International Journal of Clinical Case Reports 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 351-361 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijccr 352 than standard care alone (Wang et al., 2023). This underscores the need for further research to explore the practical applications and benefits of integrating TCM constitution theory with modern dietary therapy. This study will evaluate the current status and development trends of integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution identification with modern personalized dietary therapy, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits, challenges, and future directions of this approach. The significance of this research lies in its potential to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern medical practices, offering a more holistic and personalized dietary therapy approach to improve health outcomes and better understand how to optimize individualized dietary interventions for different constitution types. 2 Theoretical Framework and Classification Methods of TCM Constitution Identification 2.1 Classification and characteristics of TCM constitution types Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) identifies nine distinct constitution types, each associated with specific health conditions and predispositions. These constitution types are: balanced, qi-deficiency, yang-deficiency, yin-deficiency, phlegm-dampness, damp-heat, blood stasis, qi-stagnation, and inherited special constitution. Each type is characterized by unique physical and psychological traits, which influence an individual's susceptibility to various diseases. For instance, individuals with a qi-deficiency constitution often exhibit symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and a weak immune system, making them more prone to conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension (Liang et al.,2020; Bai et al., 2021). On the other hand, those with a yang-deficiency constitution may experience cold extremities, a pale complexion, and a preference for warmth, which correlates with diseases such as osteoporosis and irritable bowel syndrome (Liang et al.,2020). Yin-deficiency individuals, characterized by symptoms like night sweats, dry mouth, and irritability, are more susceptible to hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Phlegm-dampness constitution, marked by obesity, a greasy tongue coating, and a sensation of heaviness, is linked to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and fatty liver disease (Liang et al.,2020; Bai et al., 2021). 2.2 Key indicators and methods of constitution identification Constitution identification in TCM is traditionally based on a combination of symptoms, physical signs, and diagnostic techniques. Key indicators include facial and tongue features, pulse diagnosis, and physical examination indices. Modern approaches have integrated these traditional methods with advanced technologies to enhance accuracy and objectivity. For example, a study developed a diagnostic nomogram for blood stasis constitution (BSC) using objective facial and tongue features. This nomogram included indicators such as sex, hair volume, lip color, facial pigmentation, zygomatic texture, and sublingual vein characteristics, demonstrating high discrimination and calibration in identifying BSC (Meng et al., 2022). Another approach utilized a neural network-based system to correlate TCM constitution with physical examination indices, achieving a strong correlation between constitution types and physical indicators (Luo et al., 2018). Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms has been explored to classify TCM constitutions based on large datasets, showing promising results in terms of accuracy and efficiency (Li et al., 2019). 2.3 Application of constitution identification in personalized health management The identification of TCM constitutions plays a crucial role in personalized health management, guiding both preventive measures and therapeutic interventions. By understanding an individual's constitution type, practitioners can tailor health maintenance strategies to address specific susceptibilities and enhance overall well-being. For instance, constitution identification can inform dietary recommendations, lifestyle modifications, and herbal prescriptions tailored to an individual's unique needs. A review highlighted the application of TCM constitution theory in public health management, demonstrating its effectiveness in disease prevention and health maintenance.
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