Dietary therapy

Overview of Treatment

Dietary therapy is an essential component of traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to regulate the body's yin-yang balance through adjustments in diet content and structure to prevent and treat diseases. Its core philosophy is "medicine and food share the same origin," utilizing the properties (such as cold, hot, neutral) and nutritional components of ingredients to tailor treatments according to individual constitution.

This therapy is often combined with Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and other modalities, especially in managing chronic diseases, improving sub-health conditions, and post-surgical recovery. Modern medical research increasingly confirms its positive effects on metabolic regulation and immune system enhancement.

Types and Mechanisms of Treatment

Dietary therapy can be classified into three main types: 1) Medicinal diet therapy (e.g., Angelica and ginger mutton soup), combining food ingredients with Chinese herbs; 2) Moderation diets (e.g., low-salt, low-sugar diets); 3) Food taboos and adjustments (e.g., rheumatism patients avoiding cold foods). The mechanisms include:

• Regulating metabolism through polyphenols, dietary fiber, and other components in foods
• Balancing the flow of qi and blood within the body
• Improving organ functions (such as spleen and stomach digestion capacity)

The process emphasizes the concept of "preventing disease before it occurs," through long-term dietary habit adjustments to prevent disease progression.

Indications

Common applicable symptoms include:

• Digestive system: weak gastrointestinal function, constipation, or diarrhea
• Metabolic diseases: hyperlipidemia, prediabetes
• Sub-health states: fatigue, insomnia, weakened immunity

It is also suitable for nutritional support during post-operative recovery or after chemotherapy, but plans should be formulated by a Chinese medicine practitioner based on tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis results.

Usage and Dosage

The treatment methods include daily dietary adjustments and short-term regimens:

Daily adjustments should follow the principle of "three factors tailored"—selecting ingredients based on season, region, and individual constitution. For example, in winter, warm foods like ginger and longan are preferred; in summer, heat-clearing and dampness-draining foods like mung beans and winter melon are recommended.

Short-term regimens may involve three daily medicinal diet meals, with dosages adjusted according to body weight and condition. For instance, hypertensive patients may be advised to consume 30-50 grams of soybeans daily, but should avoid taking it concurrently with antihypertensive medications.

Benefits and Advantages

• Low side effects and high safety
• Suitable for long-term use
• Improves overall constitution rather than just targeting individual symptoms

Compared to chemical drugs, its advantages include:

1. Maintaining nutritional balance and avoiding drug dependence
2. Enhancing the body's self-healing ability
3. Flexibly adjusting plans according to seasonal and environmental changes

Risks and Side Effects

If not professionally planned, adverse effects may occur, such as:

• Overuse of warm foods may lead to "internal heat" symptoms (e.g., dry mouth, dizziness)
• Incorrect combinations may affect drug absorption (e.g., high-fiber foods delaying medication uptake)

Serious Risks: Self-adjusting dietary structures in severe patients may worsen their condition, such as diabetics misusing high-GI foods leading to blood sugar fluctuations.

Precautions and Contraindications

Contraindications include:

• Acute exacerbation of diseases (e.g., acute gastric bleeding)
• Severe renal failure requiring protein intake restrictions

Precautions include:

1. Pregnant women and children should adjust ingredient portions
2. Avoid conflicts with current Western medications (e.g., foods high in vitamin K affecting anticoagulants)
3. Strictly follow "taboo" principles, such as avoiding spicy foods in eczema patients

Interactions with Other Treatments

Interactions with Western medicine include:

• High-fiber diets delaying the absorption of hypoglycemic drugs
• Oxalate-rich vegetables potentially affecting calcium absorption

Interactions with Chinese herbal medicine include:

1. Ginger and radish may reduce the efficacy of certain herbs
2. High-protein diets may increase the burden on patients with kidney disease

Treatment Effects and Evidence

Clinical studies show:

• High-fiber diets can reduce LDL cholesterol by 15-20%
• Isoflavones from soybeans improve menopausal symptoms with a rate of 68%

However, attention should be paid to:

1. Variability in efficacy due to individual constitution
2. Short-term effects may not be obvious; at least 3-6 months of observation is needed
3. Should be combined with other treatments (e.g., Chinese medicine or exercise)

Alternatives

Alternative options include:

• Chinese herbal granules: targeted but may impose liver and kidney metabolic pressure
• Nutritional supplements: quickly replenish specific nutrients but lack overall regulation
• Acupuncture: stimulates acupoints but requires professional operation

The unique value of dietary therapy lies in integrating treatment into daily habits, achieving long-term health management through "food therapy," but it should be monitored by a physician for progress and side effects.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to determine if a specific ingredient is suitable for an individual's constitution for dietary adjustment?

Before choosing ingredients, consult a Chinese medicine doctor to diagnose your constitution type (such as cold, hot, qi deficiency, etc.). The doctor will recommend ingredients based on the "medicine and food share the same source" principle, combined with season and symptoms. For example, those with spleen and stomach cold deficiency should consume warm ingredients like ginger and turmeric, while those with damp-heat constitution should opt for heat-clearing and dampness-draining foods like winter melon and coix seed.

What should be done if dry mouth or loss of appetite occurs during dietary therapy?

If discomfort occurs, adjust the proportion or method of cooking ingredients. For example, dry mouth may be caused by overly salty soups or strong medicinal properties; reduce salt and increase yin-nourishing foods like pears and white fungus. For loss of appetite, try slow cooking over low heat or eating small amounts at a time. Consult a doctor for formula adjustments if necessary.

Can dietary therapy be combined with Western medication? What precautions should be taken?

It can be used alongside Western medicine, but avoid interactions between ingredients and drugs. For example, those on anticoagulants should limit vitamin K-rich foods like spinach and cauliflower; hypertensive patients on antihypertensive drugs should control foods containing ephedra. Always inform your doctor of all medications being used before starting dietary therapy.

After completing a phase of dietary therapy, how can one prevent symptom recurrence?

Establish long-term dietary habits, such as regularly consuming prescribed recipes and avoiding triggers (like overeating raw cold or spicy foods). It is recommended to have follow-up assessments every 3-6 months to evaluate constitution changes, adjust diet plans as needed, and incorporate moderate exercise and stress management.

How long does it typically take to see significant improvements with long-term dietary therapy? What factors influence effectiveness?

The improvement time varies among individuals. Chronic disease patients usually need 3-6 months of continuous therapy, while acute symptoms may improve within 2-4 weeks. Factors affecting outcomes include individual constitution, adherence to diet, lifestyle habits (such as sleep and stress), and whether combined with other treatments. Regular communication with a physician is essential for progress tracking.