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Organ Health

An Integrative Perspective

Understanding organ health from an integrative perspective involves looking at how organs function both individually and collectively.

How Healthy Organs Normally Function

1. Heart

  • Western Perspective: The heart pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing carbon dioxide and waste products.
  • TCM Perspective: The heart governs the blood and controls the vessels. It is also the “house of the mind” (Shen), influencing mental and emotional states.

2. Lungs

  • Western Perspective: The lungs are responsible for gas exchange, bringing oxygen into the body and expelling carbon dioxide.
  • TCM Perspective: The lungs govern Qi (energy) and respiration, control the skin and body hair, and regulate water passages.

3. Liver

  • Western Perspective: The liver processes nutrients from food, detoxifies chemicals, and produces bile to aid digestion.
  • TCM Perspective: The liver stores blood, ensures the smooth flow of Qi, and regulates emotions.

4. Kidneys

  • Western Perspective: The kidneys filter blood to remove waste products and excess fluids, regulate electrolyte balance, and produce hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production.
  • TCM Perspective: The kidneys store essence (Jing), govern growth and reproduction, and control water metabolism.

5. Spleen

  • Western Perspective: The spleen filters blood, recycles old red blood cells, and helps fight infection.
  • TCM Perspective: The spleen governs transformation and transportation of nutrients, controls blood, and influences muscles and limbs.

6. Stomach

  • Western Perspective: The stomach breaks down food with digestive enzymes and acids to prepare it for absorption in the intestines.
  • TCM Perspective: The stomach is responsible for the initial stages of digestion and the transformation of food into nutrients.

How Organs Work Together

1. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems (Heart and Lungs)

  • Western Perspective: The heart and lungs work closely to deliver oxygen to the body and remove carbon dioxide. The heart pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs to the body and returns deoxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange.
  • TCM Perspective: The heart and lungs work together to govern Qi and blood. The lungs distribute Qi through respiration, and the heart ensures it is carried throughout the body via the blood.

2. Digestive System (Liver, Spleen, Stomach, and Intestines)

  • Western Perspective: The liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines work together to digest food, absorb nutrients, and expel waste. The liver processes nutrients, the stomach breaks down food, the spleen helps in immune response, and the intestines absorb nutrients.
  • TCM Perspective: The spleen and stomach are known as the “middle burner” and are central to digestion and nutrient absorption. The liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi, aiding the spleen and stomach in their functions.

3. Urinary and Reproductive Systems (Kidneys and Bladder)

  • Western Perspective: The kidneys filter blood to form urine, which is stored in the bladder until excretion. The kidneys also regulate electrolytes and produce hormones for blood pressure and red blood cell production.
  • TCM Perspective: The kidneys store essence and govern growth, reproduction, and water metabolism. They work with the bladder to control the body’s fluids.

Organ Pairs in Chinese Medical Theory and Their Similarities to Western Science

1. Heart and Small Intestine

  • TCM Pairing: The heart is paired with the small intestine. The heart governs blood and the small intestine separates clear from turbid.
  • Western Correlation: The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood, which supports the small intestine’s role in nutrient absorption and distribution.

2. Lungs and Large Intestine

  • TCM Pairing: The lungs are paired with the large intestine. The lungs govern Qi and respiration, while the large intestine handles waste elimination.
  • Western Correlation: The lungs provide oxygen, which is necessary for cellular metabolism, and the large intestine removes waste, a byproduct of metabolism.

3. Liver and Gallbladder

  • TCM Pairing: The liver is paired with the gallbladder. The liver stores blood and ensures smooth Qi flow, while the gallbladder stores and secretes bile.
  • Western Correlation: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the digestive tract to aid in fat digestion.

4. Spleen and Stomach

  • TCM Pairing: The spleen is paired with the stomach. The spleen governs transformation and transportation, and the stomach handles food intake and digestion.
  • Western Correlation: The spleen supports immune function and the stomach initiates digestion, both essential for nutrient assimilation.

5. Kidneys and Bladder

  • TCM Pairing: The kidneys are paired with the bladder. The kidneys store essence and govern water, and the bladder stores and excretes urine.
  • Western Correlation: The kidneys filter blood to produce urine, which is stored in the bladder until elimination.

