Identifying Different Types of Obesity: Ancient Approach for Weight Loss

Explore the TCM methods of addressing obesity that can contribute to effective and healthy weight management.

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Obesity has become a global health crisis, affecting over 1 billion people worldwide. Some resort to extreme dieting or intense exercise for weight loss but encounter significant challenges and a high risk of rebound. On the other hand, some individuals, despite controlling their food intake, experience water retention leading to a condition known as edema. In this article, we will explore several traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods, including acupressure massage, tapping therapy, and dietary adjustments, that can contribute to effective and healthy weight management.

Today, it is widely recognized that obesity is linked to cardiovascular diseases, Type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Therefore, successful weight loss can prevent the onset of many diseases.

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics, from 1999 to 2000 to March 2017 to 2020, the prevalence of obesity in the United States increased from 30.5 percent to 41.9 percent. During the same period, the prevalence of severe obesity rose from 4.7 percent to 9.2 percent.

So what is the definition of obesity?

In TCM, body weight and obesity are not equal. Some individuals may have a higher body weight due to a large skeletal frame or well-developed muscles, which does not qualify as obesity. In such cases, there is no need for weight loss; maintaining a healthy physique and diet is sufficient.

According to TCM, obesity can be categorized into two types. One is fat-type obesity, caused by an excessive accumulation of fat in the body. Fat is not only present in subcutaneous tissues but also accumulates on the surface of internal organs, posing potential health risks.

Another type is water-accumulation obesity, characterized by excessive fluid retention leading to swelling, or edema. This pathological condition requires medical attention. Individuals with water-accumulation obesity may exhibit pale skin, soft and swollen muscles, and weight fluctuations in different body parts over time. For instance, their faces might appear puffier in the morning and their legs appear swollen in the afternoon to the extent of not fitting into shoes. Despite consuming an appropriate amount of food, these individuals find it challenging to lose weight. Additionally, some may experience strong body odors, especially during sweating. They often experience a sensation of heaviness, accompanied by excessive sleepiness and fatigue, and may develop symptoms such as eczema, itching, and excess phlegm. Increased vaginal discharge is also observed in some female patients.

So how can one identify which type of obesity they have?

You can press on your ankle with your fingers. If the skin turns white and remains discolored for more than two seconds after releasing the pressure, it indicates fluid retention.

You can also press on the bony area just above the ankle with your fingers. After about a minute of pressing, release your fingers. If there is a noticeable indentation in the skin, and it takes a while for the skin to return to its normal state, it indicates edema.

Self-examination method for edema. The Epoch Times

TCM Approaches to Weight Loss

1. Acupressure and Diet Therapy for Water-Accumulation Obesity

In TCM, the main cause of water-accumulation obesity is believed to be an imbalance in the spleen and stomach, leading to disrupted qi and blood flow. According to TCM, meridians are the channels through which energy flows in the body. They are responsible for transporting qi and blood—the fundamental substances that constitute and sustain human life. Qi is the energy or power that constitutes life within the body, and in TCM, all nutrients that supplement the body are collectively referred to as blood. The circulation of qi and blood maintains the balance and stability of various tissues and organs. When there is an imbalance or deficiency of qi and blood in the body, diseases or other conditions may occur.

It is worth noting that in TCM, the concept of the spleen goes beyond the organ itself and leans more toward a functional perspective. Apart from its immune function, the spleen also plays a crucial role in the digestive system, transforming dietary substances into qi, blood, yin, and yang. It absorbs and transports these elements throughout the body’s organs. Weakened spleen function can disrupt fluid metabolism, leading to the retention of “dampness” in the body.

To address water-accumulation obesity, it is essential to nourish the spleen and stomach while eliminating dampness and reducing swelling. The specific methods are as follows:

Massage Zusanli, Gongsun, and Sanyinjiao Acupoints

Massaging the Zusanli, Gongsun, and Sanyinjiao acupoints can help dispel dampness and promote weight loss. The Epoch Times

• Zusanli acupoint: located on the outer side of the lower leg, approximately four fingers’ width below the outer knee. Massaging this acupoint can strengthen the spleen and stomach, as well as dispel dampness and phlegm.
• Gongsun acupoint: located on the inner side of the foot, about 1 inch backward from the base of the big toe. Massaging this acupoint can invigorate the spleen and stomach, as well as promote urination and reduce swelling.
• Sanyinjiao acupoint: located on the inner side of the lower leg, approximately 3 inches above the inner ankle and four fingers’ width above the inner knee. Massaging this acupoint can regulate the endocrine system.

