Transform Your Health Today

While conventional treatments like medication and cognitive-behavioral therapy can be effective for treating insomnia, alternative treatments like TCM may also offer promising benefits. If you’re struggling with sleepless nights, consider exploring TCM as an option for improving your sleep quality.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to treat insomnia. Here are some of the ways that TCM can help treat insomnia:

1. Regulating Qi and Blood flow: In TCM, insomnia is often attributed to imbalances in the flow of Qi (vital energy) and Blood in the body. TCM treatments like acupuncture and herbal remedies can help regulate this flow, promoting relaxation and calmness which can improve sleep quality.
2. Balancing Yin and Yang: TCM emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang energies in the body. TCM treatments can help restore balance between Yin and Yang energies, leading to improved sleep.
3. Addressing underlying health conditions: Insomnia may be a symptom of an underlying health condition. TCM practitioners will identify the root cause of insomnia and treat any underlying health issues to improve sleep quality.

If you’re struggling with insomnia, consider consulting with a qualified TCM practitioner to develop a personalized treatment plan that can help you get the restful sleep you deserve.

To help you achieve & maintain a healthy weight, we provide comprehensive support via 6 steps:

1. Understand why your body puts on weight
2. Determine which part of your body is prone to store fat
3. Design a customized action plan for YOU
4. Utilize acupuncture and herbal strategies to assist in the nutrition and exercise plan. Get results fast!
5. Our doctor will support you as a wellness consultant during your weight loss journey. 
6. Our community will provide the support you are looking for.

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Why Can We Help You Loss Weight and Keep it Off?

Because we follow Dr. Seung Choi's Yangsung Therapy, which is a multi-faceted approach (including behavior, mind, and inner-self) for the purpose of holistic treatment.

• The first dimension of "behavior" is the process of controlling behavioral guidelines such as diet and exercise.

• The second dimension of "mind" is the intellectual approach to emotions and thoughts that cause behavioral problems.

• The third dimension of "inner-self" is the process of correctly realizing the unconscious self, which is the source of conscious thought.

 Some people would be dedicated to

their diet for a certain amount of time and then fall back to binge eating.

 People who ride this kind of roller coaster of yoyo dieting often have social or emotional difficulties.

"If only I lose weight, I'll finally become pretty." 

But in fact, isn’t it the other way around?

Our job is to help you correct your body image. When you believe you are beautiful, your weight will fall.

BODY ACCEPTANCE + WEIGHT LOSS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8NiBK2eubc&list=PL9eWEHQPXHwUhDjgYmIcICK8qIxFzLSxi&index=37

Above is an example of emotional eating copied from Dr. Seung Choi's classnote

Videos about this topic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-qW8sVYxu4&list=PL9eWEHQPXHwUhDjgYmIcICK8qIxFzLSxi&index=16

 Anyone can gain weight. We can experience some weight changes when we go through certain periods in our lives. When you gain extra weight, it is essential to not consider yourself as a fat person. 

Statistics indicate that only 5 out of 100 succeed in dieting.

 Your success on a diet will be determined by how much you love and accept

yourself. 

A diet should be considered a tool for nurturing, not torturing yourself.

Therefore, an individual should not feel trapped, but rather be a master of your diet.

When you think about your diet,  

What is it that you really don’t want to do?

To focus on that specific thing would be

your shortcut to a success!

Videos about this topic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Ms5G26ZCA&list=PL9eWEHQPXHwUhDjgYmIcICK8qIxFzLSxi&index=25

To lose weight, incorporating foods high in protein and fiber, while reducing calorie-dense choices, can be helpful. 

Focus on lean protein sources like fish, poultry, beans, and legumes, as well as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. 

Three important factors for your choice of exercise: fun, accessible, consistent.

When the exercise is fun and accessible, you would be able to keep it going and make it a consistent part of your life.

Remember to be patient with yourself and create a new rhythm during the initial four weeks, subsequently, it will become much easier. 

By the third month your confidence will increase, you will be satisfied with your healthy eating plan and

you will be exercising regularly!

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/habit-formation-essential-strategies-success-pedro-pinto-pbk5f/

The point to success is making it your habit. 

It's not a matter of your willpower.

