Food Therapy

The ideas of yin and yang are used in the sphere of food and cooking. Yang foods are believed to increase the body’s heat (eg. raise the metabolism), while Yin foods are believed to decrease the body’s heat (eg. lower the metabolism). As a generalization, Yang foods tend to be dense in food energy, especially energy from fat, while Yin foods tend to have high water content. The Chinese ideal is to eat both types of food to keep the body in balance. An animal eating too much Yang food might suffer from skin problems, ear infections and bad breath while an animal lacking Yang food might be lethargic or anemic.

Foods can assist in relieving dryness or draining dampness. They can warm or cool. Some can build Blood or Qi. While eating in balance is always good, with certain patterns specific food therapies can be very helpful.

Dr. Mathis will recommend food choices based on the pattern she finds with your pet.