BALANCE POINT ACUPUNCTURE AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
  • Home
  • TEAM
    • Travis McIndoe - TCMP, Acupuncturist
    • Yin-Wei (Vivi) McIndoe - Registered Acupuncturist
    • May Shin - Registered Acupuncturist
    • Travis Irmen - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Kyle Compart - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Evelyn Wins - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Hailey McCloskey - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Mandy Wright - Manual Osteopath, Kinesiologist
    • Foivos Karatzos - Manual Osteopath
  • Services
    • Acupuncture
    • Micro Acupuncture
    • Herbal Medicine
    • Massage Therapy
    • Osteopathy
    • Kinesiology
  • Resources
    • Chinese Medicine Diets >
      • Yin Deficiency Diet
      • Spleen Qi Deficiency Diet
      • Liver Qi Stagnation Diet
      • Blood Stasis Diet
      • Damp-Phlegm Diet
      • Kidney Yin Deficiency Diet
      • Heart Blood Deficiency Diet
      • Cold Invasion Diet
      • Phlegm-Heat Retention Diet
  • Blog
  • Contact

Kidney Yin Deficiency: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Diet Therapy

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the Kidneys are of great importance and often a focus for treatment.  The Kidney system includes not just the urinary system but also the hormonal and endocrine system including aspects of the adrenals, thyroid, pituitary, etc.  It is said to supply Yin and Yang to the rest of the organs and body.  Kidney essence closely relates to genetics, vitality, and longevity.  Longevity treatments in Chinese medicine always have a prime focus on the maintenance of the kidneys.  A congenital weakness of the Kidneys or lack of Kidney essence results in birth defects and developmental problems.  A Kidney deficiency can result in problems with the bones and spine, central nervous system, hormonal system, and premature aging.

Some of the phrases commonly referencing the kidney in Traditional Chinese Medicine include:​  
"the Kidneys pertain to water"
'the Kidneys store essence"
"the Kidneys govern the bones (and teeth)"
"the Kidneys control the fire of the gate of life"
"the emotion of the Kidneys is fear"
"the Kidneys store the will"
"the Kidneys govern reproduction"
"black is the colour of the Kidneys"
In TCM theory, Yin represents the nutritional, cooling, calming, and moistening aspects of the body.  A deficiency of Yin generally leads to a relative excess of Yang and symptoms which may include a feeling of heat, restlessness, dryness, sweating, anxiety, or insomnia all of which have a tendency to worsen in the evening or at night.   

In general, TCM Diet therapy is aimed at consuming highly nutritious and easily digested foods at regular mealtimes.When diagnosed with a Yin deficiency one should follow a calming lifestyle with regular "early to bed" sleep patterns and a nourishing diet which avoids Yang activating foods like hot spicy foods such as cayenne and ginger and stimulating or drying foods such as coffee, tea, and alcohol.  

Recommendations
About 40% of your meals should consist largely of easily digested complex carbohydrates like grains and starchy root vegetables.  Another 40% of the diet should cooked vegetables and fruit.  Proteins scan make up the remaining 10 - 20% of the diet.  This is meant to be a tonifying diet and should be hearty though not overly rich and greasy.  We generally advise people to eat as they would if they had been doing hard, physical labour outside  in cold weather for 12 hours a day.  

Specific foods for Yin deficiency 
rice, oats, millet, barley, wheat germ, tef, quinoa, amaranth, 
milk, goat milk, eggs, yogurt, tofu, beans, nuts & seeds, aduki beans, black beans, mung beans, kidney beans, fava beans, black sesame seeds, goji berries
pork, beef, chicken, duck,
fish, clam, abalone, oyster, sardines
seaweeds, spiralling, chlorella,
virtually all vegetables especially the starchy and/or green ones 
virtually all fruit
olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, almond oil

​Foods to restrict or avoid 
chilies, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, onions, shallots, leeks, basil, cloves, wasabi coffee, vinegar (excluding apple cider vinegar), pickles, tea
lamb, shrimp, prawns, veal, game birds
cigarettes, alcohol, recreational stimulants 

For those interested in learning more about Chinese Diet therapy, you can pick up a great book called "Healing With Whole Foods", by Paul Pitchford usually available at Chapters.

© Travis McIndoe 2016

Printable version of the Kidney Yin Deficiency Diet
Kidney Yin Deficiency Diet.pdf
File Size: 53 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Conditions Treated at Balance Point Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine in Kelowna

NEUROLOGICAL 
Headaches/Migraine
Neuralgia
Peripheral Neuropathy
Post-operation pain
Stroke Recovery
Parkinson’s disease
Facial pain (Trigeminal-Neuralgia, etc)

MUSCULO-SKELETAL
Pain and weakness in: Neck, shoulder, arms,
hands, fingers, knees, legs, and feet
Sciatica and Back Pain
Muscle cramps
Traumatic injuries
Sprains, strains
Sports injuries
Arthritis
Disc problems
DIGESTIVE
Abdominal pain
Ulcer, G.E.R.D., Acidity
Chronic diarrhea 
Indigestion
Constipation

EYE, EAR, NOSE, DENTAL
Eye Diseases
Micro Acupuncture
Macular Degeneration
Tinnitus

Toothache
Deafness
Post extraction pain
Gum problems


INFECTIONS
Lyme Disease
Hepatitis
Viruses/Bacterial
Candida
RESPIRATORY
Sinusitis/

Allergies
Common cold and Flu
Tonsillitis
Bronchitis
Chronic Cough
Asthma

GYNECOLOGICAL AND SEXUAL HEALTH
Impotence
PMS, Cramps
Fertility
Obstetrics

EMOTIONAL
Traumas
Insomnia
Depression and Anxiety
Nervousness
Neurosis
OTHER BENEFITS
Hypertension

Increases vitality and energy
Stress reduction
Deep relaxation
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture
Weight Loss
Quitting Smoking 
alcohol, drug & other addictions
Anti-aging
Pain control
Regulates heart rate, blood pressure & chemistry

"INCURABLE" DISEASES
Chronic Diseases
Multiple Sclerosis
​
Autoimmune Disease
and many others...

At Balance Point we provide Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Osteopathy, and Massage Therapy services in Kelowna.
  • Home
  • TEAM
    • Travis McIndoe - TCMP, Acupuncturist
    • Yin-Wei (Vivi) McIndoe - Registered Acupuncturist
    • May Shin - Registered Acupuncturist
    • Travis Irmen - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Kyle Compart - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Evelyn Wins - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Hailey McCloskey - Registered Massage Therapist
    • Mandy Wright - Manual Osteopath, Kinesiologist
    • Foivos Karatzos - Manual Osteopath
  • Services
    • Acupuncture
    • Micro Acupuncture
    • Herbal Medicine
    • Massage Therapy
    • Osteopathy
    • Kinesiology
  • Resources
    • Chinese Medicine Diets >
      • Yin Deficiency Diet
      • Spleen Qi Deficiency Diet
      • Liver Qi Stagnation Diet
      • Blood Stasis Diet
      • Damp-Phlegm Diet
      • Kidney Yin Deficiency Diet
      • Heart Blood Deficiency Diet
      • Cold Invasion Diet
      • Phlegm-Heat Retention Diet
  • Blog
  • Contact