By Dr. Abayomi Meeks
 In my June article, I elaborated on the eastern medical theory of five elements, with a focus on the Earth or stomach and spleen complex. This article will focus on the element of fire or heart and small intestine complex. The heart regulates the flow of blood vessels. In eastern medicine, if the heart is healthy the pulse will be even and regular. The extremities of the body will have abundant, normal blood supply. From an eastern standpoint, the heart also governs the “shen” or spirit of an individual. When the shen is disturbed or impaired, the individual may show symptoms such as insomnia, memory loss, depression, hysteria or irrational behavior, pallor, and numbness in the legs or arms.
The small intestine rules the separation of the pure from the turbid. It receives from the stomach what has been completely decomposed, and continues the process of the separation and absorption. The pure or clear substance is extracted by the small intestine and sent to the spleen, while the turbid continues to the large intestine for final processing and excretion as waste. Symptoms of small intestine illness can include abdominal pain, intestinal rumbling, diarrhea, constipation, or bloating. Illness of both the heart and small intestine can directly affect the other. For example, a person who has difficulty with proper digestion of food may also suffer from insomnia due to abdominal discomforts during the night.
Foods that help this organ complex to heal or stay healthy are generally red in color, such as beets, berries, or apples. Most foods that damage this organ complex are obviously excessive salt, fat, or sugar as well as wheat gluten. That’s right. I know you are thinking, “Did he just mention something else I should not eat?!” Yes! Gluten intolerance is a culprit in a very common disease affecting the small intestine called celiac disease. This disease is a digestive condition triggered by consumption of the protein gluten, which is found in breads, cookies, pizza, foods containing wheat, barley, rye, oroats. When a person with celiac disease eats foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in the small intestine resulting in damage to the intestine’s surface and an inability to absorb nutrients from food. Celiac disease has no typical signs and symptoms, but most people with the condition have the symptoms mentioned in the previous paragraph. Holistic natural medicine can treat the condition combined with effective dietary management. There is medical documentation, and I have seen in my own clinic, that gluten intolerance may also be a cause of some migraine headaches.
If you experience any of the signs or symptoms common to celiac disease see your doctor or other health practitioner. A blood test can detect the prevalence of specific antibodies, or a trial gluten-free diet may help confirm a diagnosis. So eat healthy and always observe your body’s reaction to what you consume!
Editor’s note: Abayomi Obadélé Meeks, B.S., D.Ac. L Ac. is a doctor of acupuncture and holistic medicine with more than 20 years experience. He is the first African American licensed to practice this medicine in Colorado, and the founder of Moyo Healing and Cultural Arts Center.
Return To Top |
