Diabetes & Poor Circulation
FOODS TO AVOID IF YOU SUFFER FROM COLD HANDS AND FEET OR POOR CIRCULATION
Cold hands and feet are an issue when you have sluggish blood circulation.
There are many reasons for this (diabetes, fibromyalgia, etc) but in Chinese medicine it would be due to stagnant Liver energy – the Liver boosts blood circulation around the body.
I was asked a question recently by someone who suffers from cold hands and feet, as well as swollen legs. This person also has Type 2 Diabetes, Fibromyalgia and Asthma.
Watch the podcast episode (scroll down for link) to see/listen to some food tips, qi gong and self-shiatsu that may improve your chilly extremities!
WHAT FOODS TO AVOID
COLD FOOD: Cold food and drinks put out the fire that the spleen and stomach need to digest. Instead of having ice-cold drinks in the morning, try a warm ginger tea!
EATING TOO MUCH: Overeating can also put out the fires that are needed for the spleen and stomach to digest. When you do have something to eat, try a bit of exercise or qi gong to get your digestive energies burning!
PEANUTS: Peanuts are full of lots of heavy oils and fats that congest the liver, so go easy on them.
FRIED FOODS: These heavily fatty foods also have a tendency to congest the liver and can be really difficult for your body to digest.
ICE CREAM: Dairy, especially cold dairy, is extremely damp forming and congesting to the liver. Eating this will prevent the spleen from producing digestive enzymes to transform the food in your stomach.
COFFEE AND ALCOHOL: Coffee affects the kidneys, and alcohol affects the liver. When you drink coffee, it gives you a boost of energy, but then very quickly it depletes the energy. Both of these will stagnate blood circulation in your body.
FRUIT JUICES: If you have type 2 diabetes or any intestinal problems, you want to avoid fruit juices. When you juice the fruit you take away the fiber that your body needs to slow your metabolic rate. Instead, go for the natural sugars of whole fruits.
(While I am not a medical doctor, I can use my knowledge of Chinese medicine and the 5 element theory to recommend some foods, self-shiatsu and qi gong exercises that can help to alleviate these symptoms, however I would always recommend that you speak to your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing with any medical conditions you may have.)
ASK A QUESTION, ASK ME ANYTHING!
The Ask Me Anything podcast series has been created to answer your questions using my knowledge of Chinese medicine, Qi Gong, Qi Food therapy and Shiatsu. You can ask a question by clicking HERE, or you can watch or listen to past episodes to see if your question has already been answered.
Your journey to health and balance is unique, and embracing the wisdom of TCM can help you achieve lasting freedom from cravings. Be kind to yourself, listen to your body, and enjoy the process of nurturing your health.
Until next time, stay balanced and be well.
Self-administered acupressure or Chinese Medicine is not a substitute for visits to qualified healthcare practitioners.
Knowing how to treat yourself and your loved ones with complimentary therapies like acupressure can be greatly beneficial and convenient. However, for serious and chronic conditions, you’ll want to visit an Shiatsu therapist / Acupuncturist or other qualified healthcare practitioner who can develop a treatment plan based on your unique medical history and combination of symptoms.
The information provided should not be considered medical advice.
