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Understanding Your Body Subtypes: A Guide to Eating Healthy

Alina Rivers




Ever wondered why some people thrive in cold weather while others shiver? The answer might lie in your body subtype. The Nine Body Subtypes in Chinese Medicine provide a way to understand how different people react to their environment, diet, and emotions. Each type has its unique strengths and weaknesses. Maintaining balance is key.


1. Neutral Constitution (Balanced Type)

  • What it means: This is the ideal, balanced state where the body's energy, circulation, and metabolism function optimally.

  • Signs: Good digestion, strong immunity, stable emotions, rosy complexion, restful sleep.

  • Health Tip: Maintain balance with a varied diet, regular exercise, and stress management.


2. Qi Deficiency (Low Energy Type)

  • What it means: The body struggles to produce and circulate energy efficiently, leading to fatigue and a weak immune system.

  • Signs: Easily tired, pale skin, shortness of breath, weak voice, frequent colds.

  • Health Tip: Focus on energy-boosting foods like chicken soup, ginger, and warm herbal teas. Avoid excess raw or cold foods.


3. Yang Deficiency (Cold-Prone Type)

  • What it means: Low metabolic heat production, leading to a cold body and sluggish circulation.

  • Signs: Cold hands and feet, dislike of cold weather, bloating, low libido.

  • Health Tip: Keep warm and support metabolism with foods like lamb, cinnamon, and black beans. Avoid cold drinks.


4. Yin Deficiency (Overheated & Dry Type)

  • What it means: The body lacks cooling and moisturizing fluids, leading to dryness and overheating.

  • Signs: Dry skin, night sweats, irritability, trouble sleeping.

  • Health Tip: Hydrate with cooling foods like pears, honey, and lily bulbs. Avoid too much spice and fried food.


5. Phlegm-Damp (Sluggish & Oily Type)

  • What it means: The body's ability to process fluids and waste is slow, leading to water retention and sluggishness.

  • Signs: Weight gain, puffy face, greasy skin, feeling heavy.

  • Health Tip: Avoid excess sugar and fried food. Focus on digestive-friendly choices like barley, green tea, and celery.


6. Damp-Heat (Inflamed & Oily Type)

  • What it means: Excess heat and moisture in the body lead to inflammation and skin issues.

  • Signs: Acne, bad breath, excessive sweating, yellowish urine.

  • Health Tip: Eat cooling and detoxifying foods like celery, cucumber, and soybeans or soymilk. Avoid spicy and fried food.


7. Blood Stasis (Poor Circulation Type)

  • What it means: Blood flow is sluggish, leading to poor oxygen and nutrient delivery.

  • Signs: Cold hands and feet, dark spots, muscle tension, varicose veins.

  • Health Tip: Improve circulation with warming spices like turmeric, saffron, and black fungus. Avoid excessive greasy foods.


8. Qi Stagnation (Stress & Emotional Type)

  • What it means: Stress and tension block energy flow, leading to mood swings and digestive discomfort.

  • Signs: Anxiety, frequent sighing, chest tightness, bloating.

  • Health Tip: Relax with calming foods like rose tea, tangerine peel, and mint. Avoid emotional overeating and heavy meals.


9. Inherited Special Constitution (Allergy-Prone Type)

  • What it means: Genetic factors influence immune response, leading to sensitivities and allergies.

  • Signs: Prone to asthma, allergies, skin conditions, or autoimmune issues.

  • Health Tip: Strengthen immunity with a balanced diet, avoiding triggers specific to the individual.


Each individual requires personalized care as you may have more than one or two or three body subtypes and that is completely normal. The key is to pay attention to your body and symptoms on a daily basis to understand the signals that your body is trying to tell you. It is totally worthwhile to understand your body subtypes as balancing your constitution can improve energy levels, digestion, immunity, and skin health.

 
 
 

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