Blood Deficiency
Blood deficiency is a common condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) caused by a lack of nourishment to the blood. In this post, we will discuss the various symptoms, treatment, and dietary recommendations
Symptoms
- Pale lips, nail beds, tongue, complexion
- Dry skin, hair, nails
- Fatigue, coldness, dizziness, poor memory, difficulty focusing
- Tinnitus, anemia, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, migraines
- Palpitations, blurred vision, numbness,
- Hair loss, easily injured tendons, cramps/spasm, brittle nails,
- Scanty periods, infertility
- Causes
- Poor nutrition, restrictive diets, poor eating habits
- Poor absorption of nutrients from the food you eat
- Blood Loss (GI bleeding, heavy periods, surgery or medical procedure, childbirth)
- Chronic Disease
- Physical Trauma
- Excess alcohol/drug use
- Worry
- Overwork – physical/mental
Treatment
- Enhance absorption of nutrients from food by healing your digestive system: drink bone broth, get acupuncture, avoid foods and drinks that cause trouble.
- Get 8-9 hours of sleep each night: employ good sleep hygiene.
- Increase consumption of essential nutrients: iron, folic acid, B12, protein, copper, and Vitamin C.
- Eat your meals in a mindful way: eat slowly, chew well, in a calm environment, away from your desk/TV.
- Seek variety and balance in your diet.
- Go out into nature.
- Rest when needed, say no, and ask for help.
- Participate in relaxing activities: meditation, restorative yoga, Taichi, reading, art/crafting, journaling, and walking.
- Seek counseling if there are unresolved emotional issues
- Seek work-life balance.
Foods To Include
- Eggs
- Beef
- Chicken
- Liver
- Seaweed
- Nuts/seeds (soaked)
- Bluegreen algae
- Blackstrap molasses
- Leafy greens (cooked) – kale, Swiss chard, spinach, bok choy, collard greens
- Brown rice
- Oatmeal
- Muscles, oysters
- Beets, Yams
- Nettle tea
- Wheatgrass
Foods to Avoid
- Sugar
- Alcohol
- Dairy products
- Vegetable oils
- Processed foods
- Raw foods
- Cold foods/drinks
- Deep fried food
- Soy
References:
http://www.giovanni-maciocia.com/downloads/EJOM_Blood_Deficiency.pdf
‘Healing with Whole Foods‘ by Paul Pitchford
http://sixdegreeshealth.ca/resources/facts-lists/healthy-blood/