Laurie Morse Acupuncture: Herbal & Nutritional Therapy

Traditional Chinese Medicine Nutritional Support System:
Nutrition is our body's fuel; therefore it is not optional that we provide our system with proper nutrients if we are to enjoy health and balance. Our blood carries the vital nutrients to our organs, skin, tissues and bones. The richer our blood's nutrient base, the healthier we are. It is said in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) that if our skeletal system is weak (i.e. a mal-aligned spinal column or weak bones) then we have a deficiency of Kidney Essence (see article entitled "TCM and Back Pain"). We can restore post-birth Kidney Essence via extracting refined essence from the food that we eat. Carrying extra weight upon our skeletal frame affects our posture, weakens our bones and impairs proper nutrient delivery. Thereby, it is essential that the quality of our food be nutrient rich, vital and whole. This is an especially important consideration pre and post op.

We must shift our perspective from short-term, taste-bud gratification to preventative and long-term internal health and support when it comes to our nutritional choices. Below is an outline of good nutritional choices, with the design of regulating the endocrine system, settling over-active inflammation and stabilizing blood sugar. Invest some time in your health and design a way that you can incorporate these choices and shift your nutrition for the better. It is best to devise a long-term plan and incorporate new strategies one step at a time as your success will higher and it will last. When there is a dietary failure or poor choice made (as there will inevitably be!), recognize this as more information on how to support better choices. It's not all or nothing; it's trial and error. Resolve to not give up on yourself and to stay with your journey through the 'good times' and the 'opportunity to learn times.'

Nutrition Objectives:

Regulate the Endocrine System and balance hormones
Nourish the blood
Regulates cravings and stabilize blood sugar
Improve metabolism
Reduce inflammation in the body
Stabilize moods and increase energy
Prevent chronic disease process
Decrease excess weight

Are you committed to and willing to take responsibility for accessing a higher level of health?

In TCM it is the Earth element that controls and regulates digestion. The organs of the Spleen and Stomach comprise the Earth element. It is this yin/yang system that receives nutrients from our food, transforms the food into blood nutrition and transports via the blood, the available nutrition to our entire body. This system thrives on regularity, is greatly burdened by overeating, is weakened by improper foods (especially excess carbohydrates), and needs a balance of macronutrients to support healthy function in the body. It is a function of the Kidney system to supply the "heat" to the Earth element for transformation and transpiration of nutrients to the body.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: email us aculauriemorse@gmail.com or call 858-270-6614.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is the Earth element that controls and regulates digestion. The organs of the Spleen and Stomach comprise the Earth element, it is this yin/yang system that receives nutrients from our food, transforms the food into blood nutrition and transports, via the blood, the available nutrition to our entire body. This system thrives on regularity, is greatly burdened by overeating, is weakened by improper foods (most especially carbohydrates) and needs a balance of macronutrients to support healthy function in the body.

Macronutrients are: Proteins, Carbohydrates and Essential Fats. Our micronutrients or vitamins and minerals are then extracted from our intake of macronutrients.

The objective is to supply yourself with one macronutrient in each meal and snack. Ideally, your choice in each category will be a form of food that is in its most whole state (i.e. an apple vs. applesauce or a prepared meal of chicken and veggies vs. a pre-processed package meal of the same).

How to Begin

1. Familiarize yourself with the macronutrient groups and learn which foods are a protein, carbohydrate or an essential fat.
2. Become aware of choosing foods that are whole.
3. Write down ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks; post them on your refrigerator.
4. Strategize how you can create fast and easy ways to prepare your meals.

List of Macronutrients
Proteins (4-6oz.)	Carbohydrates (1 piece or 1cup)	Essential Fats (1 tblsp.)
Salmon	1 slice sprouted grain bread	Olive Oil
Chicken	baked potato or 2 sm. red potatoes	Flax Seed Oil
Tuna	cup brown rice	Almonds
Fresh Turkey	cup squash	Macadamia Nuts
Fresh Fish	cup beans or oats	Avocado (1/4)
White cheese (1-2oz)	Fruit — 1 piece (eat bananas, papaya, and mango only on occasion)	Natural Peanut Butter
Eggs (2 whole eggs Or 3-4 egg whites)	Vegetables — 1 cup (eat _ cup corn and carrots only on occasion)	Olives (6-8)
Tofu	Salad/Lettuce — for the most part may be eaten in unlimited portions)
Red Meat on occasion hormone/antibiotic-free only

Things to Avoid:
alcohol	fruit juice	pasta
bacon	fried foods	popcorn
bagels	granola	potatoes
cream cheese	honey	puffed cereal
candy, cake, cookies	hot dogs	white flour
chocolate	ice cream	processed deli meats
croissants	margarine
dried fruit	pastries

Chinese Herbs
The Chinese pharmacopeia is quite broad with ancient, traditional formulas to support a wide range of health concerns. Herbal quality is of the utmost concern, thereby, we offer a line of standardized full-spectrum herbal extracts in granules or capsules that pass the most stringent quality control requirements. All herbs are tested for safety against heavy metals, harmful bacteria, and fungus; they are also guaranteed to not contain any drugs or pharmaceuticals. By utilizing the most sophisticated laboratory equipment and processes, fluctuation in herb potency is eliminated. Herbal therapy is a natural system of support without the side-effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs.

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