Food Therapy in Sinosphere Asia

Area of Science:

• Integrative medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Traditional Chinese Food Therapy (TCFT) is a dietary practice in Sinosphere Asia, classifying foods as cooling (Yin) or heaty (Yang).
• Functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are prevalent chronic gut disorders in Sinosphere Asia, with diet recognized as a key symptom trigger.
• Western dietary therapies, such as a low Fermentable, Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAP) diet, show efficacy for IBS management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of diet and nutrition in Sinosphere Asia concerning FD and IBS.
• To examine the potential integration of TCFT with evidence-based Western dietary therapies for FD and IBS management.
• To identify research gaps in TCFT for FD and IBS, including standardization, mechanistic rationale, and clinical evidence.

Main Methods:

• Literature review summarizing existing research on diet and nutrition in Sinosphere Asia.
• Analysis of TCFT principles and their application to FD and IBS.
• Exploration of potential integration pathways between TCFT and Western dietary interventions.

Main Results:

• Diet plays a significant role in symptom management for FD and IBS in Sinosphere Asia.
• TCFT is utilized by some IBS patients in the region, presenting an opportunity for integration.
• Current research on TCFT for FD and IBS is limited by a lack of standardization and robust clinical evidence.

Conclusions:

• Integrating TCFT with Western dietary therapies like low-FODMAP diets could offer novel management strategies for FD and IBS.
• Further research is crucial to standardize TCFT classifications and validate its efficacy through mechanistic and clinical studies.
• Developing an ideal practitioner framework is necessary for the effective implementation of integrated dietary approaches.