Ayurveda and TCM philosophies emphasize more on preventive healing rather than treatment. They both focused on nutrition, food, and psychotherapeutic healing aspects.
I looked at the diet recommendations for cancer prevention and post-treatment management as I researched for my book on natural solutions for cancer.
In Ayurveda, the body and its diseases are products of food. Food is categorized as wholesome and unwholesome. Foods should be compatible with the body. Ayurveda lays great stress on selecting food, processing, cooking, and defining healthy eating rules. It recommends a low-fat but nutrition-rich diet. The focus is on fruit and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.
TCM dietitians recommend a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruit, cereals, and grain with high fiber to aid bowel movements and advise patients to avoid spicy and fried foods. Herbs such as ginseng, astragalus, reishi mushroom, and other adaptogen herbs are often recommended to build immunity.
TCM diet is fresh, high in fiber, and low in fat. The focus is on fresh vegetables and fruit that are relatively rich in protein. TCM also recommends seafood and poultry as sources of protein.
Modern-day dietitians recommend carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, cantaloupe, squashes, and tomato-rich in carotenoids, converted to Vitamin A by the body.
Bananas, baked potatoes, chickpeas, certain types of fish (e.g., tuna), and lean chicken are rich in Vitamin B6. Citrus fruits, strawberries, guava, leafy vegetables, bell peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, and spinach are a source of Vitamin C.
Cereals, milk, and fatty fish have high levels of Vitamin D. At the same time, almonds, broccoli, hazelnuts, spinach, and sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E. Beans, peas, and leafy green vegetables are rich in folic acid. In contrast, poultry, seafood, beans, broccoli, and kale are good sources of iron.
Selenium is found in barley, broccoli, garlic, sardines, tuna, zinc in chickpeas, baked beans, lean meat, poultry, yogurt, and crabs. Vitamins and minerals are critical to building the immune system, which helps the body fight infections and disease.
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