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JCM - Does Eating A Raw Food Diet Cause Spleen Qi Deficiency PDF
JCM - Does Eating A Raw Food Diet Cause Spleen Qi Deficiency PDF
JCM - Does Eating A Raw Food Diet Cause Spleen Qi Deficiency PDF
I
Background Raw food and TCM
n recent years there has been a growing trend In TCM terms eating excessive raw food is thought
towards raw food diets, advocates of which eat to be disadvantageous for health as it causes Spleen
a diet comprising 75 to 100 per cent raw food qi or yang deficiency due to its cold and damp nature
(Evans, 2010). The most widely accepted theory (Maciocia, 2005). This can result in many digestive
used to justify such diets is that heating food above disorders, as well as anxiety and other issues (Larre
40 degrees Celsius diminishes its nutritional value & Rochat de la Vallee, 2004). Classics such as the Nei
(Kenton, 2001). This theory has been verified with Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic) and Pi Wei Lun
regard to many vitamins and minerals, although it (The Spleen and Stomach Classic) state that an excess of
is not clear whether it is the case with all nutrients cold and/or damp-forming food can cause digestive
(McCance and Widdowson, 2002). The structure problems:
of proteins and protein-bound minerals may also
be altered or damaged by heat, as enzymes are ‘Eating a cold diet causes diarrhoea’ - Su Wen, chapter 42.
denatured above 38 degrees Celsius - which ‘raw (Veith, 2002)
fooders’ believe renders them less assimilable
(Howell, 1985). Healing centres around the world, However, these classics do not explicitly relate
such as the Gerson Institute and The Tree Of Life a large intake of raw food to such issues. In fact,
Rejuvenation Centre report positive results in the upon searching Chinese classic texts in both English
treatment of chronic conditions such as cancer, translation and the original Chinese no reference to
diabetes and heart disease by utilising these dietary ‘raw’, ‘uncooked’, ‘untreated’ or ‘unprepared’ food
principles (Gerson & Walker, 2001; Cousens & could be found. The quote above from the Su Wen
Rainoshek, 2008). The Gerson Institute website (2009) clearly states that cold food - which could mean cold
claims that ‘Over 200 articles in respected medical in nature or temperature - causes diarrhoea and thus
literature and thousands of people cured of their likely affects the Spleen (Veith, 2002; Li [Translated
"incurable" diseases document the Gerson Therapy's by Flaws], 1993). However not all raw food is cold
effectiveness’. Whilst most of these articles are case in nature and is not necessarily eaten when cold in
studies - and as such not acceptable as conclusive temperature; for instance, oranges, cherries, pungent
evidence - the sheer number of them indicates some greens like mustard leaves, ginger, the onion family
positive therapeutic effects of a raw food diet. and other spices are all considered warm or hot in
nature and are often present in raw diets (Pitchford,
2003). Thus the belief that raw food causes Spleen
Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number 97 • October 2011 Does Eating a Raw Food Diet Cause Spleen Qi Deficiency? 55
the raw food cohort was, on average, si years older than the results. Another limitation was the narrow approach:
the control group. When comparing these results to other a full diagnosis, assessing all clinical manifestations and
studies some correlations can be drawn. The most clear patterns, would be necessary to see whether or not other
of these is the increase in wellbeing associated with raw patterns - that may or may not be secondary to Spleen qi
food consumption observed in some of the previously deficiency - were also present.
mentioned studies (Nenonen et al., 1998; Kaartine et al.,
2000; Donalds et al., 2001). Another is the improvement in Conclusion
bowel habits; a study (Ling & Hanninen, 1992) that looked The results of this study suggest that eating a diet high in
into faecal activities one month after adopting a diet high raw food does not damage the Spleen qi, and conversely
in raw food found that - rather than the loose bowels might actually benefit the digestive system. This suggests
associated with Spleen qi deficiency - an ‘uncooked that the warnings typical in modern Chinese medicine
extreme vegan diet’ actually benefits bowel habits. texts of the adverse effects of raw food may be a result
However, the tongues and pulses of those eating a high of misinterpretation and/or oversimplification. However,
raw food diet without Spleen qi deficiency seemed to some physiological patterns were present in the raw
show two distinct physiological patterns that may show group that need to be investigated further to clarify the
other physiological effects of a raw diet. The slippery/ effects of a raw food diet from a TCM perspective. Also
wiry pulse and the swollen tongue with teeth marks that the validity of this research is limited due to the small
were common in this group appear to show a sub-clinical samples size and a less than ideal control group. Therefore
Spleen qi deficiency accompanied by with damp/phlegm further research needs to be conducted in this area with
or qi stagnation. The thready pulse and red, cracked larger, more representative samples and full diagnoses to
tongue that were also common appear to indicate a assess whether or not this conclusion is true.
pattern of blood and/or yin deficiency. Unfortunately the
questionnaire used here was only tailored to assess Spleen Joe Jennings studied TCM at Middlesex University
qi deficiency, so it is unclear whether there were any (UK). He integrates nutritional therapy with TCM and
rebirthing breathwork in Oxfordshire, UK.
further symptoms and signs supporting diagnosis of such
patterns. These findings may suggest Spleen qi deficiency
Ming Cheng studied Medicine at Guangzhou University of
amongst the raw food group was damaging the blood, or Chinese Medicine, Oxford University (MSc) and London
perhaps those with yin deficiency and heat are attracted to University (PhD). He is the principal lecturer in TCM at
the cooling effects of raw food (it should be noted that it Middlesex University, a Governing Board member for the British
not possible to tell whether these relatively symptomless Acupuncture Council, and chairs the Professional Conduct
patterns were getting better or worse). Committee for the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Assuming that the data gathered here are correct, eating An observational study.” BMC
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