Prevent and Treat The 3-Highs With TCM | High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes

WE COMBINE THE WISDOM OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE, MODERN TECHNOLOGY, AND PATIENT-CENTERED CARE FOR YOU TO THRIVE IN TODAY’S FAST-PACED WORLD. Share In Mandarin, the 3-Highs, otherwise known as San Gao (三高), is an umbrella term that refers to 3 commonly seen metabolic disorders known as Hypertension – high blood pressure (HBP) (高血压), Hyperlipidemia – high triglycerides (HTG) (高脂血症) and Hyperglycemia – high blood glucose (HBG) (高血糖血症). The 3-Highs are technically not TCM terms but rather the Mandarin translation for a group of 3 metabolic conditions commonly described in western medicine. Constantly elevated blood glucose that is not well-controlled can eventually lead to diabetes, which brings a host of complications that can lead to kidney problems, eye diseases, foot damage and numbness. Uncontrolled blood pressure is a risk factor for stroke and ischemic heart disease [1][2], while high triglycerides (colloquially known as high cholesterol) in the blood can cause hardening of the arteries which similarly leads to increased risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease [3]. So now that we know what are 3-Highs and their effects, let’s understand the common causes of these common conditions: 3 Highs Common Causes Other Causes Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Stress Lack of physical activity Family history of the disorder Obesity/being overweight Diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol Genetics Aging Certain medicine e.g. birth control pills Smoking or drinking too much alcohol Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose) Illnesses, such as colds Overeating/Over snacking between meals Certain medicines, such as steroids Hyperlipidemia (High Triglycerides) Smoking Drinking too much alcohol Eating foods high in saturated fats/trans fats In TCM, the 3-Highs are seen as symptoms and expressions of a disease or Syndrome. For instance, an individual with Liver-Fire uprising Syndrome would often present with hypertension; high blood glucose is often seen in people who have Xiao Ke Bing; high triglycerides are commonly found in individuals who fit into the Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome. Of course, these are generalisations and one should avoid self-diagnosis in the absence of a trained TCM physician. In TCM, the 3-Highs are seen as symptoms and expressions of a disease or Syndrome. For instance, an individual with Liver-Fire uprising Syndrome would often present with hypertension; high blood glucose is often seen in people who have Xiao Ke Bing; high triglycerides are commonly found in individuals who fit into the Phlegm-Dampness Syndrome. Of course, these are generalisations and one should avoid self-diagnosis in the absence of a trained TCM physician. Using TCM herbs to prevent and manage the 3-Highs 1) Home remedies – TCM herbal tea a. Chrysanthemum for hypertension Ingredients: Chrysanthemum (3-5g per person) Directions: See notes below Effects: Dispel Wind and Heat, calm the Liver and improve eyesight, clear away Heat and detoxify body. Modern medical research has shown that chrysanthemum has anti-inflammatory properties, is able to dilate coronary arteries and increase coronary blood flow thereby lowering blood pressure[4]. For a blood pressure-lowering tea, this herb is often paired with Chinese Senna (Jue Ming Zi 决明子）and Prunella vulgaris (Xia Ku Cao 夏枯草). b. Mulberry leaves for hyperglycemia Ingredients: Mulberry Leaves (5-10g per person) Directions: See notes below Effects: Evacuate Wind and Heat, relieve the Exterior and clear away Heat, nourish Yin and promote fluid production. Modern medical research mentioned that mulberry leaf extracts have blood sugar-lowering effects[5]. Mulberry leaf is usually added to Cinnamon bark (Rou Gui 肉桂）and Solomonseal Rhizome (Huang Jing 黄精）for a savoury drink that has blood sugar controlling effects. c. Hawthorn fruit for hyperlipidemia Ingredients: Hawthorn Fruit (5-10g per person) Directions: See notes below Effects: To dissipate stagnation, promote Blood circulation and disperse Blood stasis, resolve Phlegm and move Qi. Modern medical research has suggested that hawthorn fruit extract has a significant benefit in symptom control and physiologic outcomes in the treatment of chronic heart failure[6]. Additionally, it has the ability to help decrease levels of triglycerides[7]. Hawthorn fruit can be combined with Notoginseng flower (San Qi Hua 三七花）and Gynostemma Pentaphyllum (Jiao Gu Lan 绞股蓝）to create a potent triglyceride-lowering beverage. Notes:For individuals with 2 or 3 of these conditions concurrently, the above-mentioned ingredients can be mixed-up and switched around to achieve the same effects. For example, an individual with both hypertension and hyperglycemia can have tea with chrysanthemum, mulberry leaf and Prunella vulgaris which is the famous Xia Sang Ju (夏桑菊) that many Chinese people are acquainted with. The number of ingredients doesn’t matter but for the sake of a tea, we normally keep the number of ingredients at 3 or lower. If you are making tea with 3 herbs for 1 person only, the amount to add is in the range of 1-5g per herb. Multiply the amount by the number of people sharing the drink accordingly. In summary, these drinks can be drunk safely over the course of a few weeks to a few months*. However, if you do not see any improvements in the conditions after 3 months of consumption, do seek a trained physician or doctor to manage them properly*. *Not suitable for pregnant women, individuals suffering from fever, patients with severe cases and individuals under medication. 2) Lifestyle and dietary changes Regardless of the treatments one does, it is always of great importance to also control what we consume in our diets. After all, this trio of metabolic conditions commonly arises from an imbalanced diet. A healthy diet high in fibre and minerals while low in processed food and salt can help to stave off the 3-Highs by slowing down the rate of absorption of glucose, while maintaining the right balance of nutrients for our body. Foods high in fibre include pumpkin, sweet potatoes and radish while minerals can be obtained from fresh fruits, vegetables or supplements. Avoid food that comes in a can as these usually contain more preservatives and additives that can be inflammatory to our body. Chronic inflammation has been known to be associated with increased risk of heart disease or stroke for 20 years, but new studies show that reducing inflammation can lower the likelihood of subsequent heart attacks