How Can a Balanced Diet Keep Your Skin Healthy

In the West, a balanced diet is one that supplies all the nutrients we need to stay healthy. But in Eastern countries the interpretation of balance is quite different.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine foods are clas­sified in terms of their influence on the body's energies or chi. The right combination of foods preserves a sense of wellbeing by keeping the chi energy in balance.

According to Chinese medical thinking, the body's life force or chi energy flows along channels called meridians. When the energy becomes blocked or stagnates, it gives rise to various emotional and health problems which are reflected in the skin. For instance, from the Chinese medical viewpoint spots and skin blemishes may be due to an energy blockage in the liver and gall bladder meridian. A corrective diet uses foods that restore the flow of energy in this particular meridian and so clear the com­plexion.

It is a good idea to eat a spectrum of coloured foods relating to the five Chinese elements as they will help to balance the key meridians.

In Chinese philosophy everything in life includ­ing ourselves and the food we eat is described in terms of two opposing principles - Yin and Yang. Yin = female, dark, cold, negative, passive, earth,- Yang = male, light, hot, strong, positive, active, sun.

Keeping these two energy forces in balance is thought to hold the key to inner harmony and a sense of all-pervading equilibrium. Skin that is flushed and high-coloured suggests an excess of Yang energy which can be countered by empha­sising cooling Yin foods. On the other hand, when skin is pale and washed out it may benefit from a zing of fiery Yang energy.

A well-balanced diet is rich in flavor, too. Variety not only satisfies all the taste buds,- in Chinese philosophy different flavours also hone in on the various meridians and help to rebalance their chi energy. During the day aim to eat foods of all flavors to preserve a sense of balance.