Traditional Chinese Medicine and Gluten-Intolerance

I have been trying to write my first article for the last few days, and I am having quite a hard time getting my thoughts to this page. I am trying to ignore what is preventing me from being able to explain digestion from a TCM perspective. However, today I realized I am ignoring what I really should be focusing on. I am having “gluten-brain”, and what perfect timing! It is never a positive experience, but why not turn this painful exposure to gluten into a learning experience I can write about?

For those who do not have an intolerance to gluten, or celiac disease, it can be very hard to understand the harm that gluten can cause. It is a very personal experience, with a wide range of symptoms, however, there is a symptom in particular that stands out for me. It’s when I feel that all of my energy has been sucked out of my body, in particular, my mind. This foggy-head feeling, or “gluten-brain” as I like to call it, is by far the worst symptom I can imagine.

I unintentionally ingested gluten the other evening. I was at a friends house for dinner, and they really went to a lot of trouble trying to make sure everything was gluten-free. Although there is so much awareness now, gluten is still a term that a lot of people do not full understand, or know enough about. It was a great 99% gluten-free dinner, but upon casually asking about the recipe, because it was so delicious, she listed off an very glutenous ingredient. Alarm swept through my body. I didn’t want to say anything as I knew she would be feel horrible, but immediately, panic set in. I knew how the next few days were going to unfold.

With years of experience, I can recognize my gluten-related reactions, but it makes me think about the people who walk around, systemically fatigued, foggy-brained, and even depressed who have no idea that gluten is potentially the cause. It can be difficult to recognize the effects of gluten, without ever having a better state of health to compare it with. Until reaching the other side of a gluten-free life, one may never know their full potential of health.

This little protein called gluten can be extremely damaging to intestinal walls. Thus, preventing very important vitamins and nutrients from being absorbed. A study from 2006 reported that one-third of individuals with celiac disease also suffer from depression, and the rates for a certain population for having depression were 31% among those with celiac and only 7% for those without. With studies like this, the correlation of gluten-intake (and therefore malabsorption) and mental health becomes very evident, and suddenly I don’t feel alone in my misty state.

In the past, I would just wait it out, walking around in a intoxicated-like condition, not being able to focus on anything for a few days. However, this time around I decided I would be proactive and actually do something to help myself. I turned to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to work my way through this “gluten-attack”.

Firstly, it is important to know that TCM organs have different functions from those in western medicine. When thinking of anything compromising digestion and absorption, from a TCM perspective it relates to the Spleen’s (Spleen-Stomach) ability to transport and transform food and fluids. Qi, the body’s life-force energy, needs to be flowing smoothy, efficiently and fully for the body to function properly, without disease. For those who suffer from gluten sensitivities or intolerances, the Spleen’s Qi is most likely to become deficient and depleted. This can also lead to a TCM term: dampness, which will even further damage the healthy flow of Qi. The Small and Large Intestine are also involved in proper digestion and absorption, so these organs are also considered.

Also, it is essential to note that one of the main TCM principles is holism. When considering this concept, and looking at the whole body, leading a strictly gluten-free diet for the rest of one’s life is the other way we can say TCM will treat celiacs disease. Avoiding gluten will never cure celiac disease, but educating someone with a compromised digestive tract on how to eat properly, to digest the most nutrients, and what types of food to eat is extremely beneficial. During digestion, the body will warm the food to the body’s temperature. With the Spleen/Stomach Qi already being damaged and thus its ability to warm foods, it is recommended to avoid cold, raw food that would further injure the Spleen, and eat warming or yang foods that are at least partially cooked.

Other aspects of TCM such as acupuncture and Chinese herbs work to strengthen the Qi, removed stagnated Qi and resolve dampness. The treatment protocol, and what I used on myself were points to tonify the spleen and the stomach Qi, regulate the digestive functions, dissolve dampness, heal digestive organs, relieve pain, and remove the “cloudy-mind” sensation.

The relief I felt after stimulating these points was like night and day. I did similar treatments for a few days, and each time feeling better. Although not a cure for Celiac disease, acupuncture can certainly help with the symptoms that result from ingesting gluten whether those be from an acute situation or the long term damage from eating gluten in the past.

I guess my opinion is bias, being a student of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, however, I can honestly say there is nothing that has helped my digestion better than TCM therapies.

Winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) term: “Holism”, refers to the the oneness of the human body and of the external environment around it. The heaven above and the earth below, and where the two meet, in the person. When assessing a patient or observing ourselves, we are constantly looking internally, to where what the dysfunction is, where the problem is occurring, and what is likely the causative factor. It becomes important to investigate everything that is happen in the body, but also taking into account the current season and the external environment it creates. The constitution of a person, as well as their interactions with the environment will either yield a healthy person who’s internal environment can adjust and adapt to exterior factors, or, if there is an issues, their constitution - or internal situation is not able to adapt and thus, diseases occurs.

Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity of destruction has been appearing in my thoughts a lot lately. Whether it be during yoga asana, meditation, mantra, or just daily thought. Today, it became apparent why the reoccurring thought: it is winter. The feeling and energy of destruction is among us. I always used to think of “destruction” as something to be afraid of, to avoid. However, destruction yields generation - new, and thus, the constant movement of life, it is so necessary and so beautiful. It is something to be embraced and enjoyed.

Although Hinduism and Taoism are separate philosophies, they have so many parallels they are sometimes thought of a branches of the same root. With Shiva making its constant appearance, I think to Chinese Medicine, and how winter, destruction, the extreme yin time of the year, needs to be handled with care. It must be respected in how we live our lives and take care of ourself during this time. Fighting this natural course of nature will only give rise to disease and disharmony of the body. When our external environment is prevalent in the weight of yin or yang, we must act to maintain balance. The constant ebb and flow of yin and yang is how we live every second of our life. Naturally, yin and yang will adjust to maintain the desirable balance of life, but often, we stand in the way of nature, and restrict this movement of oppositions, and then disease occurs. In the winter time, dryness, cold and dampness are external factors that are more prevalent than any other season.

Still, inward, cold and destructive are all characteristics of winter and of yin. When yin is naturally in abundance in the external environment, our internal systems will want to increase yang energy to stay warm and protect yin energy. The interaction keeps qi balanced. This is an ideal situation - however, as humans we tend to throw off the balance.

Being conscious of our decisions in the winter is the best way to avoid sicknesses that typically come with the season. We live in a society that changes and control the normal course of nature. In the winter, we make available foods that should only be available in the summer, cooling - yang damaging foods. We have artificial ways of heating our homes and ourselves, artificial lights, and our habits and daily activities do not change with the seasons, we maintain nearly the same schedules year round. The energy of the natural world changes, and yet, as humans, we do what we can to control it, and do not change and adapt to these inevitable changes.

To increase yang energy during the winter it is important to eat yang foods, cooked root vegetables, squashes, warming herbs and spices, stews, soups, bone broths (stocks) and grains like quinoa and buckwheat. Raw, cold foods only destroy yang more and should be avoiding during this vulnerable season.

Kidney is the organ associated with the winter season, so it is particularly important to pay attention to diseases and symptoms associated with kidney yin and yang deficiencies. This would include, fatigue, decline in hair quality, soreness in knees, back and teeth with regards to marrow, decreased reproductive/sexual energy and ear issues. Also with yin deficiency being prevalent in winter, the signs to look out for are dryness, insomnia, worry, night sweats, dizziness, dry throat and mouth, and a very red tongue.

With regards to the inward nature of winter, it is important to be in harmony with winter’s natural cycle, and slow down, look inward, reflect on your health, do replenishing activities, stay inside more often, and conserve or Qi or energy. It is no wonder during the winter months we feel like moving slower and resting more. It is our body’s natural cycle that is best to be acknowledged and respected. This can be further exemplified by the regular hibernation of some animals during winter.

Of the external pathogenic factors, “cold” is the most important one to be aware of in the winter. During this season cold pathogens can easily enter our skin and invade the interior. During particularly windy and cold days, try to stay inside, or if you are going out, protect yourself and cover up. Also, strenuous exercising outside should be avoided. When we sweat profusely the pores open up, and thus creating a perfect space for external pathogenic factors to enter, particularly wind-cold.

TCM practitioners say it is best to live in harmony with the natural environment. So, this winter, do what you can to following the natural course of winter, listen to your body. Get lots of rest and sleep, eat warming, cooked foods, spend time looking inward and calming the emotions, bundle up and stay warm.

Incredible India: Incredible Introduction

When I heard this term I had no idea what the word "incredible" would really amount to.

I am amidst some magical things. I always have been, but my senses are awakening in this magical place called India.

I am in India...

It feels like a dream. I have wanted and waited for this to happen for a long time, and here I am.

So many people asked me, “”Why India?” All I could think was because that is what I am mean to do. Something deep inside my soul was pulling me here. So, I listened.

