The Emperor of Organs

One of the fastest rising conditions in the western world is hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid. 

Some reports estimate between 15 to 30 percent of the population have thyroid problems, likely attributable to low levels of iodine. 

The most common symptoms experienced are lethargy, depression and weight gain. 

Western Medicine has shown little interest in healing the root cause of a disease, only targeting the symptoms, The spleen was, until recently, considered by Western Medicine to be “a redundant organ”.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), on the other hand, considers the spleen to be “The Emperor of Organs”, the principal organ of digestion. In turn the spleen is closely related to the thyroid at the tissue and physiological levels.

The spleen doesn’t physically process food in the same way the stomach and intestines do, yet the strength or weakness of the spleen determines how much nutrition is assimilated from a meal.  

Essentially this means that if you have a weak or in TCM speak, a ’damp’ spleen, you’ll likely derive little nutritional benefit from any foods you eat.

Being so closely associated with digestion, the spleen naturally plays an integral part in maintaining weight. This is rarely if ever mentioned in the weight loss world. Somewhat ironically the continued success of the western weight loss industry is largely based on failure.  

If you actually lost weight and kept it off there would be no incentive to buy the next new product on the market, or the one after that, or the many diet books brought out just in time for Christmas every year.

Healthy spleen = functioning thyroid = stronger metabolism = better weight management

Metabolism is a series of chemical reactions that take place within your body allowing the nutrients from food to be broken down and turned into energy.

When supported by a healthy spleen, your thyroid flourishes and your body responds positively. Get a copy of Daverick Leggett’s refreshing book “Helping Ourselves: A Guide to Traditional Chinese Food Energetics”.  He explains the important function of the spleen better than anyone else and identifies which foods are best to improve its performance.  

The simplest approach to supporting the spleen and thyroid:

Iodine – the absence of iodine in food is an underlying cause of thyroid issues leading to a pathological state of thyroid malfunction. Iodine is a key component in the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism, energy levels, and overall body function. Without sufficient iodine, our thyroid gland can’t function optimally, potentially leading to a range of health issues, including fatigue, weight gain, and cognitive impairment.

Iodine also plays a crucial role in supporting immune function, cognitive development, and reproductive health. Thanks to factors like dietary choices and environmental pollutants, many of us fall short of meeting our daily iodine needs.

Always opt for quality iodine from a reputable source. (add the code RFL to your checkout for 20% off).

Celtic Sea Salts – a precise amount of minerals and trace elements to prevent thyroid malfunction can be found in the Celtic Sea Salts.

Graeme Dinnen

ResourcesForLife.net