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📖 Donguibogam > Neijing Pian (Chapter of the Inner Canon)
What Does It Mean to Always Lack Nutrition, Even When Eating Well?
Translation Disclaimer
This content is a carefully translated version of traditional Korean medical records (Donguibogam) and its modern interpretations. While prepared by specialized medical translators, it is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions.
Modern Symptoms
Why are we experiencing this pain?
"Dear readers, have you ever wondered, 'I eat well, so why do I feel so low on energy (Qi)? Could I be nutritionally deficient?' If a healthy diet seems ineffective, or if you suffer from chronic fatigue, feeling weighed down throughout your body, or if you're deeply concerned about dull hair and easily broken nails, then today's discussion is for you."
Modern Medical Proof
It's Not Just What You Eat, But How You Absorb It: Modern Medicine Unveils the Secrets of the Small Intestine
The small intestine is a long, tube-like organ, approximately 6-7 meters in length, serving as the primary organ for absorbing nutrients as food passes through it. The concept of 'discernment' as described in the Donguibogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine) is very similar to the 'nutrient absorption process' in modern medicine. The carbohydrates, protein, and fat we consume are broken down into smaller glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids by enzymes in the small intestine. These small nutrients are then absorbed through the numerous villi in the small intestinal wall, entering the blood and being supplied to the whole body. The challenge is that this 'absorption rate' varies from person to person. Even with an excellent diet, if the function of the small intestine is impaired due to various factors such as stress, irregular eating habits, chronic inflammation, certain medications, and most importantly, gut microbiota dysbiosis, then the nutrient absorption rate can significantly decrease. For instance, if the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut is disrupted, digestive enzyme activity diminishes, and inflammatory responses in the small intestinal mucosa can be induced, potentially leading to a state like 'leaky gut syndrome'. When the 'tight junctions' between intestinal mucosal cells loosen, improperly digested large-molecule food or toxins can enter the blood, which may contribute to systemic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and allergic reactions. Furthermore, stress directly impacts our body's digestive system. In situations of stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, reducing blood flow to the digestive organs, which inhibits digestive enzyme secretion and decreases intestinal motility. This means that no matter how delicious the food, the body perceives it as an 'emergency' and cannot properly digest it. Ultimately, the absorption of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals is hindered, resulting in various symptoms such as chronic fatigue, feelings of low energy, decreased concentration, skin problems, and weakened immunity. Considering that approximately 90% of serotonin, which is crucial for brain function, is produced in the gut, you can imagine the significant impact gut health and nutrient absorption problems have on our emotional state and mental health. This is precisely why simply consuming nutritional supplements often falls short of providing a fundamental solution. The key lies in strengthening the body's absorption capacity.
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Simple Lifestyle Changes to Boost Your Body's Nutrient Absorption Starting Today!
2 steps you can take right now
1
Chew Slowly and Thoroughly
For each bite of food, try to chew it at least 20-30 times before swallowing. Digestive enzymes such as amylase in your saliva pre-digest food, breaking it down into smaller, easily absorbable forms for the small intestine. Additionally, eating slowly helps you feel satiety sooner, which can help prevent overeating. This simple act gives your body ample time to absorb nutrients.
2
3-Minute 'Breath Regulation' Meditation Before Meals
Take just three minutes before your meal to close your eyes and practice deep breathing. Repeat deep inhalations through your nose and slow exhalations through your mouth 5-10 times. This helps calm the sympathetic nervous system activated by stress and activates the parasympathetic nervous system that aids digestion. You are essentially signaling to your body, 'I am ready to receive food!' This small habit can remarkably enhance the absorption capacity of the small intestine.
Traditional Wisdom
Eating Well Isn't Always Enough: The Wisdom of the Small Intestine
In the Donguibogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine), our body is viewed as a small universe, where the role and harmony of each zang-fu organ are considered profoundly important. Among these, the small intestine is seen as having the crucial role of a 'Fu organ of receiving and containing' (similar to the Stomach in TCM), which involves receiving food, storing it, and digesting it. Beyond simply taking in food, the true capability of the small intestine lies in its 'discrimination'. This concept, the 'separation of clear and turbid', refers to its remarkable ability to discern and separate the clear from the turbid. It acts like a highly sophisticated filter, extracting the essential 'nutrient essence' that the body needs from the food we consume, and sending any unnecessary or harmful waste products down to the large intestine.
Imagine this: even if our body consumes an abundance of delicious food, meticulously prepared by the finest chef, what if the small intestine cannot perform its function properly and fails to adequately absorb the 'clear nutrients'? It's like receiving a box filled with precious jewels, but the lock is broken and cannot be opened. No matter how many beneficial nutritional supplements you consume, and even if you adhere strictly to a diet rich in organic vegetables and protein, if the small intestine's differentiating function weakens, all these efforts become like pouring water into a bottomless pit. Consequently, the body finds itself in an ironic state of 'nutritional deficiency' amidst a flood of nutrients. This could be the reason why you constantly feel fatigue, your immunity declines, and your skin and hair lose their luster. The profound wisdom of the Donguibogam (Principles and Practice of Eastern Medicine)—that the health of the small intestine is directly linked to the vitality of our entire body—is truly remarkable.
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Author: AI Donguibogam Research Team
We analyze Heo Jun's 'Donguibogam', a UNESCO Memory of the World, using modern data science and AI. Our goal is to reinterpret the wisdom of traditional medicine hidden in ancient texts to suit the lifestyles of busy modern people and deliver it in an easy-to-understand way.
Caution (Disclaimer): This content is for providing health information based on historical literature and cannot replace medical diagnosis and treatment. If you have any health problems, please consult a specialist (doctor/oriental medical doctor).