If you failed a diet, it’s not because you have a weaker willpower. It’s because you haven’t formed a proper eating habit yet.

If you’re fighting against your appetite, you would definitely lose. The only way to win is to make it a lifelong habit.

You should eat everything you want during your diet, but in smaller amounts.

If you totally eliminate or restrict sweets that you enjoy, it will eventually backfire on you. 

So, if there is a particular food you really want to have, eat it occasionally and in moderation.

Please remember that this is a journey and do not try to be perfect every day. Perhaps you might get a 90% score for yesterday, 60% for today, 70% for tomorrow. So, a couple of days of 0% wouldn’t matter in the end.

I have witnessed that people with an average of 60~80% daily scores are the ones who succeed the most.

- Dr. Seung Choi

The science behind intermittent fasting is based on altering the body's metabolism. During a period without eating, insulin levels drop to the point that the body begins burning fat for fuel. Additionally, the thinking goes, by slowing the body's metabolism, you cause your appetite to drop off and thus will consume fewer calories when you resume eating.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of intermittent fasting for weight loss. However, it's not clear that it is any more effective than simply restricting calories and following a normal eating schedule. One possible reason for the success of intermittent fasting is that most practitioners have quit the habit of eating during the late evening and night hours. Restricting eating to earlier in the day aligns better with our bodies' circadian rhythms, and is less likely to cause us to store our food in fat cells.

Copied from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/diet-and-weight-loss#:~:text=A%20healthy%20diet%20favors%20natural,a%20banana%20with%20peanut%20butter.

  Elevated cortisol levels, often associated with stress, can contribute to increased belly fat accumulation, a condition sometimes referred to as "cortisol belly". This happens because high cortisol levels can increase appetite, particularly for unhealthy foods, and promote fat storage, especially in the abdominal area. Additionally, cortisol can disrupt insulin sensitivity, further contributing to weight gain.

 Insulin resistance, where cells don't respond properly to insulin, can contribute to excess belly fat 

  Estrogen, a female sex hormone, helps regulate where fat is stored in the body. As estrogen levels drop during menopause, there's a tendency for fat to shift towards the abdominal area, leading to a "menopause belly". 

  Low testosterone levels are often associated with increased abdominal fat in men. As men age, their testosterone production naturally declines, and this can contribute to weight gain, particularly in the abdominal area. Conversely, excessive abdominal fat can also negatively impact testosterone levels. 

High-quality foods – rich in nutrients, minimally processed and free from excessive additives – support optimal bodily function and promote longevity. Conversely, low-quality foods that are highly processed and nutrient-poor contribute to health issues over time.

Rich in nutrients:They provide a good source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other essential nutrients that support overall health.

Examples of High-quality food: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and legumes. 

Examples of low-quality food: Sugary drinks, processed snacks, fast food, refined grains, fried foods, and foods high in saturated and trans fats. 

So when you choose what to eat, in addition to the food's caloric value, you should also consider whether the food is nutrient-dense high-quality food, because it's critical for your weight loss and overall physical and mental well-being.

Choosing low-glycemic foods, which are less processed and have a lower impact on blood sugar levels, can help you feel fuller longer and potentially manage your weight more effectively.

Why are Low Glycemic Foods Important?

• Blood Sugar Control: They help prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to energy crashes and other health problems. 
• Weight Management: Low-GI foods tend to be more filling, which can help with weight management. 
• Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: A diet rich in low-GI foods has been linked to a reduced risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. 
• Improved Overall Health: Low-GI foods are often rich in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, which contribute to overall health and well-being. 

  Foods with a Low Glycemic Index (GI): 

• Vegetables: Spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans, and other leafy greens. 
• Fruits: Apples, berries, oranges, plums, and avocados. 
• Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and kidney beans. 
• Grains: Steel-cut oats, barley, quinoa, and whole-grain bread.
• Dairy: Greek yogurt, low-fat milk, and cottage cheese.
• Nuts: Cashews, peanuts, and almonds.
• Proteins: Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs. 

Processed foods can be detrimental to health due to high levels of added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats, as well as a lack of essential nutrients. These ingredients can contribute to serious health issues. Additionally, ultra-processed foods often displace more nutritious whole foods in the diet, potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies and other negative health effects.

