Health Information

Summer Foodie’s Guide to Bone Health

Release Date:

2023-07-17 21:15

 

 

July 17—let’s eat, eat, eat! The Summer Foodie Festival is here, and so is the Summer Foodie Guide to Bone Health.

Diet is the foundation for nourishing the human body and sustaining life, and it also plays a significant role in disease prevention and treatment. Certain foods can directly treat illnesses and even serve as substitutes for pharmaceuticals, while others can complement medications to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Hence the longstanding adage: “Nutritional supplementation is superior to medicinal supplementation.” However, dietary therapy is not suitable for everyone, nor should it be employed indiscriminately whenever one is ill; therefore, when using diet to nourish and strengthen bones, it is essential to grasp the key principles.

 

The seasonal changes in climate exert a certain influence on human physiological functions and pathological processes. Therefore, it is essential to consider dietary preferences and restrictions in light of the specific climatic characteristics of each season.

 

Summer is in harmony with the heart; health preservation in this season emphasizes nurturing the mind, harnessing yang energy, and preventing heatstroke.

 

According to the interrelationships among the Five Elements—summer corresponds to Fire, the fifth phase signifies growth, the Five Zang organs are associated with the Heart, and the Five Flavors correspond to Bitter— In summer, it is advisable to consume bitter foods to dispel heat and nourish the heart. . At the same time, in summer the skin’s pores are open and loose, allowing yang energy to disperse and resulting in profuse sweating; at this time It is advisable to consume more sour foods to consolidate the exterior and more salty foods to tonify the heart.

 

From the perspective of yin-yang theory, during the summer months the yin energy is concealed within the body, so one should avoid consuming excessively cold foods and drinks. As the “Collection for Nurturing the Body” states: “In summer, the heart is strong while the kidneys are weak; even in intense heat, one should not indulge in cold treats such as iced noodles, icy desserts, honey water, jelly, or cold porridge. Overeating and exposing the stomach to cold can inevitably give rise to cholera.”

 

“Heart flourishing and kidney failing” signifies external heat and internal cold. Because of this imbalance, one should not consume too many cold foods; a small amount is acceptable, but overindulgence will surely chill the spleen and stomach, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Therefore, although watermelon, mung bean soup, and black plum and adzuki bean soup are excellent choices for quenching thirst and relieving summer heat, they should not be consumed chilled.

 

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine regarding the relationships among the zang organs, “Without the heart’s fire, the kidneys become cold; without the kidneys’ water, the heart becomes overly fiery. The heart must rely on the kidneys’ water for nourishment and moistening, while the kidneys must depend on the heart’s fire for warming.” From this it is readily apparent how vital the relationship between the heart and the kidneys is.

 

During the summer, tonifying remedies should simultaneously nourish kidney yin; only when kidney yin and heart fire are in harmonious balance can one achieve complete efficacy.

 

Dietary practices should nourish yang and clear the heart, strengthen the spleen and dispel summer-heat, with a focus on gentle tonification. The climate should be mild and temperate, flavors should be bitter yet light, eating should be moderate, and one should avoid rich, sweet, heavy foods as well as drying and heating substances.

 

It is advisable to choose foods with a light, nourishing and yin-tonifying effect, such as duck, shrimp, crucian carp, lean meat, shiitake mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, white fungus, and coix seeds. These not only replenish nutrition but also help cool the body and promote health.

 

It is also beneficial to consume congee such as mung bean congee, lentil congee, lotus leaf congee, and peppermint congee, which help dispel summer heat and generate body fluids.

 

During the hot summer months, human metabolism accelerates and energy expenditure increases, especially Outdoor workers should ensure timely intake of protein, vitamins, and carbohydrates.

 

Consume 100–120 grams per day of high-quality protein sources, such as fish, chicken, eggs, dairy products, and soy products, to meet the body’s metabolic needs. At the same time, ensure adequate intake of carbohydrates and salt, and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to replenish energy, vitamins, and electrolytes.

 

Alternatively, steep six slices of American ginseng and ten grains of Ophiopogon in hot water to make a tea; this remedy helps tonify qi and nourish yin while generating body fluids.

 

The renowned Warring States-period physician Bian Que once said: “The foundation of bodily well-being must be nourished by food and drink. Those who do not know how to choose appropriate foods cannot sustain life.”

 

A Summer Guide to Bone Health for Food Lovers: Help You Eat at the Right Time and Eat Healthy.

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