A Damp Spleen & the Raw Food Diet

This one was originally posted to me on July 10th, 2005 by MissLinda over at Alissa Cohen’s RawFoodTalk.com forum. Until she archives it, you may be able to find it here.

Cassy -I’ve been doing research online about the spleen and what role it plays in the digestive process as defined in TCM (traditional chinese medicine) b/c my accupuntiurist says it’s “damp” So my question is……when the intestinal health is weak or stagnant, does that make spleen weaker??? I can see where my practioner would say damp but I formulate that more as being a stunted spleen and became sluggish b/c of the intestines inability to absorb nutrienst that these organs need to funtion properly.
I ask b/c TCM says if your system is damp then raw foods should be avoided….I understand this from a personal and cultural sense b/c these theories I have been brought up in. I was alittle hesitant to ask b/c all those vital organs work hand and glove and to narrow my question to focus on spleen alone?????? I would love your insight. luv, ML

Hey there. I wish I had a greater understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM,) such that I would be better able to answer your question, as you posed it. I do know that TCM believes in the total interconnectedness of things within our system, and also they make a big connection between the spleen and the function of the stomach. In western tradition, the spleen is not seen as connected in this way. Western doctors explain that the spleen is used as a blood filter rather. So, although highly related to the liver, and our detoxification mechanism, the spleen is not something commonly discussed in my workplace. Therefore, let us discuss the stomach then, for a weak stomach is something I can comment on.

I agree with you when you mention the cultural bias agaist raw in certain instances, for I have seen that not only with TCM, but also with Ayurvedic tradition. This is not to say that I feel that either of those medical practices are totally “off the mark”, on the contrary, certain types of raw foods may be contraindicated, due to fiber, sugar, fats, etc if someone has a weakened system. But, at the same time, discussing raw foods in the context of TCM may lead to confusion, and you’ve asked this in the context of a raw diet, and on behalf of others following a raw diet, I feel that the best way to answer this question would be to discuss my own experience with weakened digestion in the context of Raw. (Not for ego’s sake, but simply because I have been down that road before.) SO here you go:

I too have been explained to have “low digestive fire” and weakened stomach function. A weakened stomach makes for a greater possibility of infection with parasites, as well as other nasties, since stomach acid is a first line of defence against invaders. Also, a weakened stomach makes for indigestion, bloating, etc, as food enters the digestive tract in too large of pieces, where it is fermented and consumed by pathogens, and can lead to gas and irritation. Ayurveda believes that this gas is what leads to disease. (Similar to the Western theory about leaky gut, where toxins travel throught the bloodstream, settle in tissues, and cause health issues.)

As someone who Western Tradition has labeled as IBS, nervous stomach, etc, this weakened stomach “diagnosis” was given to me by both a TCM, as well as an Ayurvedic doctor, someone I professionally respect and trust. He explained that according to his line of understanding, raw was a way of eating with which my constitution would have problems. In order to remedy this, he recommended the use of digestive enzymes, including HCl to boost my stomach’s acidity. They make it from beets, so you can get a vegan form of it. Probiotics to help me restablish my gut ecology were suggested. He also emphasised the importance of fermenting my raw foods, in order that my body would better assimilate them, due to my prexisting impaired digestion. He also suggested processing some foods, through light steaming, etc.

Now, what I have attempted to do is this: continue taking the HCl, as well as incorporating many fermented foods. I also do my best to pay VERY close attention to the foods I eat, and how they make me feel. Sweet fruits, and non fermented highly fiberous foods (like cabbage) seem to make my bloating and indigestion worse. I often write in my journal about this very thing. Therefore, but adjusting my raw diet, and simultaneously consuming plenty of probiotics and enzymes I have made RAW work.

I encourage you to work with your practitioner, and ask questions of he/she, and your own body until you feel satisfied that you have found a path that works. I have read that some will often juice, rather than consuming the fiber, and that helps with some foods. If it helps, the foods that increase HCl production are proteins, so you might want to explore that. Berries, high in elagic acid tend to neutralize the acid, as do COLD FROZEN foods. In the course of my “learning” I realized that eating bowl after bowl of half frozen berries was one of my huge culprits. I hope I have answered your question. Again, I wish I had a greater understanding of TCM. Cassy