The Importance of Seasonal Nutritional Supplementation
According to Gu Yun, the director of the Geriatrics Department at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Longhua Hospital, nutritional supplementation can be beneficial throughout the year. However, the methods of supplementation may differ based on individual health conditions and seasonal changes.
Can You Supplement in Summer?
During summer, many people experience a decrease in body weight and a slight decline in their physical condition, often described as feeling "three parts empty without illness." Whether or not to supplement depends on the individual's health status. Director Gu emphasizes that supplementation is not limited to a specific season; it can occur whenever signs of deficiency, or “xu,” are present. Nonetheless, the method of supplementation is crucial, varying across different demographics and circumstances.
In the summer, the focus of supplementation should be on gentle, restorative foods. Strategies may include enhancing the spleen, dispelling heat, and reducing dampness. During this season, it is vital to pay attention to spleen and stomach health while steering clear of heavy, greasy foods. Recommended foods for summer supplementation include green beans, watermelon, loofah, winter melon, tomatoes, cucumbers, duck meat, grass carp, and crucian carp. Additionally, medicinal foods such as tremella, lotus seeds, yam, dried tangerine peel, and hawthorn can be effective. For those with poor appetites or thick tongue coatings, incorporating foods that strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, like yam and mung bean, is advisable.
Moreover, certain herbal supplements and health products may be incorporated into one’s diet, such as American ginseng, codonopsis, astragalus, poria, malt, and medicated leaven. Following the traditional Chinese medicine principle of “nurturing yang in spring and summer,” summer supplementation can enhance the body’s yang energy, potentially alleviating chronic conditions that are exacerbated in winter.
Cautions Regarding Self-Diagnosis
It is essential to note that traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes differentiating syndromes. A qualified practitioner should determine whether symptoms indicate deficiency or excess, or whether they reflect yang deficiency or yin deficiency. Self-diagnosis is discouraged. It is advisable to seek guidance from a qualified TCM specialist before starting any supplements or dietary alterations.
Do Older Adults Experience Deficiency?
As individuals age past 40, the functions of internal organs gradually decline. If appropriately cared for, many may avoid serious health issues or discomfort. However, numerous factors can impede one’s ability to maintain health, leading to fatigue and loss of appetite, especially during the hot summer months when feelings of lethargy and mental fog are common.
Director Gu explains that the feeling of fatigue does not always indicate a “deficient state.” In traditional Chinese medicine, "xu" refers to weakened vital energy, which is the body’s resistance to illnesses. Those experiencing a deficiency typically struggle to fend off external pathogens and are at increased risk for various diseases, thus warranting supplementation.
Mixed Deficiency and Excess
Some individuals may present symptoms of both deficiency and the presence of pathogens. In these cases, strengthening the body's defenses while dispelling the harmful factors is necessary. This approach seeks to enhance the body's vital energy while ridding itself of any external evils.
Understanding Excess Conditions
Excess conditions refer to the accumulation of harmful energies within the body. In TCM, these harmful energies can stem from excessive environmental factors, such as wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire, in addition to internal organ dysfunction. During summer, the most prevalent conditions arise from heat and humidity.
Conclusion
Understanding the appropriate methods for nutritional supplementation during different seasons is crucial for maintaining health, especially as one ages. Proper guidance from TCM practitioners can ensure that individuals receive tailored advice suited to their unique health profiles.