June, 2004

The Role of Digestion in Weight Loss

Chinese Medicine has a comprehensive way of characterizing disharmonies in the body that lead to weight and health issues.  There are many different imbalances in the body that can cause weight issues.  In this issue, I’ll address the condition of too much “dampness” in the digestive system.   Dampness, an overly wet condition in the body, causes sluggishness and is always present when there is excess weight.  It’s like having a sponge in your digestive tract.   You keep adding more and more liquid, fat and mucus to it, never allowing it to dry out and contract.  Digestion becomes sluggish and intestines become overly expanded.  You look and feel bloated and puffy.  It’s the perfect environment for the proliferation of microorganisms and difficulty in losing weight.

The kidneys are the source of necessary digestive fire.  When the kidneys produce less warmth, metabolism slows down.   Too many cold foods and beverages, especially sweet, fatty ones like ice cream and soft drinks, cause too much coldness in the kidneys which creates slow metabolism.

What are the signs?

Some of the signs of digestive dampness are:  bloating, indigestion, loose bowels, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, retaining fluid especially in the legs, ankles and abdomen; feelings of heaviness, especially in the lower body, edema, fatigue, sluggishness, chronic tiredness, mucous conditions, difficulty in losing excess weight, overweight without overeating.

Other Conditions of Dampness

Some other conditions of “dampness” include overgrowth of yeast, viruses, parasites, Candida, many digestive disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, many joint problems and chronic and degenerative diseases from cancer to multiple sclerosis.

Causes of Dampness

The following cold, damp foods, when eaten in excess, cause “dampness” in the digestive tract:  ice cream, cold drinks, raw fruits and raw vegetables, frozen yogurt, iced beverages (even water), juices, cow’s milk products.   These foods cause damp heat:  pizza, greasy foods, French fries, fried meats, fatty luncheon meats, margarine; sugary foods including cookies, cake, donuts., overheated fats and oils.

Remedies

All cooked vegetables are beneficial, except yams, sweet potatoes and potatoes.  The green leafy vegetables are especially beneficial, including arugula, broccoli rabe, brussel sprouts, kale, collard greens, bok choy, broccoli, watercress, chives, mustard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, celery, and parsley.  Click here for some recipe ideas using these green foods.

Use only fresh, cold pressed, organic oils—olive oil and canola oil are best for damp conditions.  Almonds, toasted sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds help dry dampness.

Best proteins include skinless white meat chicken, goat’s milk cheese and yogurt, almond cheese, red fish, trout, shrimp, water-packed tuna, prawns and black beans.

Eat these grains regularly:  white or brown basmati rice, quiona, sprouted grains and sprouted grain breads.  You can also eat pasta made from quiona flour, available at natural food stores.

Eliminate fruit or use these sparingly:  apples, berries, lemons, limes, pears, watermelon, and grapefruit.  Eat fruit by itself.

Avoid all sugar except for stevia, which can help to dry dampness.  Read labels and be sure the stevia you buy has nothing else added.  Often maltodextrin and other sugars are added and this will only cause further problems.

Eat a low-fat diet.  Fats cause sluggish metabolism and dampness.

As we are approaching summer it is a good time to do a three-day, vegetable only cleanse.   You’ll receive the most benefit if you do the cleanse prior to, during, and for the 5-day period following the summer solstice.   Lightly cook a good variety of vegetables, especially leafy greens.  You can include romaine lettuce and sprouts.  Click here for ideas on cooking leafy greens.

There are many herbs that are useful for drying up digestive dampness.  When the appropriate herbs are taken for one’s overall condition, the body becomes more balanced, and weight loss is an easy, side benefit.  You’ll save yourself a lot of time, money and frustration by consulting a qualified herbalist to determine the appropriate herbs for your “whole” condition.  Call 412.421.7760 to schedule a session by phone or in out Pittsburgh office.

Other Factors

Avoid damp climates and sitting on the damp ground.  Use a dehumidifier in your home during the damp, humid season.  Do daily aerobic exercise and take a sauna a few times a week, if possible.

Excessive activity and a lifestyle that is overly scheduled contribute to many internal health problems, including weak digestion.  Please work towards creating a nourishing rhythm to your daily life.  Yes, it’s possible, and it will only happen with diligent planning and making better choices.

Every thought we think and every emotion we feel feed our bodies in some way.  Frustration and anger are two emotions, in particular, that cause excessive dampness and unhealthy digestive conditions.  Our mind, or the way we perceive the events and circumstances in our lives, creates the way we feel (emotions). 

All negative conditions are our body’s way of getting our attention, letting us know it’s time to change something so that we may experience our lives and our health in better ways.  Pay attention to how you’re reacting and responding to your life’s experiences.  Your emotions will let you know.   Find something positive in everything that happens to you.  Within every problem lies a gift and you won’t find it unless you’re looking for it. 

Attitudinal Healing is an excellent therapy for transforming negative situations into joyful ones.  This modality helps you find wonderful opportunities in all of your life challenges.  When this occurs, you no longer have to keep repeating the same problems.  Call 412.421.7760 for a complimentary 30-minute Attitudinal Healing Consultation.  Or you may prefer home study at your own pace by using our Practical Spirituality e-Course.  Click here for details or visit www.wholehealthresources.com. 

Happiness, peace of mind, radiant health and joyful living are our birthright.  There are many ways to work through the obstacles.  Attitudinal Healing and Practical Spirituality are two that can benefit your health and life in ways you haven’t imagined.

The spirit within us is always urging us toward freedom.  When we self-impose rigid rules and restrictions on ourselves, we are in bondage and will never be happy or healthy.  Weighing and measuring food, counting calories and fat grams, deprivation and sacrifice, and making self-directed harsh judgments about our food choices are all cultural ideas imposed on us.  These and other "dieting" practices suffocate our spirit.

It's very possible to have the freedom to eat whatever you want and to do so joyfully and healthfully.  This takes awareness of what we're choosing, why we're choosing it, and how we feel about our choices. 

We can receive from life all the  richness, sweetness, comfort, insulation from stress, ritual, celebration and other qualities we are getting from food.  And we can learn to receive joyful, nurturing qualities from food in ways that will keep us healthy.  It's all a choice.   It starts with abandoning rigid rules and putting into practice some new ways of thinking and lifestyle habits that support the freedom that is at our spiritual core.

"....the pain in my chest that I've had for years is now gone.  I've lost four pounds in ten days and many of my cravings have disappeared since I began your Program.  I'm learning many new ways of experiencing life and perceiving my problems, and I feel this is making the weight loss easier.  I appreciate the warm and trusting atmosphere you create for our group sessions and am learning a lot from the other participants as well.  I am excited about my life again and look forward to continuing the weight loss workshop."  S.H., Youngstown, Ohio

If you haven’t done it on your own by now, perhaps you need some expert guidance. For over 23 years I have been helping clients achieve radiant health, weight loss, vital energy, a nourishing lifestyle and passionate living with my unique “whole person” approach.