Causes and metabolic mechanisms of liver-heat type obesity: Unveiling the liver secrets behind a body type that is prone to weight gain and difficult to lose weight.
Why is this world so unfair? Some people have huge appetites, eating everything imaginable-high-fat, high-sugar, fried, fatty foods, desserts, sweet soups-they eat it all, yet remain skin and bones, never gaining weight. But others are the complete opposite. Even if they strictly control their diet, consuming very little oily, sugary, high-fat, sweet, or greasy food, and in relatively small portions, they still easily gain weight. Even with the same amount of food, they won't gain weight, but you'll immediately experience a surge in fat production. Because of this, you often feel anxious, fearing you'll be even fatter tomorrow.
Another frustrating thing is that these people tend to gain weight easily and find it difficult to lose it. Eating even a little high-fat, fatty food will immediately show a spike on the scale the next day. But even after a few days of abstaining, their weight is hard to lose, and it's extremely difficult to even slightly reduce their weight. It's truly a case of "if nature wants you to be fat, you can't help it." Why is it that some people can eat a lot and even binge eat without gaining weight, while others are particularly prone to weight gain? Actually, this is related to fat metabolism.
Fat metabolism comprises two parts: lipolysis and liposynthesis. Liposynthesis refers to the body's function of synthesizing fat; that is, when a person has excess calories, the body converts them into fat for storage. Lipolysis, on the other hand, refers to the body's function of breaking down stored fat. When the body has insufficient glucose or needs to consume a large amount of calories, it can convert stored fat into energy for its use. If the body's liposynthesis is overactive, it will be easy to gain weight and difficult to lose weight.
There are three main sources of energy: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Completely digested carbohydrates are absorbed by the small intestine as glucose and then transported to the liver to provide energy. Excess sugar can be stored as glycogen or muscle glycogen. It can also be converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue. Proteins are broken down into amino acids, transported to the liver, and then used by the body's tissues and cells. When the body lacks carbohydrates, protein can also be converted into energy by the liver. After being broken down and absorbed, fats are transported to the liver and synthesized into body fat for use, providing energy. Excess fat is stored in the body's adipose tissue.
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats all provide energy. When there is excess energy, it can be converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue. These three types of nutrients share a common characteristic: they all require the liver to utilize them, either as energy or converted into fat. Therefore, the activity level of fat synthesis metabolism is closely related to the liver. The more active the liver's anabolism, the easier it is for the body to synthesize fat, and the easier it is to gain weight.
Without a healthy liver, it's difficult to handle the high energy expenditure. However, if the liver is overactive, its fat synthesis and metabolism will be hyperactive. Therefore, even a small amount of fatty foods or sweets can easily lead to weight gain; or, while others may not gain weight after eating the same amount of food, you may easily gain muscle. Moreover, gaining weight is easy, but losing it is difficult. This hyperactive fat synthesis and metabolism falls under the category of "liver heat" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In addition to minimizing the intake of high-fat, greasy, and high-sugar foods, one should eat more foods that soothe liver heat, clear heat, and nourish the body.
Obesity due to liver heat and corresponding decoction formula:
(1) Prunella vulgaris, Chrysanthemum, and Cassia Seed Soup. Serves: 2. Ingredients: 5 qian of Prunella vulgaris, 5 qian of Chrysanthemum, 3 qian of Cassia seed, 5 qian of Artemisia capillaris, and a small amount of rock sugar. Preparation: Boil in 6 bowls of water for half an hour, then add rock sugar and dissolve. Efficacy: Clears the liver and improves eyesight, lowers lipids and removes dampness.
Prunella vulgaris is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine for clearing liver heat. It has a pungent and bitter taste and is cold in nature. Besides clearing heat and calming the liver, it also improves eyesight. It can also be used for scrofula, phlegm-heat nodules, hepatitis, and hypertension. Modern research indicates that Prunella vulgaris has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and hypoglycemic effects, and can be used for lymph node tuberculosis, thyroid tumors, and lymphoma.
Chrysanthemum has a sweet and bitter taste, and is slightly cold in nature. It possesses properties that dispel wind and clear heat, detoxify, clear the liver, and improve eyesight. It is commonly used for colds, fever, red and swollen eyes, liver heat, liver yang hyperactivity, sores and swelling, headaches, and high blood pressure. Modern research indicates that chrysanthemum can relieve stress and also has lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects.
Cassia seed is a popular ingredient in weight loss products, and many people consume them. Cassia seed has a sweet, bitter, and salty taste, and is considered cooling in nature. It is believed to have liver-cleansing and vision-improving effects. Furthermore, it is said to promote bowel movements. Its widespread use in weight loss is attributed to its dual effects of relieving constipation and lowering cholesterol.
Artemisia capillaris has a bitter taste and neutral properties. It has the effects of clearing heat and dampness, promoting bile secretion, and reducing jaundice. It can be used for diseases such as damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, hepatitis, and hypertension. Artemisia capillaris contains artemisinin, which can promote fat metabolism and prevent and treat hyperlipidemia, high cholesterol, obesity, and arteriosclerosis. In addition, Artemisia capillaris also has a jaundice-reducing effect. If you don't want a sallow complexion and want to lose weight, you might want to eat more Artemisia capillaris.