Food Therapy For Heart Health

The Heart Is In Charge Of Pumping And Controlling Blood Flow Throughout The Body

An estimated 80% of cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are preventable. However, cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer and the most expensive disease, costly nearly $1 billion a day.

Approximately 200,000 deaths caused each year by heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure (hypertension) are preventable. Heart disease is preventable. I help people every day get their life back.

The heart’s rhythmic beating allows blood to circulate through blood vessels since the heart, blood, and blood vessels form an independent circulatory system. The strength of heart Qi decides whether the pumping operation is powerful and healthy, as shown by the pulse’s rhythm and rate. The never-ending cycle of blood circulation feeds the body, including our organs and limbs, and ensures that the different tissues and organs function normally.

A healthy person will appear energetic, with a rosy complexion and a quick, rhythmic pulse. If there are some Qi, yin, yang, or blood imbalances in the heart, a person may develop a pale complexion, a thin and slow pulse, a darkened purplish complexion, and a knotty pulse.

Heart disease may be caused by either deficiency or excess trends in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Since each individual has a unique body constitution, treatment principles vary. The TCM concepts for treating this ailment are presented in this article.

Included in this article are four plant-based smoothie recipes for you to consider.

Excess Patterns

1. Heart & Blood Stagnation Syndrome

Blood stasis can be caused by a variety of factors. Our bodies can become unbalanced if we consume too much or too little of anything. Too little nutrients, too much sugar, not enough sleep, and too much alcohol can harm our cells and impair their function. Blood circulation is slowed by a lack of activity.

Symptoms Include:

• constant pain in the chest that worsens at night
• palpitations
• dark spots on the tongue

Treatment Principles:

2. Phlegm Stagnation Syndrome

Emotional disturbances, stagnation of cold, heat, and phlegm, accumulation of fluids or water, or food stagnation are all common causes of qi stagnation; it may also be caused by accidents or blood stasis. A feeling of fullness, obstruction, distension, and, in extreme cases, pain are all symptoms.

Symptoms Include:

• stuffiness in the chest that causes back and shoulder aches
• shortness of breath
• heavy limbs

Treatment Principles:

• promote blood circulation
• clear blood stasis
• clear stagnation

• eliminate phlegm and stagnation

3. Yin Stagnation Syndrome

Symptoms Include:

• pain in the chest and back
• stuffiness
• shortness of breath
• palpitations
• weak pulse.

Treatment Principles:

• unblock yang
• relieve numbness and cold

Deficiency Patterns

1. Heart & Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome

The reserves that nourish and help the heart and mind are weakened and unable to perform their functions properly if you have heart yin deficiency. To conserve and restore heart yin, it is recommended that you eat enriching foods.

Symptoms Include:

• chest pain
• palpitations
• night sweats
• dizziness
• insomnia

Treatment Principles:

• nourish yin
• tonify kidney system and heart system
• soothe the mind

2. Qi & Yin Deficiency Syndrome

Two concepts that are unique and fundamental to Chinese medicine are Qi (usually translated as “vital energy”) and yin and yang (the harmony of all the opposite elements and forces that make up existence).

Qi roughly translates to “power,” so a Qi deficiency is essentially a lack of energy. Low energy may affect the whole body or only specific organs, resulting in a variety of symptoms. A general Qi deficiency can manifest itself in the form of fatigue and illness.

Symptoms Include:

• stuffiness
• mild pain in the chest
• palpitations
• shortness of breath
• all above symptoms aggravated by physical activity

Treatment Principles:

• supplement Qi
• nourish yin
• promote blood circulation

3. Yang Deficiency Syndrome

Symptoms Include:

• shortness of breath
• palpitations
• chest pains that spread to the back
• cold limbs
• aversion to cold

Treatment Principles:

• strengthen qi
• warm yang
• promote blood circulation