Chronic inflammation and diet: an Eight Constitutional Medicine perspective

Many individuals with chronic illness experience persistent inflammation and digestive issues such as indigestion, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or constipation. These symptoms not only disrupt digestion but also affect sleep quality and overall psychological well-being. Addressing these problems through diet can be a key step in reducing inflammation and improving chronic illness.

Amidst so many diet trends and conflicting advice, however, finding the right approach can be overwhelming. Patients who take the initiative to heal their gut and manage their condition often struggle to determine which diet will work best for them.

A Personalised Approach with Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM)

Eight-Constitution Medicine (ECM) recognises that one size does not fit all - people have different physiological and pathological characteristics that fall into one of 8 types. ECM provides a personalised approach to help patients discover the optimal foods and lifestyle choices for their specific body type.

Patients in good health often find that the ECM regimen closely aligns with their existing diet. However, those with chronic illness often notice a contrast between their usual diet and ECM food recommendations for their type. Initially, some may resist the dietary changes, but over time, many report noticeable improvements in their chronic inflammatory condition.

People often overestimate how difficult it will be to give up their favourite food, but once some balance is restored, they soon notice the benefits. A person's gut chemistry changes, and that once-favourite food may become less appealing.

Different Body Types, Different Dietary Needs

Some ECM body types thrive on a meat-based diet, which supports their energy levels and psychological well-being. Others do better on a plant-based diet, which helps prevent atopic inflammatory conditions.

Some Typical Examples of ECM Body Types and Their Food Choices:

• Liver and Gallbladder Dominant Types (Hepatonia and Cholecystonia) have strong bile production, making them well-suited for digesting dietary fats. However, a high-carbohydrate, high-sugar, low-protein, or low-healthy-fat diet can leave them feeling fatigued and increase their risk of inflammatory diseases, including diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, arthritis, and cardiovascular disease.
• Lung and Colon Dominant Types (Pulmonotia and Colonotonia) have weaker liver and gallbladder function, making it difficult for them to digest meat, animal fats, and gluten-containing products such as wheat. As a result, they may be more prone to atopic conditions, including food allergies, atopic dermatitis, and allergic asthma. Additionally, due to weaker liver detoxification, they may experience stronger adverse reactions to medications, such as gastrointestinal disturbances, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, cardiac arrhythmias, peripheral neuropathy, anxiety, and insomnia.

One Diet Doesn't Fit All

The key takeaway is that no single diet works for everyone. For example, while a ketogenic diet may help reduce inflammation in certain body types, others may find that a vegetarian diet alleviates their allergic and inflammatory flare-ups.

By following the right diet, individuals with chronic inflammation and gut issues can support faster recovery and establish a strong foundation for long-term health. ECM offers constitutional diagnosis to determine one's body type, treats chronic disorders through Constitutional Acupuncture, and provides tailored food and lifestyle recommendations to support healing, especially for those with severe or chronic inflammatory disorders.

For an overview of ECM body types, please see this previous article.

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