The long flights, the noise, the people, the dirt, the chaotic feeling, the confusion, the stress of Delhi all seem easy compared to the struggle of trying to be actually present. To absolutely feel like I am here: mind, body and soul. It is a lot to digest, and a lot to take in, but I want to take in it all, I just don't know if I'll be capable to.

I felt like I arrived in India as quickly as I boarded the plane in Vancouver. I, all of a sudden, was swallowed up in India.

I do not want this to sound like “Eat, Pray, Love”, but the way Elizabeth Gilbert describes arriving in India is exactly how it felt. The second I got here, it felt like the country just swallowed me up. As if I have always been here, and no one noticed the addition of one more confused, overwhelmed soul. Of course I looked like a tourist, but people seemed to think I was of Punjabi or Kashmir descent, and treated me almost invisible. A gesture I would later greatly appreciate as my time progressed here.

Three quarters of the drive from the Delhi airport were fairly ordinary. Long stretch of highway, warmer air, and a strange smell. Then, we turned a corner and, BAM, welcome to India!

I barely had enough time to digest everything I was seeing before the car stopped abruptly in Paharganj, and the driver told me I was at my hotel.

I could not understand where a hotel could be amongst the chaos of people, particularly men, bright flashing lights, horns honking at record breaking rate, smoke, dust, garbage, rickshaws, tuk-tuks and fighting dogs.

Sure enough, a door on the corner with the hotel name I was expecting was visible. I slipped inside, half wanting to stay longer in the mesmerizing confusion I just got a glimpse of, and half so grateful for my escape

The next morning I took a nice hot shower, as I knew that would not be possible for the next month at the ashram where buckets of cold water awaited me.

I wanted to get some Indian clothes as everything I brought was very western, when in India, blending in as much as possible is a good rule to follow. The front desk clerk suggested a bazaar called Chandni Chowk.

And what a introduction to Delhi it was.

The chaotic mess called Chandni Chowk was amazing but paralyzing. As greatly I wanted to partake in what was happening, I equally wanted to run back to my hotel room, quick. Curiosity won, or rather my dodge of oncoming traffic won, and I found myself walking around aimlessly for hours in the maze of tiny alleyway after alleyway of  bright fabrics, yelling men, cows and the intoxicating smell of incense and other.. things...

As I roamed confusedly, for some reason I was desperately searching for another North American or European looking face. I think it was in part, to convince myself that there were other non-Indians like myself who were crazy enough to be here, and part confirmation that if other people were doing it too, I was not going to get swallowed up and disappear in India just yet.

After two hours of indiscriminately walking around (yes, this girl with an self-proclaimed "excellent sense of direction" was indeed lost), I saw a group of about 20 English tourist cruising down an ally in rickshaws. This gave me a sense of relief, which I don’t entirely understand, as they were just as much strangers to me as everyone else in this city. I suppose it confirmed for me, that as a foreigner I may be safe even if I felt like I could have vanished without a trace at any moment.

Perhaps all my anticipation and being a solo-female traveler was not the best recipe to have a positive first experience in Delhi, but nonetheless, it was an experience, and it was trilling at the same time as I was scared. In fact, after I finally digested everything in my presence, I said "screw it!"and walked into a tent the shop owner lured me in with flashy fabrics. I sat down next to him communicating with head nods and hand-gestures and paid way too much for what I thought was the most beautiful scarf I have ever seen.

Happy with my purchase, and more for my participating in the chowk, I began to plan my exit strategy and walked toward less populated areas. The heights of the buildings started to diminish and I knew I was getting closer to the outskirts of the bazaar. Then, I could just make out the top of the Red Fort, and used it as a landmark to navigate out toward the fort.

The Red Fort was beautiful, but I quickly grew tired as I realized every few steps people were staring at me, and approaching me for photos. After 10 minutes of taking individual photos with a family of twelve, and them denying me to take one group shot of them, I put my "don't mess with me" face on and put a stop to the "white lady photo opps". It would be a long 2 month I let this happen all day.

I then got another tuk-tuk to a richer neighborhood called Connaught Place, where, yes it was not so crazy and the stores were more Americanized looking, but where these “con-artists” lurked. In about 30 minutes I had 5 different men some how leech onto me and steer me to a store that “they didn’t have any association with” and lost about 5 times the amount of money I budgeted for that day. I had enough.  I am sure that Delhi has it’s positives and beauty, but 8 hours and I was exhausted and wanting nothing more but just to lock myself in my hotel room and lay down in my sleeping sack. And so I grabbed the closes tuk-tuk and concluded my Delhi experience.

Day 1 Tally:
Me:0 India:1