Using Food for Healing: East Meets West

Dr. Aihan Kuhn

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Disease is inevitable, and there are many causes: pollution, issues with processed food, modern agricultural methods, pathogens, and even the stress of daily life. In this article, I want to focus on our food, diet, and eating habits. We frequently hear the saying, "You are what you eat".  Even though this is not 100%, it certainly rings true and gets our attention.  Food can be our best friend or our worst enemy. It all depends on how much we know about food and how we apply our knowledge to our daily diet.  Many ailments can be traced to the food we eat and our eating habits; we certainly can make a difference with some understanding of food choices and eating habits. Holistic healing starts with the first step, which is changing our diet and eating habits. But if you are not open-minded or not willing to make changes, it may not work for you. I am sure you will find another way that may work better for you.

There should be no separation between east and west when it comes to using food to heal.  Trained as a Western physician in China, I have practiced holistic medicine in the US for many years. I see value in both systems: Western nutrition and Eastern food healing.  We can use the western scientific nutritional approach to balance our body's dietary needs, which helps not only to maintain normal metabolism but also to prevent illness.  We can then use eastern knowledge of food healing to assist in keeping our energy channels open, delay the aging process, and assist in healing.  For those on a limited diet, the addition of appropriate supplements is essential.  If you have chronic ailments that will not go away, or if you have low energy or metabolism problems that are not getting better, despite your efforts to resolve them, the knowledge of an Eastern healthy diet will significantly benefit you. The Eastern diet focuses on health, healing, healthy weight, and Longevity.  

You know the difference between high-calorie foods and low-calorie foods, as well as high-fat foods and low-fat foods. But you may need to be aware that eating these foods needs to be adjusted based on your age: young or older; the type of work you do: more physically demanding or sedentary (desk work); whether you have a high-stress or low-stress job; and your ability to manage stress.

Older people eat fewer calories and less fat. It doesn't mean it has to be fat-free, which we assume is healthier. We need to understand that our metabolism needs some fat.

If your job is less physical and more sedentary, that means you burn fewer calories.  You should know what to do.

If you don't do well with life stress, using food to cope with stress should be temporary, not constantly, to avoid harming your health. Using Qi Gong is the best way to relieve stress. This is why more people are starting to join Qi Gong classes; some look for training to become Qi Gong teachers. 

Is a gluten-free diet Good for you?

If you search for "gluten-free", you find hundreds of articles talking about "Gluten-free Diet" or "Dangers of Gluten".  Asian people eat foods that contain gluten their whole lives, generation after generation, and they don't have a "gluten problem". Why are we so afraid of "Gluten"?  Gluten is a type of protein found in grains, such as barley, wheat, and rye, and these foods contain essential nutrients for metabolism. If you are tested and have gluten sensitivity, you may reduce your intake of gluten-containing foods, but not necessarily eliminate them. If you cut it out entirely for a long time, not only do you create stress, but it may also lead to a severe gluten allergy.  In this case, any food that contains gluten may lead to a severe allergic reaction, potentially life-threatening. If you have a severe allergy to gluten, you will need to have a gluten-free diet.

Meat or no meat?

An Eastern diet emphasizes a balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients that our body needs. But if you have dietary restrictions, nutritional supplements are required. Regarding variety, the Eastern diet emphasizes less meat and more plant-based foods.

Do you know there is a relationship between Food allergies and stress?

This is something most people don't know about. We know that stress causes over 80% illnesses, but rarely make connections to food allergies.

The "brain-gut connection," also known as the gut-brain axis, refers to the bidirectional communication pathway between the brain and the digestive system. This intricate network involves the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system, allowing for constant information exchange between the gut and the brain. It's a two-way street, meaning the brain can influence gut function, and the gut can impact mood, cognition, and even mental health. Not only can stress cause food allergies or make them worse, but it can also cause other digestive problems. Stress can cause disharmony of organ systems, leading to a slow healing process of many illnesses, including cancer.

Eating habits:

Good eating habits can help to avoid many problems, especially weight control. Food choice can be mindful and involve choosing healthy foods. If you must eat dessert, choose a healthy one, such as fruit.

Dinner time is crucial; it should not be too late, and you should avoid large portions. Older people will need more plant-based food and less meat, and eat less. Healthy snacks can help satisfy hunger between meals.

To live, we need two things: food and water; to live well, we need four things: healthy food, healthy water, a relaxed mind, and exercise.

How does Qi Gong help sensitivity?

Qi Gong is a mind/Body exercise. Regular practice helps to relax the mind while strengthening the body, especially the nervous and immune systems. Allergy is part of the nervous system and immune system reaction, and balancing the nervous and immune system leads to a balanced organ system. It helps to reduce the symptoms of allergy, and some lead to healing. The problem is the fear some people hold on to: fear of change or fear that they cannot keep up the Qi Gong practice.  Fear can prohibit you from doing many things in life.

Everything can change, your mind can change, and your body can change, too. I have seen so many changes in my patients, my students, and others. But change must come from you, not from others. I wish you a smooth healing and happy living.

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