Article 33: Springtime Liver Nourishment: Food as a Priority and Dietary Therapy for Stomach Health
In spring, nourishing the liver starts with diet.
As the saying goes, "The year's plan starts in spring," and spring is also the best time to invest in one's health. The five internal organs correspond to the four seasons, and liver qi is at its peak in spring. Therefore, only by maintaining a vigorous liver function can one adapt to the vibrant changes in nature.
In spring, it's important to maintain a balanced diet for liver health. Eat plenty of protein and vitamin-rich foods, and limit animal fats. Eat meals on time, and if you have poor digestion, try smaller, more frequent meals to ensure adequate nutrient intake. Common liver-protecting foods include the following:
Corn: Rich in calcium, selenium, lecithin, vitamin E, etc., it has the effect of lowering serum cholesterol.
Garlic: A mixture containing sulfides that can reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and prevent blood clots.
Onions not only have antibacterial properties, but can also lower blood lipids and prevent arteriosclerosis.
Sweet potatoes: can neutralize excess acidic substances in the body, maintain the body's acid-base balance, and play a role in lowering lipids.
Spinach: It has the effects of nourishing yin and relieving dryness, soothing the liver and nourishing blood. Adding animal blood when making spinach soup can have an auxiliary therapeutic effect on liver qi stagnation.
Watermelon: It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving irritability and quenching thirst, promoting diuresis and lowering blood pressure. It is rich in vitamins and proteases. Proteases can convert insoluble proteins into soluble proteins, which is beneficial for human absorption.
Lychee: Lychee can strengthen the liver and pancreas, has a strong nourishing effect, and can eliminate viruses in the body.
Dried plums: Boiling dried plums into a decoction and adding sugar can relieve hangover headaches caused by excessive drinking.
Chicken liver: It has a sweet and warm flavor and nourishes the liver and blood. It is more effective in nourishing the liver than other animal livers and is an excellent food for liver health. Specific usage: Take 3 fresh chicken livers and 100 grams of rice, cook them into porridge and eat. This can treat symptoms such as insufficient liver blood and poor appetite.
Duck blood: Duck blood is neutral in nature and rich in nutrients, making it one of the best foods for protecting the liver. A specific method is to take 100 grams of duck blood, 100 grams of crucian carp, and 100 grams of white rice, cook them together into a porridge, and consume it to nourish liver blood.
Pig's blood: It has detoxifying properties and can remove impurities from the body. Regularly consuming pig's blood soup can help maintain liver function.
Milk: Contains a relatively high amount of calcium, which can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol.
Soybeans and soy products: rich in protein, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B, moderate amounts of fat and small amounts of carbohydrates, which are very beneficial for liver repair.
Seafood such as ribbonfish, yellow croaker, and silverfish, as well as oysters and crabs, can enhance immune function and repair damaged tissue cells.
Kelp: Rich in taurine, which can lower cholesterol in the blood and bile.
Vinegar: Its sour taste enters the liver, and it has the effects of calming the liver, dispersing blood stasis, relieving exterior symptoms, and inhibiting bacteria. Specific usage: Drink 40 ml of vinegar daily, diluted with warm water. It can also be used to soak eggs or soybeans in vinegar for consumption. It is particularly effective for hypertension caused by excessive liver yang.
Green tea is beneficial to the liver, and has anticoagulant properties, prevents platelet aggregation, reduces leukopenia, and promotes blood circulation. However, tea should be consumed in moderation and at appropriate times. It is suitable to brew light tea in the morning, and the total daily tea intake should not exceed 1000-1500 ml.
Take good care of your stomach
Due to intense social competition and changes in dietary structure, middle-aged people have become the main group affected by stomach diseases. Most middle-aged people suffer from stomach ailments to varying degrees, such as gastritis, gastric ulcers, and stomach cancer. In particular, the incidence of gastric ulcers is significantly higher in men than in women.
A health survey of middle-aged men revealed that up to 90% of gastroscopy findings were abnormal, ranking first among all diseases. Moreover, almost every male examinee had problems such as acid reflux and duodenal ulcers.