When massaging, perform around 30 strokes on each acupoint at least once a day. If there is swelling in the legs, you can also massage them again during an afternoon break.

Tap the Yuji Acupoint

TCM employs acupoint tapping to stimulate blood circulation and lymphatic detoxification, thereby achieving the effects of vitalizing qi and blood as well as promoting lymphatic flow. The specific methods are as follows:

Gently tapping on the Yuji acupoint on both hands can promote urination and dispel dampness. The Epoch Times

• Tap the Yuji acupoint: The Yuji acupoint is located at the base of the palm, beneath the thumb. Gently tap the Yuji acupoint of each hand against the other, with 50 taps on each side.
• Tap the cubital fossa (the hollow part of the elbow): Use the Yuji acupoint on your left hand to tap the right elbow continuously 50 times, then switch to the right hand and tap the left elbow another 50 times.
• Tap the inner thighs and feet: With your palm slightly arched, gently tap the inner sides of both thighs, moving downward along the meridian. Perform 50 taps on one leg, then repeat the process on the other leg.

Diet Therapy for Dispelling Dampness

In addition to acupressure, diet therapy is also beneficial for water-accumulation obesity. TCM recommends dietary remedies such as coix seed water, Si Shen Tang, red bean soup, winter melon and ginger soup, and black tea with ginger.

Si Shen Tang can tonify the spleen and stomach, nourish qi and blood, promote urination, and dispel dampness. The Epoch Times

• Coix seed water: Rinse coix seeds thoroughly and place them in a pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes until they are soft and cooked.
• Si Shen Tang: Si Shen Tang can invigorate the spleen and stomach, nourish qi and blood, and eliminate dampness, especially when combined with coix seeds. Rinse 30 grams of coix seeds, 25 grams of Poria cocos, 60 grams of euryale seeds, 30 grams of Chinese yam, and 60 grams of lotus seeds thoroughly. Place them in a pot, add 1,500 cubic centimeters of water, bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes.
• Winter melon and ginger soup: Winter melon, a cooling ingredient, pairs well with the warmth of ginger, creating a balance of yin and yang. Peel and deseed the winter melon, then cut it into small pieces. Shred the ginger, place both in a pot, add water, bring to a boil, and simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes until the winter melon is tender.
• Black tea with ginger: Slice the ginger thinly, place it in a cup, and add a black tea bag or black tea leaves. You can include a small amount of licorice to promote urination and reduce swelling. Pour hot water over the mixture and let it steep for about 5 minutes.

2. Dietary Restriction for Fat-Type Obesity

Dr. Shuzo Sato, a neurosurgeon in Japan, recommends skipping one meal per week while maintaining regular eating habits the rest of the time. After a year and a half of doing this, he successfully shed approximately 60 pounds (27 kilograms). Remarkably, he managed to sustain a healthy weight without experiencing any rebound over the following 12 years.

The body produces a hormone called leptin when you are full, which triggers the satiety center in the hypothalamus, signaling you to stop eating. However, giving in to tempting foods can desensitize this center, hindering its ability to signal fullness. If you can resist eating one meal and adopt a routine of skipping one meal per week, it can reset the brain’s satiety center, naturally aiding in appetite control and achieving your desired weight.

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2022 suggested that limiting calorie intake could reduce leptin levels, preventing malfunctions in the mechanism through which the hypothalamus receives leptin. Additionally, obese individuals often struggle to experience a sense of fullness due to inflammation in their hypothalamus, leading to blocked neural pathways associated with the feeling of satiety. Fasting may alleviate such inflammation.

If you find these methods suitable, there is no harm in giving them a try and sticking with them, as they might yield some unexpected positive results.

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