For a long time, some people have mistakenly believed that being overweight and having a large waist circumference signifies good nutrition.In reality, obesity does not equate to good nutrition. Like emaciation, it stems from nutritional disorders, differing only in the amount of fat stored within the body. Obesity represents not only excess body fat but also deficiencies in certain nutrients. For instance, many obese children often suffer from insufficient trace elements like iron and calcium, leading to various nutritional deficiency disorders such as iron-deficiency anemia and rickets.
Obesity predisposes to numerous other diseases
Obesity increases susceptibility to various vascular disorders. Beyond excessive subcutaneous fat accumulation, obese individuals also experience fat buildup within visceral organs and throughout the body's blood vessels. This predisposes them to multiple vascular diseases, particularly life-threatening cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. Research indicates that the incidence of hypertension among obese individuals is 1.5 to 3 times higher than in normal-weight individuals.Moreover, the higher the degree of obesity, the greater the incidence of hypertension and the more pronounced the blood pressure elevation. Among severely obese individuals, the incidence of hypertension exceeds 50%. Conversely, implementing weight loss measures to reduce body weight can correspondingly lower blood pressure.
Obesity readily induces diabetes. While obesity cannot be considered the direct cause of diabetes, its role in triggering the condition cannot be overlooked.Numerous studies confirm that the severity of obesity correlates directly with higher diabetes incidence. In many developed economies, diabetes is the most prevalent obesity-related disease. Approximately one-third of adults with diabetes are obese. Nearly all obese individuals exhibit elevated fasting blood glucose levels to varying degrees.The excessive weight gain in obese individuals places additional strain on the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine and lower limbs. Bones, joints, and other tissues enduring prolonged support of excessive weight are akin to carrying unnecessary burdens daily. Over time, this inevitably leads to cumulative strain, resulting in conditions such as arthritis, muscle strain, or spinal nerve root compression. This causes aches in the waist, legs, shoulders, and back, and may even lead to joint deformities, severely impairing limb mobility.
Obesity predisposes individuals to numerous other diseases. Elevated blood cholesterol levels in obese individuals increase bile concentration. Combined with abdominal fat compression hindering bile flow, this significantly raises the risk of gallstones. Additionally, obesity often involves fatty liver accumulation, leading to fatty liver disease and cirrhosis.Obese individuals are susceptible to various skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis vulgaris, keratosis pilaris, seborrheic dermatitis, acanthosis nigricans, skin atrophy lines, varicose veins in the lower limbs, and thrombophlebitis.Moreover, severely obese individuals frequently exhibit mental abnormalities. Mild cases manifest as persistent distress and anxiety, while severe cases may cause sensory and motor impairments, muscle spasms and convulsions, unsteady standing and walking, and even suicidal tendencies.
How to bid farewell to obesity? Try these Chinese herbs:
Cassia seeds: Possess bronchodilatory, cholagogue, hepatoprotective, and hypotensive effects, along with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They clear liver heat, nourish kidneys, improve vision, promote diuresis, and relieve constipation. Brewing cassia seeds as tea stimulates gastrointestinal motility, eliminates accumulated waste, and lowers blood lipids and blood pressure.
Hawthorn: Promotes gastric juice secretion and increases gastric enzymes. It also aids digestion, relieves diarrhea, and improves blood circulation.Containing saponins and flavonoids, hawthorn exhibits significant vasodilatory and hypotensive effects. It strengthens cardiac muscle, regulates arrhythmias, and modulates blood lipids and cholesterol levels. Plantago seeds: Promote diuresis and reduce swelling; nourish the liver and improve vision; eliminate phlegm and relieve cough. Particularly effective for chronic bronchitis, hypertension, urethritis, and cystitis.
Dried Tangerine Peel: Contains volatile oils, hesperidin, vitamins B and C. Its volatile oils gently stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, promoting digestive secretion, expelling intestinal gas, and enhancing appetite. It aids digestion, strengthens the spleen, dries dampness, transforms phlegm, reduces greasiness, and alleviates nausea.
He Shou Wu: When used raw, He Shou Wu strongly moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements. Its active component, emodin, stimulates intestinal peristalsis. It is particularly suitable for those with high blood lipid levels, aiding in bowel elimination after consumption.
Licorice: Licorice benefits qi, harmonizes the middle burner, clears heat, detoxifies, and eliminates phlegm to relieve cough. Combined with other herbs, it treats abdominal distension, intestinal rumbling with diarrhea, wheezing cough, and cramping abdominal pain.
Bitter Orange Peel: Regulates qi, relieves abdominal distension, and eliminates stagnation. It effectively addresses chest and rib qi stagnation, bloating pain, and undigested food accumulation. Thus, the first five ingredients primarily promote purgation, while the latter two harmonize and coordinate their effects. Together, they facilitate effortless fat reduction while minimizing adverse bodily reactions.