9th Edition of International Conference on
The concept of diet, or what one eats, is a major area of thought in traditional medicine, as it has been for centuries. However, in recent years, a negative concept has arisen concerning diet and its effects on illness and health. This trend is largely due to the rise of many processed and fast-food diets that have been linked to poor health outcomes. For traditional medicine, one of the most important aspects of diet is the balance of nutrient intake. For example, Chinese medicine believes that proper balance of yin and yang energies is essential for health and harmony, and that these energies are affected by the kinds of foods eaten. Too much yin food, such as sweet and cooling fruits, can lead to health problems such as illness and depression. Too much yang food, such as spicy foods, can lead to physical conditions such as hypertension. Another major principle of many forms of traditional medicine is the idea of eating “clean” foods, or foods that are produced organically and free from pesticides and other pollutants. Many practitioners believe that exposure to pesticides and other chemicals can lead to physical and mental health problems in the long run. This includes the idea that certain foods can be addictive and lead to further health problems, such as sugar and processed foods. In conclusion, the traditional concept of diet suggests that one should strive for balance in their nutrition and that eating only “clean” or organically grown food can lead to improved health and wellbeing. This approach can help to avoid the detriments associated with heavily processed and fast-food diets. As such, diet is an important concept to consider when striving for optimal health according to traditional medical thought.