Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness Blog
How Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Genetic Predispositions
Nature in terms of the human body refers to our biological predispositions, whereas nurture is a result of our external environments. There is a centuries old debate about which has a bigger impact on how we turn out as humans. However, the bigger question is how do we fight it on a biological level?
Key Takeaways:
1. Food is medicine
2. Dominant genes don’t always lead to disease
3. Maintenance is key
4. Preventative medicine doesn’t have to be “medicine”
5. Nature vs Nurture is more than just behavioral science
What is nature vs nurture?
Nature in terms of the human body refers to our biological predispositions, whereas nurture is a result of our external environments. There is a centuries-old debate about which has a bigger impact on how we turn out as humans. However, the bigger question is how do we fight it on a biological level? Chinese medicine has been around for more than 3,000 years and has proven its effectiveness far and wide. We are a direct outcome of not only what we do, but what we eat, and how we choose to live our lives. Our lifestyle can trigger any dormant genes with just the simplest of changes. To fight nurture with nature we must first learn what’s happening within to do what’s best for individual health. Read on to learn more about fighting nature with the nurture of oneself.
Breaking Nature and Nurture Down
Everyone on this planet is made of the two people who created them, their parents. Through them, we inherit 20 to 25,000 genes. Everyone has two copies of each gene – one from our mother and one from our father. We all have genetic predispositions which are defined as “an increased likelihood of developing a particular disease based on a person's genetic makeup. A genetic predisposition results from specific genetic variations that are often inherited from a parent.”
Chinese medicine is known as preventative medicine. This means that it can assist in keeping yin and yang balanced within to avoid triggering a dominant gene that can cause disease. Whether you’re coming in for pain, stress relief, or for a specific disease, acupuncture physicians always look for the root cause of everything in front of them. The goal of TCM is to bring the body back to homeostasis by balancing yin and yang. It’s when yin and yang are out of balance that disease arrives in the first place. Chinese medicine is not just acupuncture and relies heavily on functional medicine, herbal medicine, and nutrition.
Functional Medicine
Functional medicine is a biology-based approach that focuses on getting to the root cause of disease. It can also seek to understand how nature and nurture affect the response of the person.
a. By running a series of blood panels, a physician can see what in the body is deficient or in excess
b. With the results, a protocol based on your exact needs is developed
c. You’ll be able to know exactly what is and is not working for your body so you can make conscious decisions based on what is best for you
d. With this approach your acupuncture physician can truly know your body and work with it to keep it running at its peak – in return keeping dominant genes inactivated and dormant
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is a system within Chinese medicine prescribed to, “restore energy balance to the opposing forces of energy – yin and yang – that run through invisible channels in the body.” Since the day humans saw that herbs and plants can be used to treat injuries, disorders, and sicknesses they’ve been used to do just that.
a. Herbs are prescribed on a need basis
b. Formulas, supplements, tea pills, etc. are given and modified on an individual basis and what works for one might not work for another
How Nutrition Plays a Part in Nature and Nurture
Nutrition is the #1 way to fight nurture with nature. From whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, protein, and more we’re able to manage the scariest of diseases and symptoms.
a. Life comes from life. By using food as medicine, you’re having a direct impact on everything happening in your body from chronic conditions to flare ups
b. One of the biggest things TCM promotes to maintain health year-round is eating seasonally. For example, eating cooked foods in the fall and winter can help the body stay warm, whereas it’s important to eat foods such as melons that are cold in nature in the summer
c. Nutrition is not about dieting but giving the body the nutrients, it needs to fuel your internal and external self
Learn More
When our bodies have certain predispositions there is certainly a chance for anything. We can minimize the risk of succumbing to our inherited biology with the right tools by a tremendous amount. When consulting with an Acupuncture physician at Eastern Acupuncture and Wellness a physician will work with you to set you on a preventative path of well-being and help on the journey to fighting nature with nurture. We work to provide you with the best care from having an in-house phlebotomist, herbal clinic, and highly trained physicians to guide you with all your holistic needs. Give us a call today or click on our services tab to learn more.
