This is Part 2 of a series of newsletters about cultivating good health.  Last month’s discussion was on the benefits of a good night’s sleep as one of the pillars of developing Zheng Qi.  You may recall that Zheng Qi, translated as Upright Qi, is the vibrant energy coming from those who live a healthy life.

Part of cultivating good health is a robust immune system. A healthy immune system is your best defense against ALL diseases.  It is also one of the pillars of Zheng Qi.

Did you know that most of your immune system is located in your gastro-intestinal tract? And that the GI tract plays a key role in balancing the immune response?  In the gut is a huge network of lymph tissue called Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue, or GALT.  The beneficial bacteria in your gut constantly interface with GALT, “teaching” the immune system how to respond to pathogens and food alike.  So what you eat has a profound effect on your immune system.  In fact, there is nothing more fundamental to maintaining good health and building immunity than a healthy diet.

The hundreds of species of intestinal bacteria help digest food.  In fact, the GI tract is an eco-system or “microbiome” where biodiversity matters – the more species, the better.  Exciting research is being done worldwide, implying that lack of biodiversity may lead to many chronic diseases that degrade the quality of your life. To learn more go to:  http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/05/10/to-be-healthy-take-care-of-your-microbiome.html

Certain foods, like sugar and animal fats, promote inflammation.  Fiber reduces inflammation and lowers the risk of colon cancer.  Inflammation is one of the signs of a hyperactive immune system.

Diseases associated with Inflammation

• Pain
• Gut diseases such as IBS, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, bloating, flatulence, leaky gut syndrome, etc.
• Brain fog, lack of concentration, forgetfulness, anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, etc.
• Asthma, rhinitis, seasonal allergies, full sinuses, etc.
• Obesity, diabetes
• Gout, arthritis, skin rashes, eczema
• Repeated infections, thrush or yeast infections, etc.

How TCM and Acupuncture helps to create a healthier you:

• A therapeutic diet will help resolve inflammation. A healthy diet for one person may not be right for everyone. For example, contrary to popular belief, not everyone can or should eat raw foods.  TCM helps to determine which foods are right for your situation.
• TCM and acupuncture fortify your immune system, using the basic strategy of strengthening underlying weaknesses and calming over-reactive responses.
• It recognizes that various systems in the body are interconnected, so addressing one system has a cascade effect on other systems.
• Acupuncture calms the inflammatory response.
• It also help reduce an over-reactive response to stress.
• Acupuncture and TCM build up Zheng Qi, the vibrant energy of health.