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Obesity is the most common nutrition-related disorder in the western world. It is defined as an abnormal increase of fat in the subcutaneous connective tissues. It occurs when more calories are consumed than the body’s energy needs over a period of time. The excessive nutrition is then accumulated and stored as fat in the body. In general, a person is considered obese when their body fatness is greater than the normal standard by 20%.
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OBESITY
In Chinese medicine theory, obesity is closed related to the disharmony of the digestion system. When it is not working properly, all sorts of digestion problems will result.[showhide type="more1" more_text="Read more..." less_text="Read less"]
The spleen is responsible for the digestion and transportation of food while the stomach is responsible for processing and absorbing the food. When the spleen and stomach Qi (energies) are healthy, the functions of digestion, absorption, and transportation are vigorous. When they are imbalanced, problems such as retention of food, abdominal distension and lassitude will result, which may lead to weight gain. Therefore, for the treatment of overweight and obesity, the traditional Chinese medicine treatment principle is to regulate the functions of the spleen and stomach.
Along with improved diet and regular exercise, Chinese medicine is beneficial to controlling body weight. It can help with digestion and reduce the anxiety of hunger without side effects or feelings of lethargy. It is not a panacea or wonder cure in the treatment of obesity, but Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture are effective in easing the weight loss process, and if the patient is willing to change their lifestyle, can help the patient to maintain a healthier weight in the long term.[/showhide]
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WEIGHT LOSS
If your digestive system is working correctly, your body will be able to optimally transform the food you eat into energy you can use. If not, weight gain may occur.[showhide type="more2" more_text="Read more..." less_text="Read less"]
Weak Qi in the digestive system can disable the body’s ability to absorb and transport food. Two of the factors that weaken Qi are excessive stress and inadequate sleep, both of which raise levels of the stress hormone cortisol, causing the body to store, rather than burn fat. This can lead to increased appetite and failure to feel satisfied, regardless of the amount or quality of food eaten.
Fortifying your digestive system’s Qi (body energy) using traditional Chinese medicine can raise your metabolism and provide an invigorating feeling of wellbeing. It has been reported that acupuncture can reduce appetite and enhance gastrointestinal function. Another popular treatment for excess weight is Chinese herbs, which work in three ways—purging the intestines, acting as a diuretic and stimulating the nervous system.[/showhide]
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