TCM Basics 101: Weight Gain from Digestion-induced Dampness

In my previous post, you should know now that TCM has multiple mechanisms or pathways to explain about weight gain. The holistic nature of this medicine allows one to tackle the weight gain issue from not just simple fat freezing or dehydration to create the delusion of weight loss after one treatment, but really go into the root of the issue of individual cases and rectify the internal health problem behind the mask of the rise in numbers on the scales.

The common thing that I will hear from a group of patients is that they have reduced their intake of foods, tried to exercise more than usual, yet their weight still doesn’t budge.

Now in the analysis of weight problems, I usually divide the reasonings for weight gain into 2 big groups: increased “input” and reduced “output”. So for the group above, “input” has been reduced and “output” has increased. So where does the problem… — Now in the analysis of weight problems, I usually divide the reasonings for weight gain into 2 big groups: increased “input” and reduced “output”. So for the group above, “input” has been reduced and “output” has increased. So where does the problem lies?

Well, the problem is not from the obvious external actions like dieting and exercise bootcamping taken by the individual but stems from the internal energy transformation and utilization system in the body, which is mainly the Spleen and Stomach (or you can group it under the digestive system in Western Medicine). Basically whatever food you have eaten will need to go through the Spleen and Stomach to break down and transform into energy, driving your daily activities and even the fat burning basal metabolic processes within the body.

weight-gain-from-digestion-induced-dampness — However when this internal system is weakened, whatever you have eaten, no matter how small the quantity is don’t get broken down and burnt for energy. It stays in the body, UNDIGESTED. And this undigested matter becomes the ingredient and base for the formation of dampness.

You can see this dampness as fats, but it can encompass more than this realm. At the end of the day, weight gain, lethargy, feelings of heaviness still bothers and haunts the individual.

Read more about Dampness here.

So why the weakness in the Spleen and Stomach in the first place then?

And what can you do about bringing back the strength to these organs critical yet often overlooked for your weight troubles?

Further reading: