Is Squatting a Sign of Blood Deficiency? The Truth You Need to Know!

Is Squatting a Sign of Blood Deficiency? The Truth You Need to Know!It's often said that people who find squatting comfortable have blood deficiency. But is this really true? Wu Guolin, the director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, points out that while people who love to squat might not necessarily have blood deficiency, those who do often find squatting a source of comfort

Is Squatting a Sign of Blood Deficiency? The Truth You Need to Know!

It's often said that people who find squatting comfortable have blood deficiency. But is this really true? Wu Guolin, the director of the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, points out that while people who love to squat might not necessarily have blood deficiency, those who do often find squatting a source of comfort.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) defines "blood deficiency" as a lack of both "qi" (vital energy) and "blood." The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine states, "When qi and blood are out of harmony, a hundred diseases arise," and "When qi and blood are full, a hundred diseases do not arise." All life activities in the body depend on qi and blood, and when they are depleted, symptoms like forgetfulness, palpitations, pale complexion, rough skin, dry hair, and fatigue may occur.

People with blood deficiency often feel tired. When they squat, the muscles in their legs and buttocks are maximally compressed, allowing blood to flow back to the heart more rapidly. This improves blood circulation and relieves fatigue. Thus, people with blood deficiency may squat frequently for comfort. However, it's important to note that while this might be the case, not everyone who enjoys squatting has blood deficiency.

8 Bad Habits That Can Deplete Blood

Maintaining sufficient blood is all about "balancing the inflow and outflow." "Controlling the outflow" is more crucial than "increasing the inflow," so it's crucial to avoid behaviors that can deplete blood. This is particularly important in summer, when increased perspiration leads to greater blood loss.

1. Excessive Cold and Overeating: Long-term consumption of raw, cold, and chilled foods can damage the "spleen yang" (a vital energy source), hindering digestion and absorption, and impeding the production of qi and blood. Overeating also burdens the stomach and intestines, damaging the spleen. A weakened spleen can lead to blood deficiency.

2. Excessive Vegetarianism: While controlling overall dietary intake is important, you must ensure a balanced intake of various nutrients. Relying solely on vegetables is not sufficient.

3. Insufficient Chewing: Swallowing food without proper chewing significantly burdens the stomach and intestines, requiring more energy to digest. This ultimately depletes qi and blood.

4. Excessive Labor: Overworking depletes the body's vital energy. Excessive mental stress disrupts the spleen's function, which in TCM is considered the source of qi and blood production. A weakened spleen leads to inadequate blood production. Worry and anxiety also consume a large amount of blood. To safeguard blood, avoid excessive stress.

5. Excessive Smartphone Use: TCM states that prolonged staring strains the blood. Excessively using your eyes strains the liver, which nourishes the blood. So, constantly using your phone is a "trigger" for both qi and blood deficiency, depleting more than just battery power.

6. Wet Hair Before Bed: TCM emphasizes that "the head is the meeting point of all yang energy." Going to bed with wet hair allows dampness to invade the body, injuring yang energy and potentially leading to blood deficiency.

7. Late Nights and Sleep Deprivation: Nighttime is the time for replenishing qi and blood. Sleep deprivation inevitably consumes blood. Ensuring adequate sleep means both getting enough hours and going to bed early. Aim for 8 hours of sleep per night, ideally before 11 PM.

8. Prolonged Sitting and Lying Down: TCM teaches that "prolonged lying down injures qi." If you sit or lie down for extended periods, qi cannot circulate properly, leading to stagnation and qi deficiency. While lying down may feel like rest, it actually depletes blood, resulting in the feeling of "being weak after lying down for a long time."

A Treasure Trove of Blood Replenishing Tips!

"Blood deficiency gives rise to a hundred diseases" is a TCM principle that highlights the importance of adequate blood levels. In addition to avoiding blood-depleting habits, you can supplement your blood through diet.

