Chinese Medicine for Weight Loss
It’s a vicious cycle. You resolve to eat right and hit the gym regularly, but you still aren’t losing weight. Or, maybe you’ve found a miracle diet that helps you lose a few pounds, but you gain the weight back as soon as you go back to eating normally.
Try Chinese medicine for weight loss
There’s no doubt about it, losing weight and keeping it off can be a real struggle. There has to be a better way! In Traditional Chinese Medicine, diet and exercise aren’t the only important considerations when it comes to weight loss.
When it comes to Chinese medicine for weight loss, the first thing a Chinese medicine practitioner looks at is the health of your digestive system.
Why Digestion is so Important in Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), proper digestion is believed to be the key to optimal health, and that includes maintaining a healthy weight. Our digestive system encompasses the liver, pancreas, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, and immune system.
When the digestive system is not functioning correctly, it can lead to countless health problems, such as obesity, insomnia, and even fertility issues. When you see a Chinese medicine practitioner, digestion is addressed first, before just about any other health concern.
Why? Because if you’re not digesting your food correctly, you can’t assimilate nutrients or medicines effectively, so any changes you make are virtually useless.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Human Microbiome
Western science is just beginning to acknowledge how important proper digestion is, and recent studies of the human microbiome are confirming what TCM has known all along.
The bacteria that live in our mucous membranes, skin, and digestive systems are called the microbiome. Our health and our weight can be dramatically impacted by which types of bacteria are, or are not, present in our microbiome.
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches us that everything from mental health, immune system function, metabolism, and digestive function are affected by our gut health, so taking good care of it is essential to weight loss and overall health.
Many of us try to improve our gut health by eating yogurt or taking a probiotic pill, but there are other things you can do that can have a much more significant impact.
Eating for a Healthier Gut
Fermented foods are very popular in Eastern cultures because they are so good for the gut. Foods like uncooked sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, and kefir all contain the beneficial bacteria your gut needs.
Try to incorporate at least one serving of fermented foods into your diet each day to keep the bacteria in your microbiome healthy, not only for weight loss but for your overall health as well.
How a Cleanse Can Help with Weight Loss and Improve Gut Health
Cleanses are often recommended by TCM practitioners because they can help to create a healthier microbiome.
Doing a cleanse for weight loss will also enhance the function of your kidneys, liver, and immune system, all of which are essential to proper digestion and good health.
During a cleanse, the gut lining has time to rest, heal, and repopulate with good bacteria, while harmful bacteria are eliminated. Cleanses are a great way to jump-start weight loss while changing your microbiome and improving your health overall.
Herbal Chinese Medicine for Weight Loss
Herbs are an essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Some Chinese herbs that are commonly recommended for weight loss include Panax ginseng, goji berry, angelica, and many more.
A TCM practitioner can help you create an overall treatment plan that includes herbs and supplements to support your digestive system, boost your energy levels, and help you lose weight.
Acupuncture for Weight Loss
Acupuncture is an ancient form of Chinese medicine that has been used for centuries as an effective way to treat everything from chronic pain and infertility to anxiety and depression.
According to New York City-based acupuncturists at the Yinova Center, acupuncture can also help to manage a wide variety of digestive issues. Some digestive problems that can be addressed with acupuncture include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Heartburn and acid reflux
- Ulcerative colitis
An acupuncturist will often recommend a personalized treatment plan that incorporates herbs and supplements, diet and lifestyle changes, and acupuncture treatments to address underlying issues in the digestive system which could be contributing to your inability to lose weight.
Healing the gut and maintaining a healthy microbiome will be the top priorities when you see an acupuncturist for weight loss.
Mental Health and Weight Loss
Although digestive health is crucial to weight loss, mental health also plays a big part.
Depression is a common cause of weight gain, as well as a side effect of being overweight. When you’re depressed, you tend to eat more and choose unhealthy foods.
To make matters worse, you’re a lot less active when you’re depressed.
Endorphins are the body’s “feel-good hormones.” They help the body deal with pain and stress while boosting your mood and energy levels. Acupuncture treatments stimulate the release of endorphins, which is incredibly helpful when you’re trying to lose weight.
Wrap-Up
So many people eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercises, but they still can’t seem to lose weight.
If you’re one of those people, Traditional Chinese Medicine may be able to help you lose weight by improving your gut health and digestive function.
A healthy gut is a secret, not only to losing weight but also to better overall health now and in the future.
