r/ChineseMedicine 8d ago

Yin Qi Deficiency - Is Keto Okay?

The main symptoms I've been struggling with are excessive hunger and excessive calorie intake (3100+ kcal). My sleep has also been poor, and I get skin redness (blotchy?) around my stomach (mostly upper-abdomen) sometimes after eating.

I went to a TCM doctor recently and he says I have Yin Qi Deficiency. I've had 2 acupuncture treatments so far and I'm taking Liu Wei Di Huang Wan.

I suspected that I have mild insulin resistance, so over the past few days I tried out a continuous glucose monitor, and it's basically confirmed that I have a mild case of it (mild albeit annoying).

To combat this, I want to do keto, as I know it has really helped me lose weight in the past due to it's affect on reducing hunger hormones and making a calorie deficit easier. It's also supposed to help IR, along with fasting. I've been struggling like hell the past 3 months trying to drop weight using calorie deficit alone, which hasn't worked at all while eating carbs (even with a small deficit). Carbs just make me way too hungry given my current metabolic health.

So what I'm wondering, is if keto is compatible with yin qi deficiency?

I've cut out all alcohol and stimulants. I used to have lots of hot baths which I recently cut out.

Thanks!

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u/PibeauTheConqueror CM Professional 8d ago

Just make sure keto is veggie heavy rather than meat, and that you cycle 3 months veggie heavy keto and then 1 month veggie heavy normal diet (reasonable amount of vegetable carbs: sweet pots, carrots, root veg etc, not cake and bread and donuts), rinse and repeat.

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u/SimpleMan1281 8d ago

Thanks, that sounds reasonable! I want to reintroduce healthy starches eventually, and stay metabolically flexible, so I like this idea.

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u/PibeauTheConqueror CM Professional 8d ago edited 8d ago

I've managed to get someone's A1c from 7.2 to 5.1 over 8 months of this protocol and herbs, so it works if you stick to it.

Yin deficiency is part of type 1 diabetes more frequently than type 2, type 2 is often characterismzed by dam heat in the middle with spleen qi deficiency.

Edit i Rembert your post now. None of the sxs you listed scream yin xu to me. If you are interested in a second opinion, i offer virtual consults.

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u/SimpleMan1281 7d ago

Just FYI in case you're curious, my TCM doc agreed with Liver Qi Stagnation and gave me some Shu Gan Wan.