Improving Organ Health

Understanding organ health from both Western and TCM perspectives offers a comprehensive view of how our bodies function. Healthy organs work in harmony, supporting each other to maintain overall health and balance. The integrative approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of bodily systems, emphasizing prevention, balance, and holistic well-being.

Differential Diagnosis

When paired organs are out of sync, it becomes difficult to diagnose through Western medical frameworks because organ dysfunction is considered isolated. In time, Western science will better understand that dysautonomia is more of a global problem than local. An integrated perspective is difficult for Western trained minds because Eastern medicine was simplified and refined in a way that is too elegant. An example is the Eastern statement that the heart houses the mind. It is easy for Western providers to dismiss this because Eastern medicine evolved for thousands of years and still includes much theory that the West has not yet figured out.

Recent scientific research has begun to reveal the complex interplay between the heart and the brain, suggesting that the heart plays a significant role in cognitive processes and emotional regulation. This connection is now referred to as the “heart-brain axis.” Here are some key points from recent scientific explanations:

The Heart-Brain Connection

1. Neurocardiology

  • Heart’s Nervous System: The heart has its own intrinsic nervous system, sometimes called the “heart brain” or the cardiac nervous system. This consists of an intricate network of neurons, neurotransmitters, proteins, and support cells, much like those in the brain.
  • Communication Pathways: The heart communicates with the brain through several pathways, including the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic branches), hormonal pathways, and through pressure and stretch-sensitive receptors in the heart and blood vessels.

2. Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

  • Indicator of Health: HRV, the variation in time between consecutive heartbeats, is a key indicator of autonomic nervous system function. High HRV is associated with greater adaptability and resilience, while low HRV is linked to stress, fatigue, and poor health outcomes.
  • Cognitive and Emotional States: HRV is influenced by emotional and cognitive states. Positive emotions like love, gratitude, and compassion can enhance HRV, whereas stress and negative emotions can reduce it. HRV is also associated with cognitive functions such as attention, decision-making, and executive function.

3. The Vagus Nerve

  • Vagal Tone: The vagus nerve, a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system, innervates the heart. High vagal tone is associated with better emotional regulation, social connection, and cognitive performance.
  • Bi-directional Communication: The vagus nerve facilitates bi-directional communication between the heart and the brain, influencing heart rate, digestion, and inflammation, and playing a role in the brain’s ability to process and regulate emotions.

Hormonal and Biochemical Signals

1. Oxytocin

  • The “Love Hormone”: Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is produced in the brain but also in the heart. It promotes bonding, reduces stress, and has cardioprotective effects. Oxytocin release can be stimulated by positive social interactions and physical touch.

2. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

  • Regulation of Stress: The heart produces ANP, a hormone that reduces blood pressure and controls electrolyte homeostasis. ANP also has direct effects on the brain, including reducing stress and anxiety levels.

Psychological and Emotional Aspects

1. Embodied Cognition

  • Mind-Body Interactions: Embodied cognition theories suggest that cognitive processes are deeply rooted in the body’s interactions with the world. The heart, as a central organ, influences emotional and cognitive states through its physiological status and communication with the brain.

2. Emotional Experiences

  • Heartfelt Emotions: Emotional experiences are often felt in the heart (e.g., heartbreak, joy). These emotions are not only processed by the brain but also by the heart, which sends signals back to the brain that can influence emotional regulation and perception.

Research Studies and Findings

1. HeartMath Institute

  • Coherence Training: The HeartMath Institute has conducted research showing that techniques aimed at increasing heart-brain coherence (a harmonious state where the heart, mind, and emotions are aligned) can improve emotional regulation, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
  • Biofeedback: Biofeedback techniques that focus on HRV can help individuals learn to regulate their physiological responses to stress, enhancing mental clarity and emotional stability.

2. Neuroscientific Studies

  • Functional MRI (fMRI) Studies: Brain imaging studies have shown that cardiac activity influences brain function. For example, heartbeats can synchronize with brain waves, particularly in regions involved in emotion and memory, such as the amygdala and hippocampus.
  • Cognitive Load: Studies have demonstrated that cognitive load (the mental effort required to process information) can influence heart rate and HRV, highlighting the bidirectional relationship between cognitive function and cardiac activity.