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The Yin and Yang of Hormonal Balance
Hormonal balance is vital to a healthy body and mind but can be disrupted in many ways.
Hormones are chemical messengers that influence the way our cells and organs function. There are many different types of hormones in the body and although each has a different function, they are all influenced by another. Hormones are produced, stored and secreted via a network of glands, which make up our endocrine system. They control growth, development, reproduction, metabolism, mood, sleep and digestion.
Hormone levels fluctuate naturally and are part of our inbuilt life cycle. For a woman it is normal for hormones to shift during the menstrual cycle, soar during pregnancy and drop off before menopause. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone fluctuate as the body prepares for ovulation and a possible pregnancy. If there is no pregnancy, the production of hormones fall, which induces menstruation and a new menstrual cycle begins. When a woman approaches 50 her production of hormones naturally decline causing less frequent periods. When her periods eventually stop she will have reached menopause.
Hormonal balance is vital to a healthy body and mind but can be disrupted in many ways. Too much stress, a poor diet, ill health, too much exercise, prescription medicines and a toxic overload are some ways that cause a disruption in the level of hormones.
When the body produces too much or little of a certain hormone it is known as hormonal imbalance. Depending on which hormone(s) is involved a woman will experience a range of symptoms including moodiness, weight gain, digestive problems, acne, menstrual irregularities, infertility, headaches, insomnia, breast pain, anxiety, food cravings and loss of libido.
Yin and Yang
In Traditional Chinese Medicine hormonal balance is closely tied to the concept of Yin and Yang balance. Although Yin and Yang are opposite in nature they depend on one another to function properly. Hormonal balance occurs when Yin and Yang interchange smoothly making room for change and transformation. Just as it is important for estrogen and progesterone to be balanced so too should the Yin – Yang ratio be balanced. If there is too much or too little Yin or Yang in the body, imbalances will occur, which leads to hormonal imbalance.
Hormonal imbalance does not happen overnight. It takes time before symptoms become apparent.
A sedentary person who sits too much and has a poor diet is likely to end up with heaviness and congestion (too much Yin) in the lower part of her body. When blood cannot circulate properly and there is a buildup of fluids (not enough Yang to move Yin) problems such as sore back, varicose veins, achy legs, piles and painful periods may occur. When the liver, which is intimately connected to hormone balance, becomes congested it will not be able to function properly. If the liver cannot process or bio transform hormones efficiently, the body will feel “out of balance” leading to hormonal imbalance.
A woman who exercises too much without sufficient rest (too much Yang) will end up putting so much stress on her body she will drain her reserves. When a person’s reserves, which are stored in kidneys and adrenals, are running low, symptoms such as tiredness, low libido and poor appetite are common. If the body produces a lower than normal level of hormones (Yin deficiency), it can lead to hormonal imbalance. This in turn may lead amenorrhea (no periods) or infertility due to ovulation problems
The goal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is to restore balance in the body. Acupuncture and herbal medicine are safe and effective forms of treatments, which promote a healthy equilibrium. Acupuncture has a regulating effect on the body and herbs have a hormone balancing effect on the body. They both play an important role in regulating the menstrual cycle, balancing emotions and promoting healthy organ function.
During a consultation a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner will inquire about your general state of health and examine your tongue and pulse. Depending on your Yin-Yang ratio and accompanying symptoms, she will select the most appropriate treatment for you. She will also advise you on the best diet, form exercise and supplements to support you. Some general recommendations are as follows:
· Eat organic foods and hormone free meats where possible. Pesticides, chemicals and hormones are used to treat produce and animal products contain synthetic estrogen like substances and have negative effects on our organ and endocrine systems
· Add more cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower to your diet. These cruciferous vegetables contain di-indolymethane (DIM), which helps break down estradiol in the body. Too much estradiol (a form of estrogen made in the body) can contribute to breast pain, weight gain, moodiness, low libido and breast and uterine cancer.
· Eliminate caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
· Avoid junk food
· Take time out to do things you like – hikes, facials, pedicures, foot massage, read a book, meditate
· Zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6 and Vitamin C are helpful.