International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.6, 380-392 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 384 The TCM understanding of diabetes as Xiaoke disease emphasizes the importance of internal balance and constitution in disease development and treatment. Identifying an individual's constitution allows for personalized, classification-based treatment strategies that address the specific imbalances contributing to diabetes. This approach not only aligns with the principles of precision medicine but also offers a promising avenue for improving diabetes management and patient outcomes (Li et al., 2019; Bai et al., 2021; Chung et al., 2022). 4 Theoretical Basis of TCM Constitution Identification and Individualized Dietary Therapy 4.1 Basic principles of TCM dietary therapy Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) dietary therapy is deeply rooted in the principles of balance and harmony within the body. According to TCM, food is not only a source of nutrients but also a form of medicine that can influence the body's internal balance and health. The basic principles of TCM dietary therapy involve the classification of foods based on their energetic properties, such as temperature (hot, warm, neutral, cool, cold), flavor (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty), and their effects on different organs and meridians. This classification helps in tailoring dietary recommendations to an individual's specific constitution and health condition, aiming to restore balance and promote health (Dong-peng, 2012; Wang et al., 2022). One of the core concepts in TCM dietary therapy is the identification of an individual's constitution, which refers to the inherent characteristics and tendencies of a person's body. This includes aspects such as physical appearance, emotional state, and susceptibility to certain diseases. By understanding an individual's constitution, TCM practitioners can recommend specific foods that are believed to harmonize the body's internal environment. For example, individuals with a "yin-deficiency" constitution, which is characterized by symptoms such as dryness and heat, may be advised to consume cooling and moistening foods like pears and cucumbers. Conversely, those with a "yang-deficiency" constitution, marked by coldness and fatigue, might benefit from warming foods like ginger and lamb (Bai et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2023). The practice of TCM dietary therapy is not only about treating existing conditions but also about preventing disease and maintaining overall health. By aligning dietary choices with the principles of TCM, individuals can support their body's natural balance and resilience. This approach is particularly relevant in the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, where individualized dietary therapy based on TCM principles has shown promise in improving clinical outcomes and enhancing quality of life (Yu et al., 2018; Tian et al., 2019; Ma et al., 2023). 4.2 Theoretical foundation for formulating individualized dietary plans based on constitution characteristics The theoretical foundation for formulating individualized dietary plans based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution characteristics is deeply rooted in the understanding that each individual's constitution influences their health and response to dietary interventions. TCM identifies various constitution types, each with unique physiological and psychological traits, which can be used to tailor dietary recommendations to optimize health outcomes. This approach is supported by evidence suggesting that personalized nutrition, which considers individual differences in diet, lifestyle, phenotype, and genotype, can lead to more significant and sustained improvements in dietary behavior and health markers compared to conventional dietary advice (Celis-Morales et al., 2016; Aldubayan et al., 2022; Hillesheim et al., 2023). Research has shown that TCM constitution-based dietary interventions can be effective in managing chronic conditions such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. For instance, a randomized trial demonstrated that a TCM constitution-based dietary regime led to better blood pressure control and improved clinical parameters among hypertensive patients compared to usual care (Wang et al., 2023). This highlights the potential of constitution-specific dietary plans to address individual health needs more effectively. Furthermore, the integration of modern nutritional science with TCM principles, such as the use of metabotype frameworks and genetic profiling, has shown promise in enhancing dietary quality and metabolic health, thereby reducing the risk of diet-related diseases (Qi, 2009; Hillesheim et al., 2023). These findings underscore the importance of considering constitution characteristics in the development of individualized dietary therapies to achieve optimal health outcomes.
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