Heart Houses the Mind = Heart-Brain Axis

Recent scientific explanations underscore the intricate relationship between the heart and the brain, revealing that the heart is not merely a pump but an active participant in cognitive and emotional processes. This emerging field of research highlights the importance of considering the heart-brain connection in understanding overall health and developing holistic approaches to wellbeing.

Let’s take it a step further and look at POTS as an example of what is missing in Western medical understanding.

Understanding POTS: A Western and Chinese Medicine Perspective

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing. It is part of a group of disorders known as dysautonomia, which involve the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Below is an exploration of POTS from both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspectives.

Western Perspective

1. Heart Rate Imbalance

In POTS, when a person stands up, the blood vessels do not constrict properly to counteract gravity. This causes blood to pool in the lower part of the body, leading to a decrease in blood flow to the heart and brain. The heart compensates by pumping faster (tachycardia) to maintain adequate blood flow.

2. Role of the Heart

  • Left Heart: The left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to the body. In POTS, the increased heart rate can strain the left ventricle, potentially leading to symptoms like lightheadedness and palpitations.
  • Right Heart: The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. If the right side is not pumping efficiently due to imbalanced autonomic signals, it can exacerbate symptoms by affecting overall circulation.

3. Role of the Kidneys

  • The kidneys help regulate blood pressure and blood volume through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In POTS, this system can be dysregulated, leading to improper blood pressure control, contributing to the symptoms.

4. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

  • Sympathetic Nervous System: Responsible for the “fight or flight” response. In POTS, there is often an overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate and blood vessel constriction.
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Responsible for “rest and digest” activities. In POTS, the parasympathetic nervous system may not adequately counterbalance the sympathetic overactivity, contributing to the heart rate imbalance and other symptoms.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

1. Heart and Kidney Not Communicating

In Chinese medicine, POTS can be seen as a condition where the heart and kidneys are not communicating properly. This is known as the “Heart and Kidney Disharmony” or “Heart-Kidney Not Communicating.”

2. Role of the Heart

  • Function: The heart governs blood and controls the vessels through the mechanisms of pumping blood through the body.  Also, the heart houses the mind.
  • Disharmony: When the heart is not functioning properly , it can lead to symptoms like palpitations, anxiety, and insomnia.

3. Role of the Kidneys

  • Function: The kidneys governs water metabolism along with regulating pressure and volume. They also play a role in regulating the autonomic nervous system.
  • Disharmony: When the kidneys are not regulated or weak, they cannot properly regulate fluid pressure and volume leading to symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and poor temperature regulation.

4. Heart-Kidney Communication

  • In TCM, the heart (fire) and kidneys (water) need to be in harmony. The heart Yang should warm and energize the kidney Yin, while the kidney Yin should cool and nourish the heart Yang.
  • Imbalance: If the heart Yang is overactive (similar to sympathetic overactivity), it can cause the heart to pump excessively. If the kidney Yin is deficient, it cannot anchor the heart Yang, leading to symptoms of overactivity and imbalance, such as those seen in POTS.

Comparison and Contrast

Sympathetic and Parasympathetic vs. Yin and Yang

  • Sympathetic (Yang): In both Western and TCM, excessive sympathetic activity corresponds to excessive Yang. This leads to symptoms like tachycardia and anxiety.
  • Parasympathetic (Yin): Adequate parasympathetic activity corresponds to sufficient Yin, promoting calm and stability. A lack of parasympathetic activity (Yin deficiency) fails to counterbalance the Yang, leading to imbalance.

Heart and Kidney Relationship

  • Western Science: Focuses on physical and chemical interactions, such as the RAAS system and blood pressure regulation.
  • Eastern Science: Emphasizes the energetic and functional harmony between organs. The heart and kidneys must communicate for balanced physiological and psychological function.

Therapeutic Approaches

  • Western Treatments: May include medications to control heart rate and blood pressure, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms.
  • Eastern Treatments: May include herb formula to harmonize the two organs to treat both the symptoms and fix the underlying issues by regulating and strengthen heart and kidney function and interconnected relationship.

Understanding POTS through both Western and TCM perspectives provides a comprehensive view of the condition. Western medicine offers insights into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms, while TCM provides a holistic framework for understanding the energetic and functional relationships between organs. Integrative approaches can offer more effective and personalized treatment options for individuals suffering from POTS.