Why I Do Not Recommend Intestinal Care

"This article is based on personal opinions derived from knowledge of Oriental medicine.

If you are concerned about the potential drawbacks of intestinal care, please consider consulting a doctor."

First and foremost, I want to clarify that keeping the intestines clean and maintaining a healthy intestinal environment is undoubtedly beneficial for the body. Since serotonin is produced in the intestines, it has a positive impact on mental health as well. It is safe to say that it benefits both the mind and body. I do not deny that the intestines and the brain are connected. (However, since other organs are also connected to the brain, I think it is a bit odd that only the intestines are getting all the attention.)

Taking care of your intestines is definitely a good thing. However, when it comes to "intestinal care," it becomes a "thinking that emphasizes the intestines."

In Oriental medicine, the large intestine corresponds to the lungs, and the small intestine corresponds to the heart. In the Five Elements theory, there are relationships of mutual generation and control, where adjacent elements nurture each other, but the elements in a star-shaped relationship suppress or attack each other if one becomes too strong. The large intestine, small intestine, lungs, and heart—what happens when you emphasize these?

The liver is represented by wood, the heart by fire, the spleen by earth, the lungs by metal, and the kidneys by water. According to the relationships in the Five Elements theory, if you overemphasize the large intestine, which is metal, you will harm the liver. The liver is the organ that works to detoxify the body. Additionally, Japanese people are considered to have relatively weak livers, and women are thought to have weaker livers than men.

What happens if you overemphasize the small intestine? In the Five Elements theory, the small intestine is included in the heart (fire), so paradoxically, you end up harming the lungs, which means the large intestine.

Even if you learn that the functions of the large intestine and small intestine are different, and choose appropriate foods accordingly...

Here are 22 recommended foods for intestinal care (with their beneficial organs listed):

• Natto: Spleen
• Kimchi: Lungs
• Kiwi: Kidneys
• Mushrooms: Spleen
• Yogurt:
  • (There is a theory that eating yogurt makes it easier to pass stools because it does not agree with your body. The intestines rush to expel it as stool because it is an unwelcome stimulus. Thus, yogurt that makes you pass stools might not be something that suits your body but rather something that does not.)
• Apple: Spleen, Heart
• Brown rice: Spleen
• Soy milk: Lungs
• Olive oil: Lungs
• Garlic: Spleen, Lungs
• Onion: Spleen, Lungs, Heart
• Cheese: Lungs, Liver, Spleen
• Beans: Mostly Spleen
• Burdock root: Lungs
• Barley: Spleen
• Hijiki: Kidneys
• Asparagus: Lungs, Heart, Liver, Kidneys
• Green onion: Lungs, Stomach
• Banana: Stomach
• Coffee: Heart
• Avocado: Liver
• Oligosaccharides: Spleen

Lungs: 9, Heart: 4, Spleen: 10, Kidneys: 3, Liver: 3. As you can see, many of these foods are beneficial for the lungs and heart.

In intestinal care, foods that benefit the intestines are recommended. Since the large intestine is connected to the lungs, this is accurate. However, if the lungs (large intestine) become too active, it will weaken the liver. It is understandable that more women have experienced health issues due to intestinal care.

There is a story of a pregnant woman who experienced sudden breathing difficulties and panic disorder due to continuous intestinal care. She was practicing a diet where she avoided meat and switched to fish, which is good for the body, but overdoing it led to anemia, resulting in panic disorder.

Another case involved a pregnant woman who continuously ate brown rice for its health benefits, believing it would also be good for her baby. However, during childbirth, both the mother and newborn were found to be anemic and required immediate blood transfusions. This is a harsh situation right after birth.

Breathing difficulties can also be explained by the fact that overactive heart (small intestine) can harm the lungs (large intestine). The heart requires drainage, but the lungs love moisture. Without enough moisture, breathing becomes difficult, especially in the dry season of autumn.

To ensure nutrients pass smoothly from the large intestine to the small intestine without causing harm, they need to go through the spleen. Additionally, the liver, which provides nutrients to the small intestine (heart), is nurtured by the kidneys.

Instead of focusing solely on the intestines (intestinal care), it is essential to consider the entire body, including the Five Elements. Focusing only on one part can cause imbalances elsewhere.

While taking care of your intestines is highly recommended, focusing exclusively on intestinal care might not be the best approach.

This is my personal opinion based on knowledge of Oriental medicine. I hope you find it helpful.

Let me reiterate that maintaining a healthy intestinal environment is important. Serotonin production is beneficial for mental health, and good digestion is a fundamental aspect of overall health. It is crucial to eliminate unnecessary substances from the body to feel lighter.

However, balance is key. It’s about considering the health of your entire body rather than focusing solely on the intestines. Take care of your liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and heart, and include intestinal care as part of that overall health approach. Intestinal care is just one aspect of maintaining health; it is not a cure-all. Likewise, a healthy diet alone cannot guarantee good health.

But if you take care of your entire body, it will respond positively. Make sure to eat a balanced diet and take good care of your body.