome can be common during the third trimester. Acupuncture treatment is known to bring relief to these symptoms, and it can bring this relief quickly, without any medications. In fact, a recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that acupuncture in combination with standard treatment was more effective at relieving mixed pelvic/back pain during pregnancy than standard treatment alone.

If symptoms are particularly severe, weekly treatments may be necessary to get you through a particular period of time during the pregnancy.

Beginning around 32 to 34 weeks, special acu-points will be included during treatment to encourage the proper head-down positioning of the baby for birth. Also at this time, acupuncture treatment frequency will increase to weekly to help optimize childbirth.

Acupuncture for Labor Induction & Childbirth:

For pregnancies that have gone beyond their due date, acupuncture is amazingly valuable to help induce a natural labor. A woman who is past her due date is facing either a Cesarean section or being induced with the drug pitocin. Neither of these are desirable options, as they present more risks and side-effects. Pitocin forces the body into labor whether it is ready or not.

Acupuncture is a great alternative. It is safe and encourages the body to go into a natural labor. Acu-points to induce labor are deliberately avoided during the 9 months of pregnancy, and are now used freely to encourage uterine contraction. Acupuncture for labor induction will also help to tonify the mother’s vital energy as well as calm her anxiety. This helps her to relax, which also facilitates a healthy delivery.

For labor induction, acu-points are used in the sacrum, hands, feet and shoulders. Electro-stimulation may be used on the needles to strengthen the treatment effect. Typically, treatment will aim at producing some contractions immediately. In my practice, daily acupuncture treatment for 3 to 5 days is usually sufficient to induce labor. Chinese herbal formulas may also be given to increase circulation in the pelvic area and to nourish the mother’s energy, which is needed for labor.

Acupuncture during labor itself is used to reduce pain and to boost energy, but can also be used to strengthen weak contractions. In China this is a common practice, because birth is seen as a natural process that is to be interfered with as little as possible; acupuncture facilitates the natural process, it doesn’t force anything to happen.

Acupuncture for Post-Partum Recovery:

After delivery, acupuncture assists the normal recuperative process. It can help stop bleeding and discharge, relieve backache and ease pain of the perineal area. It can also help to hasten recovery from a C-Section surgery. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine helps to restore the mother’s vital Qi energy and Blood, support milk production, and normalize the Qi and Blood flow through the abdomen. It is also ideal for preventing and treating post-partum depression. So, even though the new mom will be busy tending to her newborn, it is important that she still get her acupuncture treatments.

It is clear to see that all women would benefit from receiving acupuncture throughout their pregnancies. Acupuncture is valuable to ensure a healthy mother and fetus and to address pre-existing and pregnancy-related symptoms during pregnancy. It is also a wonderful alternative to pitocin or C-section for inducing labor. In addition, acupuncture can facilitate the labor process and assist in post-partum recovery.

Sources:

Chao AS, Chao A, Wang TH, et al. Pain relief by applying transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on acupuncture points during the first stage of labor: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Pain. 2007 Feb;127(3):214-20. View Abstract.

Crocker, Walt. Acupuncture May Be a Safe Alternative for Inducing Labor: Chinese Method Has Been Used Thousands of Years. Accessed on 5/25/08 from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/19749/acupuncture_may_be_a_safe_alternative.html?page=2

Maciocia, Giovanni. Obstetrics and Gynecology in Oriental Medicine. Churchill Livingston, London, 1998.

Rabinowitz, Naomi, MD, Dipl.Ac., Acupuncture and Pregnancy, accessed on 5/25/08 at http://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/ACUPUNCTURE+AND+PREGNANCY

Ring, Phyllis Edgerly. Acupuncture: Relief Right to the Point. Accessed on 5/25/08 from http://www.pregnancytoday.com/reference/articles/acupuncture.htm

Dawn Balusik, AP, DOM
727-475-4710

Acupuncture for Prolonged Grief

Feb3

Question: About 6 months ago I lost my sister to a fatal car accident. Since then I’ve been depressed, I have no energy, and I cannot sleep well. I don’t want to take pharmaceutical medications for depression. Is there anything acupuncture can do to help me cope with how I am feeling?

Answer: To a degree, grief and sadness following a loss is normal and healthy. We shouldn’t be afraid to feel sadness, even deep mourning and grief. It is natural and part of the process of healing and acceptance.

But, when the grieving process (or any strong emotion) goes on too intensely or for too long, it can cause an imbalance that not only disrupts your life, but also your vital life energy. In Oriental Medicine, the body, mind, and spirit are inseparable, such that one cannot experience an imbalance in one area without affecting the others.

Just as the word itself literally says “e-motion” or “Energy in Motion”, emotions are meant to move freely through the body and mind, be experienced, and then released. But when emotions don’t move freely, for any number of reasons, they can become “stuck” in the mind and body, making it difficult to let go and accept our loss. Eventually this stagnant energy affects the body in negative ways.

The emotion of grief, in Oriental Medicine, is known to most directly affect the energy of the Lungs. Many people have experienced catching a cold or contracting bronchitis simultaneous to a deep sense of grief. The most extreme examples of this are some of the cases of “unexplained” lung cancer that we hear about in the news, including the sudden death of Christopher Reeves’ wife after his passing; her overwhelming grief so disrupted the energy of her lungs that she developed cancer.

This is certainly not to say that all grieving people will eventually develop lung cancer; it is only to point out that our emotions are inextricably linked to the energies of our physical bodies.

It is in this realm that Oriental Medicine is helpful. Acupuncture helps to move energy in the body that has become stagnant, encouraging it to flow freely again. It also helps to nourish energy where it is deficient, which helps to strengthen the Lung and Heart energy.

After an acupuncture treatment for emotional release, you might feel lighter and freer, as though a burden has been lifted. Or you might feel the emotion come to the surface, to be fully experienced before then being released. It is important that this process not be stifled; breathing deeply will assist the energy in flowing freely.

Chinese herbal formulas can also be helpful with releasing stagnant energy, nourishing the Lung and Heart energy, and abating the symptoms common to grief such as insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, appetite changes, digestive disturbances, tension, nervousness, and low energy.

Lastly, because of the connection between the flow of energy and breath, and between the emotion of grief and the Lung, engaging in mindful breathing techniques and/or getting some light form of aerobic exercise daily can be of great benefit.

Dawn Balusik
727-475-4710

Healthy Tidbits

Tag Archive | oriental medicine

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excerpts published in Tampa Bay Wellness, April 2011

He who seeks medicine and neglects his diet wastes the skill of his doctors. - Chinese Proverb

Acupuncture for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Beyond

Acupuncture for Prolonged Grief

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