There are two main reasons why so many middle-aged men suffer from stomach problems: First, overeating, excessive smoking and drinking, and irregular lifestyles are the main causes of decreased stomach function. Second, psychological factors cannot be ignored. Middle-aged men face work stress and high life pressure. These adverse stimuli repeatedly affect the cerebral cortex, which can easily lead to stomach problems.
So, how can busy middle-aged people avoid harming their stomachs?
★ Improve your diet to inhibit gastric acid secretion
Acid reflux is mainly caused by frequently eating foods that are difficult to digest, which damages the gastric mucosa. Therefore, men should drink less strong tea and coffee, and eat less raw, cold, hard, and spicy foods that irritate the stomach, in order to reduce gastric acid secretion.
★ Moderation in smoking and drinking protects stomach health
Alcohol in beverages and nicotine in cigarettes can irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to ischemia and hypoxia, and potentially causing gastric motility disorders. Therefore, middle-aged men must exercise moderation in smoking and drinking to maintain or restore gastric health.
★ Adjust your mindset and eliminate tension
When a person is anxious, stressed, or overly fatigued, the cerebral cortex cannot effectively regulate the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased vagal nerve excitability and increased gastric acid secretion. Therefore, middle-aged men should pay attention to balancing work and rest, regulating brain nerves, and eliminating excessive tension to achieve physical and mental relaxation.
Issues to be aware of when treating stomach problems
First, anyone experiencing stomach discomfort should get checked out as soon as possible to obtain a clear diagnosis. Doctors can usually make a conclusion by reviewing symptoms, performing an endoscopy, and testing for Helicobacter pylori.
Secondly, those diagnosed with stomach problems should pay attention to the following: undergo regular and effective treatment under the guidance of a doctor to prevent the condition from worsening; have regular gastroscopy examinations to prevent benign stomach problems from developing into stomach cancer; avoid overeating and spicy foods, and abstain from smoking and alcohol; keep the stomach warm during seasonal changes or temperature fluctuations; and ensure sufficient sleep and moderate exercise.
Nourishing and protecting the stomach starts with diet
Middle-aged men are often busy with work, frequently eating hastily or rarely eating on time, both of which are very harmful to the stomach. Stomach care begins with eating regularly and in moderation, chewing slowly and thoroughly. Daily meals should consist mainly of easily digestible foods, eating until you are about 70% full, and maintaining regular, healthy eating habits.
For dietary therapy in cases of stomach ailments, it's best to choose soft, well-cooked, and finely processed foods to reduce gastrointestinal motility. Additionally, avoid sticky foods, such as those made from glutinous rice, as they are difficult to digest despite their soft texture. The following foods are helpful for nourishing and protecting the stomach:
Potatoes: Rich in vitamin C, starch, and minerals such as potassium and calcium. Even when heated at high temperatures, the vitamin C in potatoes is not easily destroyed, and regular consumption of potatoes can strengthen the stomach lining.
Pumpkin: Rich in starch, vitamin C, and carotene (vitamin A), its fruit, flowers, leaves, and seeds all have medicinal properties. The pectin in pumpkin can also protect the gastrointestinal mucosa from irritation by rough foods, promote ulcer healing, strengthen gastrointestinal motility, and aid digestion. Regular consumption of steamed or boiled pumpkin is beneficial for stomach and intestinal health.
Peas: Contain a lot of high-quality protein, but beans are not easy to digest and must be cooked until soft before eating. Cooking peas lightly and until soft, and then eating them in moderation, can also help with stomach and intestinal health.
Cabbage: Rich in vitamins C and K, it can promote the regeneration of the gastric or duodenal mucosa and help treat stomach ulcers. Blend cabbage in a juicer, heat slightly, and drink before meals. Continue this for about 10 days to see results. It's delicious raw or cooked, and regular consumption can also improve overall health.
Figs: Can treat stomach ulcers and strengthen a weak digestive system. Chop dried figs, boil them until partially dried, then add a little honey and water to taste. To preserve figs, first dry them, then boil them over a fire, and grind them into powder; when needed, simply steep them in boiling water.
Dandelion: Dandelions, which bloom in early spring, have stomach-strengthening effects and can be used medicinally or as food. The simplest way to use them is to wash the leaves, hold them in your mouth, and slowly chew them; the leaves and flowers can also be used as a side dish or in salads.