According to the traditional Chinese medicine principle of "nourishing Yang in spring and summer, and nourishing Yin in autumn and winter, supplementation at this time is essential. However, supplementation should not be done indiscriminately, as there are taboos to be aware of.
Taboo: Supplementing without illness
Supplementing without illness not only increases expenses but also harms the body. For example, an overdose of cod liver oil can cause poisoning, and long-term use of glucose can lead to weight gain, increased cholesterol in the blood, and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Taboo: Failing to distinguish between deficiency and excess
The therapeutic principle of traditional Chinese medicine is to "supplement the deficient." Those without deficiency syndromes should not use tonics. Deficiency syndromes are further divided into Yin deficiency, Yang deficiency, Qi deficiency, and blood deficiency. Only by taking the right medicine for the specific condition can the body be nourished; otherwise, the opposite effect will occur, harming the body.
Although health preservation is not as strict as treating diseases, it is at least necessary to classify the person into two main categories: those with a "cold" constitution and those with a "heat" constitution. Those with a "cold" constitution are sensitive to cold and prefer heat, have cold limbs, a pale tongue with a greasy coating, loose stools, and clear, frequent urination. Those with a "heat" constitution have hot palms and soles, a dry mouth with a bitter or foul taste, constipation, dark and scanty urine, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse. If one fails to distinguish between these constitutions and randomly takes medicinal diets, it can easily be "like adding fuel to the fire."
Taboo: Believing that more is always better
Any tonic taken in excess is harmful. The belief that "more tonics can cure diseases if you have them, or strengthen the body if you don't" is unscientific. For example, an excessive intake of ginseng and deer antler products can cause bloating and loss of appetite; an overdose of Vitamin C can lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Taboo: Believing all supplements must be meat
Animal foods are undoubtedly excellent supplements, not only for their high nutritional value but also for their delicious taste. However, meat is not easily digested and absorbed. For the elderly whose gastrointestinal function has already declined, long-term or excessive consumption can be an unbearable burden. Furthermore, certain "by-products" of meat digestion, such as excessive fats and sugars, are often the causes of common and frequently occurring diseases in old age, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. A light diet is also a form of nourishment; vegetables, in particular, should not be neglected. From the perspective of modern nutrition, fresh fruits and vegetables contain various vitamins and trace elements, which are essential nutrients for the human body.
Taboo: Replacing food with medicine
Supplementation through food is better than through medicine. It is unscientific to value medicine over food. Many foods also have therapeutic effects. For example, eating more shepherd's purse can treat hypertension; eating more radish can aid digestion, soothe the chest, and resolve phlegm; eating more Chinese yam can strengthen the spleen and stomach. Common foods like walnuts, peanuts, red dates, lentils, and lotus root are also excellent for supplementation.
Taboo: Focusing only on "taking in" and neglecting "expelling out"
With the improvement of people's living standards, many families have rich and greasy meals every day. The acidic and toxic substances produced from the metabolism of these foods need to be expelled in a timely manner. However, the accelerating pace of life has led many people to have irregular bowel movements or even constipation. Therefore, health experts have recently proposed a new health concept focusing on "negative nutrition," which emphasizes the excretion of waste from the body, reducing the retention and absorption of "intestinal toxins," and promoting timely and smooth bowel movements in addition to supplementation.
Taboo: Sticking to the same supplement forever
Some people like to take only one type of supplement based on their personal preference, which can develop into "picky eating" or "addiction" over many years. This is detrimental to health. Because both medicines and foods have therapeutic effects, they also have certain side effects. Long-term or excessive use can affect the body's nutritional balance. This is especially true for the elderly, as the function of their various organs declines to varying degrees and requires comprehensive and systematic conditioning. Moreover, the demands for health supplements and foods vary with the seasons. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust according to different circumstances; one cannot stick to the same supplement indefinitely.
Taboo: Believing that the more expensive, the more nourishing
"Rarity makes a thing precious." However, expensive traditional foods like bird's nest and shark's fin do not have any special therapeutic effects, while very common foods like sweet potatoes and onions have therapeutic values worthy of attention.
In addition, all dietary therapies have specific targets and indications. Therefore, medicinal diets should be chosen based on need, following the principle of "what is deficient, supplement what." Do not judge their value by price. This is especially true for the elderly, for whom practicality and low cost should be the principles of supplementation.