Five Foods For Qi Replenishment

1. Garlic Chives: Xi Xiao-hu, a pharmacist at Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explains that garlic chives nourish kidney qi and boost energy. Cooked garlic chives can tonify the liver and kidneys, warm the lower back and knees, and invigorate yang energy. Raw garlic chives are pungent and promote blood circulation; cooked, they become sweet and tonify the middle burner, invigorating the liver and dispersing stagnation. They are known for their qi-tonifying and yang-invigorating properties.

2. Yam: The Compendium of Materia Medica states: "Yam benefits kidney qi, strengthens the spleen and stomach, stops diarrhea and dysentery, transforms phlegm, and nourishes the skin." Yam tonifies the lungs, spleen, and kidneys, making it suitable for various body constitutions. Its rich nutrients and easy digestibility make it a long-term food for those with chronic illness, post-illness weakness, emaciation, spleen deficiency, and those needing nutritional supplementation.

3. Potato: From a TCM perspective, potatoes are highly beneficial for qi replenishment. They possess the properties to tonify the middle burner (spleen and stomach), nourish qi, harmonize the stomach, regulate the middle burner (digestive system), strengthen the spleen, and reduce swelling. These benefits make them particularly effective for people with qi deficiency. Regular consumption promotes overall well-being.

4. Shiitake Mushrooms: The Compendium of Materia Medica mentions: "Mushrooms benefit the stomach and intestines, transform phlegm, and regulate qi." The True Guide to Materia Medica notes: "Shiitake mushrooms are a culinary treasure... they enhance appetite and aid digestion." TCM considers shiitake mushrooms to tonify the liver and kidneys and nourish qi and blood. Consuming them regularly supports blood replenishment.

5. Chestnuts: Chestnuts possess the properties to strengthen the spleen and nourish qi, tonify the kidneys and strengthen muscles, and slow down aging. Their content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber helps reduce the risk of hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease. Chestnuts are exceptionally rich in calcium, making them an excellent source for bone health and osteoporosis prevention. They also effectively alleviate pain caused by lumbar muscle strain and lumbar vertebral diseases.

Five Foods For Blood Replenishment

1. Red Meat: Chen Jianfang, deputy director of the Hematology Department at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, explains that red meat, including pork, beef, and lamb, is rich in heme iron, which is readily absorbed by the body. For example, beef contains 3.3mg of iron per 100g. Note that daily intake should not exceed 75g for adults.

2. Animal Blood: Similar to meat, animal blood is also rich in heme iron. Pig blood contains 8.7mg of iron per 100g, and its iron is highly absorbable and utilized by the body, making it a superior blood-building food. Animal blood should be thoroughly cooked before consumption and never eaten raw.

3. Animal Liver: Especially pig liver, contains even higher iron content compared to meat and animal blood, with 22.6mg of iron per 100g. Not only is animal liver high in iron, but its absorption rate is over 30%, making it suitable for both the elderly and infants during their complementary food stages. However, pregnant women should limit their intake.

4. Longan Fruit: Wang Genrong, chief physician of the Rheumatism Department at Shaoxing City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Zhejiang Province, explains that longan fruit, also known as "guoyuan," has the properties to nourish the heart, calm the mind, and tonify yin and blood. It is particularly suitable for women who are weak and prone to illness, have palpitations and insomnia, and have a pale complexion.

5. Fresh Vegetables and Fruits: Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C and folic acid. Vitamin C aids in the conversion and utilization of heme iron, while folic acid prevents pernicious anemia and promotes hemoglobin synthesis. Ensure a daily intake of fresh, safe, and colorful vegetables and fruits to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

In Conclusion:

While frequent squatting does not necessarily indicate blood deficiency, individuals with blood deficiency often feel tired and seek comfort in squatting positions. Maintaining adequate blood levels requires avoiding blood-depleting habits and supplementing through blood-building foods. This approach promotes overall health and well-being.