  Here's a more detailed look at why processed foods are often not good for you:

1. High in Unhealthy Ingredients:

• Added Sugars
• Sodium
• Unhealthy Fats

2. Lack of Essential Nutrients:

• Processed foods often lack essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber found in whole, unprocessed foods. 
• The nutrient-poor nature of processed foods can make it difficult to meet daily nutritional needs.  

3. Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases:

• Diets high in processed foods have been linked to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer.  
• Excessive sugar consumption can also contribute to tooth decay.  

4. Displacement of Healthy Food

5. Additives and Potential Risks

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/mindful-eating/

What Is Mindful Eating?

Eating mindfully means that you are using all of your physical and emotional senses to experience and enjoy the food choices you make. This helps to increase gratitude for food, which can improve the overall eating experience. Mindful eating encourages one to make choices that will be satisfying and nourishing to the body. However, it discourages “judging” one’s eating behaviors as there are different types of eating experiences. As we become more aware of our eating habits, we may take steps towards behavior changes that will benefit ourselves and our environment.

  The Research So Far

The opposite of mindful eating, sometimes referred to as mindless or distracted eating, is associated with anxiety, overeating, and weight gain.  

Intervention studies have shown that mindfulness approaches can be an effective tool in the treatment of unfavorable behaviors such as emotional eating and binge eating that can lead to weight gain and obesity, although weight loss as an outcome measure is not always seen.

Mindfulness addresses the shame and guilt associated with these behaviors by promoting a non-judgmental attitude. Mindfulness training develops the skills needed to be aware of and accept thoughts and emotions without judgment; it also distinguishes between emotional versus physical hunger cues. These skills can improve one’s ability to cope with the psychological distress that sometimes leads to binge eating. 

The story of carbohydrate metabolism is really the story of glucose metabolism.

From the above text (copied from the university textbook named Principles of Anatomy & Physiology) we can see if we over-consume carbohydrate food, the surplus will be converted to fat and stored up in our body and cause weight gain.

  Low-carbohydrate diets can lead to increased weight loss, especially in the initial stages, due to increased fat burning and reduced insulin levels. 

To get into fat-burning mode, you need to lower your insulin by reducing your carbohydrates and doing intermittent fasting. 

Source: Principles of Anatomy & Physiology

Figure 25.14 on page 955 of 14th Edition

Most fat we eat will be stored in fat depots throughout the body and in the liver if the body has no immediate need to use liquids to produce ATP

  Hardvard University:

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/

  When it comes to dietary fat, what matters most is the type of fat you eat. Contrary to past dietary advice promoting  low-fat diets, newer research shows that healthy fats are necessary and beneficial for health.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=how+different+calorie+affect+weight+loss+differently&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Protein-rich diets tend to promote greater weight loss, even with similar calorie intake, due to its higher thermic effect and greater satiety. The body expends more energy digesting and processing protein compared to carbohydrates or fats. Additionally, protein can help reduce appetite and hunger cravings, further contributing to weight loss. 

The following information comes from the university textbook named Principles of Anatomy & Physiology

Metabolic Rate: the overall rate at which metabolic reactions use energy.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): the metabolic rate measured under standard conditions, with the body in a quiet, resting, and fasting condition.

BMR is 1200-1800 Cal/day in adults. The added calories needed to support daily activities, such as digestion and walking, range from 500 Cal for a small, relatively sedentary person to over 3000 Cal for a person in training for Olympic-level competitions or mountain climbing.

The following information comes from the textbook Principles of Anatomy & Physiology

Energy Homeostasis: the precise matching of energy intake to energy expenditure over time. 

When the energy content of food balances the energy used by all the cells of the body, body weight remains constant (unless there is a gain or loss of water).

Energy intake depends on the amount of food consumed (and absorbed).

Three components contribute to total energy expenditure: BMR, physical activities, and food-induced thermogenesis

The following information comes from the textbook Principles of Anatomy & Physiology

How is food intake regulated?

It depends on many factors, including neural and endocrine signals, levels of certain nutrients in the blood, psychological elements such as stress or depression, signals from the GI tract and the special senses, and neural connections between the hypothalamus and other parts of the brain.

Within the hypothalamus are clusters of neurons that play key roles in regulating food intake, eg. the satiety center.