Exploring the Top 5 Vital Organs in Your Body: What They Fear Most
Exploring the Top 5 Vital Organs in Your Body: What They Fear Most
Stomach: Fear of Cold
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, as the body ages, the spleen and stomach are among the first organs to show signs of aging. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal life and play a crucial role in the body's overall well-being.
Dr. Zhang Yunfei, a specialist in integrated internal medicine at Sichuan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, tells us that most stomach problems are caused by overindulgence, consuming excessively cold foods and beverages, overeating fatty and rich foods, all of which can harm the body's Yang energy.
Although the advice to "drink more hot water" is often met with resistance, it can indeed provide some relief if you have stomach issues.
Dr. Zhang explains that cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing the supply of Qi and blood to the stomach over time, resulting in decreased gastric motility. At this point, consuming cold foods will exacerbate symptoms like stomach pain and bloating.
Dr. Zhang's recommendations:
During the transition from winter to spring, the stomach is more susceptible to cold. Remember to follow the advice of wearing warm clothing in spring and don't rush to take off your upper layers.
Gradually focus on "nurturing Yang energy" by consuming some warming foods like red dates and ginger in moderation. However, be mindful not to overindulge. Also, avoid consuming cold and cooling foods or taking random heat-clearing Chinese herbs.
Heart: Fear of Oil and Salt
Excessive salt intake can lead to an increased risk of hypertension and heart disease.
The "Chinese Residents' Dietary Guidelines" recommend daily salt intake not exceeding 6 grams, yet research has shown that urban residents in China consume an average of 11 grams of salt per day, and rural residents consume as much as 17 grams.
Many people wonder why their salt intake is still high when their regular cooking seems quite light. The answer may lie in hidden sources of high salt content.
Most condiments contain high levels of salt, including soybean paste, monosodium glutamate (MSG), chicken essence, oyster sauce, ketchup, salad dressing, chili sauce, garlic chives, fermented bean curd, and more.
Salt is also present in pickled foods and processed meat products.
Some snacks and convenience foods add salt to enhance flavor and texture, which can lead to excessive sodium intake.
To put things in perspective, what is 6 grams of salt?
A convenient way to measure it is within the volume of one bottle cap.
If you've consumed too much salt, remember to drink more plain water to aid metabolism.
Liver: Fear of Obesity
Professor Steve Horvath of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), analyzed around 1,200 human tissue samples, including 140 liver samples. The study found that the liver of obese individuals shows clear signs of aging. On average, for every increase of 10 in body mass index (BMI), the liver "ages" by 3.3 years.
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height^2 (m)
For instance, a fully grown adult with a height of 175 cm and a weight of 140 pounds would have a BMI of:
22.86 = 70 kg / (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.86
Keeping your BMI within the range of 18.5-24.99 is beneficial for liver health.
Dr. Wu Hao, Deputy Director of the Department of Gastroenterology at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, has mentioned that among the patients he has treated for fatty liver disease, over 70% were obese. Generally, a 7-10% reduction in body weight can effectively control fatty liver.
Consume less fat, reduce sugar intake, and gradually increase aerobic exercise to promote the gradual burning of fat in the body.
Dr. Wu reminds us that drinking tea and coffee daily can also aid in liver recovery for patients with fatty liver disease.
Gallbladder: Fear of Irregular Eating Habits
Long-term irregular eating habits can lead to changes in the composition of bile.
Dr. Xi Weidong, from the Department of Gastroenterology at the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, tells us that regardless of whether you eat breakfast, bile is still secreted in the morning. If you can't eat on time, your gallbladder remains in an expanded state, and the secreted bile can only stay in the gallbladder. Over time, this can cause bile stasis, making the bile viscous and leading to gallstones and cholecystitis.
Therefore, no matter how busy you are, it's essential to prioritize eating three regular meals. If you can't make time for a meal, prepare some snacks like bread or biscuits to fill your stomach promptly.
For those already suffering from gallbladder diseases, a light and regular diet is crucial.
Pancreas: Fear of Overeating and Binge Eating
Binge eating can lead to excessive secretion of pancreatic juice, while pancreatic duct drainage is hindered, resulting in increased pressure in the pancreatic duct system. This can disrupt the excretion of high-concentration protein enzymes, ultimately leading to acute pancreatitis. High-fat and high-protein foods, in particular, stimulate excessive pancreatic juice secretion, increasing the burden on the pancreas and making acute pancreatitis more likely.
Therefore, remember to eat until you are 70% full at each meal, reduce fried foods, and incorporate more vegetables and fruits. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption; limit beer to one bottle and white spirits to one liang (approximately 50 grams).
Stomach: Fear of Cold
From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, as the body ages, the spleen and stomach are among the first organs to show signs of aging. The spleen and stomach are the foundation of postnatal life and play a crucial role in the body's overall well-being.
Dr. Zhang Yunfei, a specialist in integrated internal medicine at Sichuan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, tells us that most stomach problems are caused by overindulgence, consuming excessively cold foods and beverages, overeating fatty and rich foods, all of which can harm the body's Yang energy.
Although the advice to "drink more hot water" is often met with resistance, it can indeed provide some relief if you have stomach issues.
Dr. Zhang explains that cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing the supply of Qi and blood to the stomach over time, resulting in decreased gastric motility. At this point, consuming cold foods will exacerbate symptoms like stomach pain and bloating.
Dr. Zhang's recommendations:
During the transition from winter to spring, the stomach is more susceptible to cold. Remember to follow the advice of wearing warm clothing in spring and don't rush to take off your upper layers.
Gradually focus on "nurturing Yang energy" by consuming some warming foods like red dates and ginger in moderation. However, be mindful not to overindulge. Also, avoid consuming cold and cooling foods or taking random heat-clearing Chinese herbs.
Heart: Fear of Oil and Salt
Excessive salt intake can lead to an increased risk of hypertension and heart disease.
The "Chinese Residents' Dietary Guidelines" recommend daily salt intake not exceeding 6 grams, yet research has shown that urban residents in China consume an average of 11 grams of salt per day, and rural residents consume as much as 17 grams.
Many people wonder why their salt intake is still high when their regular cooking seems quite light. The answer may lie in hidden sources of high salt content.
Most condiments contain high levels of salt, including soybean paste, monosodium glutamate (MSG), chicken essence, oyster sauce, ketchup, salad dressing, chili sauce, garlic chives, fermented bean curd, and more.
Salt is also present in pickled foods and processed meat products.
Some snacks and convenience foods add salt to enhance flavor and texture, which can lead to excessive sodium intake.
To put things in perspective, what is 6 grams of salt?
A convenient way to measure it is within the volume of one bottle cap.
If you've consumed too much salt, remember to drink more plain water to aid metabolism.
Liver: Fear of Obesity
Professor Steve Horvath of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), analyzed around 1,200 human tissue samples, including 140 liver samples. The study found that the liver of obese individuals shows clear signs of aging. On average, for every increase of 10 in body mass index (BMI), the liver "ages" by 3.3 years.
BMI = Weight (kg) / Height^2 (m)
For instance, a fully grown adult with a height of 175 cm and a weight of 140 pounds would have a BMI of:
22.86 = 70 kg / (1.75 × 1.75) = 22.86
Keeping your BMI within the range of 18.5-24.99 is beneficial for liver health.
Dr. Wu Hao, Deputy Director of the Department of Gastroenterology at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, has mentioned that among the patients he has treated for fatty liver disease, over 70% were obese. Generally, a 7-10% reduction in body weight can effectively control fatty liver.
Consume less fat, reduce sugar intake, and gradually increase aerobic exercise to promote the gradual burning of fat in the body.
Dr. Wu reminds us that drinking tea and coffee daily can also aid in liver recovery for patients with fatty liver disease.
Gallbladder: Fear of Irregular Eating Habits
Long-term irregular eating habits can lead to changes in the composition of bile.
Dr. Xi Weidong, from the Department of Gastroenterology at the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, tells us that regardless of whether you eat breakfast, bile is still secreted in the morning. If you can't eat on time, your gallbladder remains in an expanded state, and the secreted bile can only stay in the gallbladder. Over time, this can cause bile stasis, making the bile viscous and leading to gallstones and cholecystitis.
Therefore, no matter how busy you are, it's essential to prioritize eating three regular meals. If you can't make time for a meal, prepare some snacks like bread or biscuits to fill your stomach promptly.
For those already suffering from gallbladder diseases, a light and regular diet is crucial.
Pancreas: Fear of Overeating and Binge Eating
Binge eating can lead to excessive secretion of pancreatic juice, while pancreatic duct drainage is hindered, resulting in increased pressure in the pancreatic duct system. This can disrupt the excretion of high-concentration protein enzymes, ultimately leading to acute pancreatitis. High-fat and high-protein foods, in particular, stimulate excessive pancreatic juice secretion, increasing the burden on the pancreas and making acute pancreatitis more likely.
Therefore, remember to eat until you are 70% full at each meal, reduce fried foods, and incorporate more vegetables and fruits. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption; limit beer to one bottle and white spirits to one liang (approximately 50 grams).
instagram