The 21st Solar Term -- the great snow (fall)

Approximately starting form 12/07 to 12/21, is the 21st solar term—the great snow (fall.)  On this day(12/07), the direct sunshine is exactly on the celestial longitude of 255 degree.  The great snow refers to a colder weather and a more severe snowfall season; during this period of time, it’s the coldest days of the year, yet it’s also the time for the submerging energy to surge. 

In terms of TCM, when Yin (the dark side energy) reaches its plateau, it starts to decline; and the Yang (the bright side energy) will then start to surge out.  The Ying and the Yang maintain in a relatively balance situation.

During this period of time, the winter syndrome—depression—is commonly seen.  And therefore psychological or emotional related symptoms pop up from time to time.  To minimize the psychological symptoms, excitement or emotional tension should be avoid and the best way to do so is to get outdoors as often as possible and to engage in social activities that one preferred.

During this period of time, catching a cold, having bronchitis or asthma, having rheumatoid arthritis or the worst case scenario of getting a stroke due to HBP, T2DM or high cholesterol are very commonly seen.  If you are over 55 and above, you need to pay attention to your health and maintain a regular harmonious daily life.

During this period of time, over-eating salty food is the worst habit.  Suitable food or vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, daikon, beets, napa cabbage, dry berries, nuts, small portion of lamb chop, Russian Borscht etc. are all good choice to have.

If you have any cardiovascular condition, you need to keep warm and avoid going out especially before and during the snowstorm.  A sharp change of barometers sometime can be fatal.  Instead of putting up heavy coats or sweaters, several thin layers of cotton clothes are more practical especially when engaging in moderate exercises.  

First Frost arrives; get yourself ready for the winter

First frost is coming on October 23, get yourself ready for the winter.

     There are 24 solar terms in calendar, and each solar term lasts for 15 days.  First frost will fall on 10/23 this year and it is the term that leading to the winter. 

     In this term, the weather starts to get cold and in 15 days will be the first winter (term).  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of the most important concepts of maintaining our health is that our body synchronizes with the environment, the nature and even the universe.  Since the weather will get colder and colder, we need to learn how to get our body winterized for the cold.

     In this term, leafs start to turn yellow, animals start to store food for the winter and prepare themselves for hibernation.  We should all do the same to get ready for the cold.

     In this term, daylight starts to get shorter, surroundings brings a sense of coldness and sadness; therefore, we need to learn how to keep an optimistic mind—keep the negative thoughts in closet and maintain a happiness in mind.  Yet how do we do it?

     First, we need to keep a good habit and maintain our daily biological rhythm.  We tend to get lazy and refuse to get out of bed as scheduled.  By doing so will disturb out biological clock and affect our endocrine system and; therefore, lower the immune system.

     Second, heading into the winter, weather induced respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergies, or flu; or diet induced digestion system disorders such as enterogastritis, gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer can be easily triggered.  Therefore, we need to choose the right food and keep a good diet.

     Food to choose for this term include: pears, apples, grapes, bean sprouts, olives, ginkgo, pine nuts, onions, leafy mustard, yams, turnips, radishes, Chinese yams, lotus roots, water chestnuts, artichokes, lambs, ducks, wheats, peanuts, sesame seeds, pumpkins, cabbages, mushrooms, soy beans, honey, dates, and walnuts etc., are all good sources for nutrition. Food to avoid include: sea food such shrimps or fish, or cold drinks and cold desserts. 

     Adding some hawthorns or vinegars to your cooking, adding ginseng, angelica, rehmannia, and astragalus to the lamb to make a delicious herbal lamb dish will keep you warm through the entire winter.  

     Before you rush out for work, be sure to wear a scarf or mask to keep your face warm; before you go to bed, be sure to soak your feet in moderate hot water for 10-15 minutes.

     When the weather is nice, go for a short up-hill hiking, practice light dancing or aerobic exercises.  Most importantly, if you have any cardio-vascular related diseases or symptoms, make sure you have medication ready or an even better precaution is to go for a trip or stay in the sunny and warm regions.

Regarding Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

If you watch your diet, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is reversible; and chronic kidney disease can be well controlled.

Many patients in my clinic often complain about they have been taking diabetes related medications or receiving insulin shots for ages and they want to get rid of them.  My answer to this complain is as long as you are willing to control your diet, you will have a chance to get recovered from diabetes.  Controlling diet is a very tough work to accomplish and 99% of the patients fail; and this is because that we can not win over the guts microbiota in our digestion system.   

To read or download this research article "Reversal of type 2 diabetes: normalisation of beta cell function in association with decreased pancreas and liver triacylglycerol"  which was published in 2011 in the Journal of Diabetologia, please go to the (read or download research articles) link. This article indicates that both beta cell failure and insulin resistance can be reversed by dietary restriction of energy intake.

Distinguishing several concepts is important in terms of health

I often received phone calls from friends or patients regarding how to handling diseases and symptoms.  Common questions asked include:  Can I take dietary supplements to treat my diseases or symptoms?  Or Can I take good food to have excellent nutrition in stead of taking medications to treat diseases or symptoms?

People usually get confused about the concepts of food, medicines and dietary supplements.  We need to distinguish the differences among food, medicines and supplements.  When you already have diseases or symptoms, you need medications; when you are hungry or need nutrition to build up stronger constitution, you need good food; and when you want to maintain your daily health, you may take dietary supplements.  Among these three categories, the first two are necessary and the last one sometime can be omitted. 

When you have any health issues, you need to use medications to treat and take good food to get recovered.  We need good food all the time, take medications sometimes, and skip dietary supplements more often than you need.