In life, when our bodies feel uncomfortable, we rarely connect it with spleen deficiency, but the fact is that almost all diseases, especially gastrointestinal diseases, have intricate connections with spleen deficiency.
The spleen governs transformation and transportation and is the source of qi and blood generation. It is responsible for the storage and transport of blood within our body, while the spleen also distributes the digested nutrients to various organs, much like the “office director” of our body, responsible for allocating and transporting nutritional resources, which is closely related to our digestion, growth, and development. Therefore, once there is spleen deficiency, the body’s digestive system, immune system, and even blood-related aspects may experience various ailments.
When the body exhibits these four symptoms, it may be due to spleen deficiency, and one should quickly nourish the spleen.
Those who are “falsely overweight” due to spleen deficiency may experience a decline in their ability to digest and break down food, leading to metabolic difficulties. This can cause excess nutrients to accumulate in the body, gradually leading to obesity. Additionally, since the spleen governs muscles, when it is deficient, the muscles may become soft and weak, especially in the abdominal area, resulting in excess fat around the waist, commonly referred to as “love handles.” However, this false weight gain can slowly reduce as spleen function improves, so the primary task for losing weight is to nourish the spleen.
Becoming a “yellow-faced woman” – The spleen is associated with the earth, represented by yellow among the five colors. When spleen deficiency prevents food from being broken down and digested, it can affect one’s spirit and complexion, leading to fatigue, weakness, and a pale yellowish face. Over time, this can result in becoming a veritable “yellow-faced woman.”
Bad breath – The spleen is connected to the mouth; if the spleen is not functioning well and transformation is poor, food can become fermented inside the body, producing unpleasant odors that are released through the mouth, leading to what we call “bad breath.” If the spleen functions well, one’s breath will be relatively fresh and natural.
Excess dampness – The spleen is responsible for the transformation of moisture, meaning that the cold dampness and moisture in the body must be regulated by the spleen. Therefore, when the spleen is not functioning well, this regulation is affected, causing dampness to stagnate in the body, leading to symptoms such as sticky stools, yellow and heated urine, irritability, fatigue, and excessive sweating in the hands and feet. At this time, we need to strengthen the spleen first, then eliminate dampness.
To maintain a healthy spleen and stomach, avoid these three types of food.
1. Fried and greasy foods
In fact, fried and greasy foods do not only harm the spleen; they can also damage other organs and blood vessels. Therefore, regardless of the perspective, if one desires to be healthy, this type of food should be consumed sparingly.
2. Raw and cold foods
The spleen is sensitive to cold, so we should consume less raw and cold food, especially in summer when our bodies are warm. Eating cold items during this time can immediately stimulate the spleen and stomach. Additionally, many raw and cold foods, if not properly handled, may contain parasites and excessive bacteria, impacting health.
3. Overly sweet foods
The spleen enjoys sweet foods; consuming them in moderation can provide energy and aid digestion. However, if consumed excessively or if the sweetness is too high, it can have the opposite effect, harming the spleen and affecting gastrointestinal peristalsis, potentially leading to symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, burping, and indigestion. This category of food mainly includes pastries, chocolate, cream, etc.
To promote spleen and stomach health, avoid doing these three things while eating.
Do not gulp down food.
Gulping down food too quickly leads to larger food particles, affecting the digestion and breakdown by the spleen and stomach. Large particles are difficult for the small intestine to absorb and can accumulate in the intestines, forming fecal matter.
Do not talk while eating.
Talking while eating can cause one to swallow large amounts of air, affecting digestion, leading to bloating, belching, and indigestion.
Do not binge eat.
Eating too much can harm the spleen and stomach, causing spleen deficiency. While it may just cause temporary indigestion, over time it can lead to disharmony in the spleen and stomach and difficulty in bowel movements.
