The Spleen: More Important Than Many Realize

I get many patients who come in for digestive issues and are often surprised to hear that an imbalance involving their spleen is the cause. In Western medicine, the spleen, a so-called "B-List abdominal organ" is rarely discussed. However, a recent study conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical center shows that the spleen plays a bigger role than suspected.

The spleen serves a reservoir for immune cells called monocytes—consider them little cellular repair workers—which it will release into the bloodstream in the event of a serious trauma to the body to help stop the crisis. This finding came as a huge surprise to researchers, who had previously assumed that the origin of these cells was more likely bone marrow.

This just goes to show that we should never underestimate the value of any part of our body—they are all part of a very important whole, and what goes on in one place, however small or insignificant it may seem, can have a huge impact on our physical, mental, and emotional health.

To read more about the spleen, read this article that ran this past Tuesday in the New York Times Science section, called "Finally, the Spleen Gets Some Respect."

Microbes 'R' Us

On July 21st in the New York Times blog, The Wild Side, Olivia Judson wrote about the huge amount of bacteria present in our bodies (about 10 bacterial cells for every human cell) and the ways in which certain ones proliferate depending on the foods we eat.

The "gut bacteria," as she calls them, are particularly important. Located in the digestive tract, they play a key role in the digestive process and immune function. They also make the small molecules needed for our enzymes to work properly and alter which genes get turned on and off in our intestinal walls. Having a wide variety is key to a healthy body.

What we eat has a huge effect on these gut bacteria. A diet rich in sugars and fats reduces their diversity, causing a shift towards bacteria that are most efficient at extracting energy. However, eating more plant foods can help you shift back. Ingesting foods rich in probiotic bacteria can also be beneficial. Try miso soup or foods like yogurt and kefir.

I often see that an overuse of antibiotics also really disrupts the gut because it wipes out these important bacteria. Often, natural treatments such as acupuncture and herbs can alleviate symptoms and boost immunity better than an antibiotic. If you absolutely have to take antibiotics, though, it's a good idea to also take a multi-strain probiotic to help protect the balance.

To read more about how traditional Chinese medicine can help fight illness, visit Five Seasons Healing online.