Vitamins-Minerals
Chinese Medical Classifications of Nutrients
Traditional Chinese medical (TCM) theory has been developed over many centuries and the core ideology pre-dates the discovery of individual vitamins and minerals which is relatively recent. However, with a modern understanding of how these substances can benefit the body it is easy to overlay them with specific TCM archetypes based on Chinese medicine with a few liberties taken. Most vitamins and mineral impact multiple organs and elements.
Note: This is a theoretical exercise with the understanding that these substances would be of benefit only in the case that they are lacking.
Five Elemental Classifications of Vitamins
Five Element theory of traditional Chinese medicine associates energetic organ systems, emotions, sensory organs, and all of the related symptoms of each element. It is a core tool of Chinese medicine to allow practitioners of Asian medicine to form an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
Water Element of Chinese Medicine and Nutrients
Vitamin A
- Benefits the ears
- Nourishes the mucous membranes of the Urinary Bladder
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Promotes the DNA synthesis and generates structure
- Vital to reproduction
- Protects Kidney Yin
Vitamin B-12 Cobalamin
- Essential for healthy growth and the utilization of our DNA blueprint
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
- Directionally rises and holds the hair
- Treats bladder infections
- Benefits the spine and prevents back problems
Vitamin D
Wood Element of Chinese Medicine and Nutrients
Vitamin A
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
- Allows Liver to fulfill its function of storing and thus prevents Liver Yang Rising (high blood pressure)
- Deficiency can contribute to Liver Qi Stagnation
- Benefits the eyes
- Combats depression and irritability
- Associated with a lack of motivation when deficient
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Associated with arthritis if deficient
Vitamin B-6 Pyridoxine
- Associated with headaches and depression
- Prevents Liver attacking the Spleen due to Liver Qi Congestion
- Promotes liver’s ability to break down fatty acids
- Associated with hormonal balance in women
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
- Promotes liver’s ability to break down fatty acids
- Used in conditions with Internal Wind (likely due to Liver Congestion-think Parkinson’s disease)
- Associated with unexplained mood disorders and mood swings
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Used in conditions with Internal Wind (likely due to Liver Congestion-think Restless Leg Syndrome)
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
- Associated with treating gallstones
- Benefits the Liver
- Combats arthritis
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
Fire Element of Chinese Medicine and Nutrients
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
- Contributes to emotional health
- Strengthens the Heart muscle
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Breaks up Blood Stagnation
- Calms the Shen (necessary for psychological balances)
Vitamin B-6 Pyridoxine
Vitamin B-12 Cobalamin
- Associated with psychological disorders due to neurological issues
- Protects blood vessels
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
- Prevents heart disease as anti-oxidant
Earth Element of Chinese Medicine and Nutrients
Vitamin A
Vitamin B-2 Riboflavin
- Associated with the Stomach’s Yin qualities (cracks at the side of mouth, dry lips)
- Fortifies mucosa lining of Stomach-impacts sugar regulation & digestion
- Impacts absorption of foods (symptom: undigested food in stool)
Vitamin B-6 Pantothenic Acid
- Supports the Spleen’s function of metabolizing food
- Supports the Spleen’s function of extracting Qi energy from food (Symptom examples: Sinking Qi, muscle weakness)
- Deficiency associated with diabetes
Vitamin B-6 Pyridoxine
- Associated with symptoms of Spleen Deficiency (feeling of heavy limbs, weak muscles, low energy-fatigue)
- Promotes the Spleen’s function of assimilating foods (converts protein in to amino acids)
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
- Promotes the Spleen’s function of assimilating foods (converts protein in to amino acids)
- Associated with symptoms of Spleen Deficiency (feeling of heavy limbs, weak muscles, low energy-fatigue)
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Supports the Spleen function of generating tissue and promoting flesh
- Protects Stomach Yin (mucosa lining)
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
- Enhances the Spleen’s function of generating flesh-speeds healing from wounds and surgery
- Resolves muscle fatigue
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
- Enhances the Spleen’s function of generating flesh- speeds healing from wounds and surgery
Metal Element of Chinese Medicine and Nutrients
The Metal Element of Chinese medicine includes the Lungs, Large Intestine, skin and sinuses. The Lungs are the most external Yin Organ in TCM and are closely associated with the Wei Qi which is associated with the immune response (see more below).
Vitamin A
- Benefits the skin
- Enhances the ability to smell and taste
- Protects the respiratory tract
- Nourishes the mucous membranes of the Large Intestine & sinuses
- Re-enforces the Wei Qi
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
- Benefits the Liver energetic organs ability to move Qi
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Fortifies and thickens the skin
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Combats dermatitis
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
- Involved with bone growth
- Treats all types of skin conditions
Vitamin D-3 Cholecalciferol
- Protects the colon by enabling the lining to absorb calcium (possibly)
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
- Benefits the skin by maintaining the stability of skin membranes
- Protects the Lungs from environmental toxins
Brain (Sometimes referred to as a Curious Organ in Chinese Medicine)
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
- Benefits neurological pathways (memory)
- Improves memory and concentration
- Combats insomnia
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Directs Qi and Blood up to the brain
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Calms the Shen (necessary for psychological balances)
Vitamin B-6 Pyridoxine
- Used in children with autism (magnesium added to direct to the brain)
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
- Associated with unexplained mood disorders and mood swings
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Supports the utilization of amino acids in neurological structures of the brain
- Supports bone marrow production (the Brain of Chinese medicine is the Sea of Marrow)
Vitamin B-12 Cobalamin
- Reinforces blood-brain barrier from toxins
- Supports bone marrow production (the Brain of Chinese medicine is the Sea of Marrow)
- Deficiency results in a deterioration of neuro-connections
- Associated with auto-immune disorders (think crohn’s disease)
Vitamin D-3 Cholecalciferol
- Improves mood (think seasonal disorder)
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
The Three-Four Level Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nutrients
Theoretically, there are four levels that diseases must pass through; each becomes more serious as it progresses to deeper levels of the body. In reality, some viruses or diseases may not affect every level. This is a practical working theory of the most likely path that is taken:
- Wei (Defensive) Level
- Qi Level (or stage)
- Ying (Nutritive) Level
- Xue (Blood) Level
Wei Qi Level Preventive Nutrients
The Wei Qi level of Chinese medicine refers to the more outer-body protective abilities of the skin, nerves, muscles, sinews, tendons, and immune response (loosely). We have includes minerals and vitamins that play a role in the body’s defenses beyond the immune system here also.
Vitamin A
- Tonifies the Wei Qi-bolsters the immune system
- Protects the body from environmental toxins
Vitamin B-1 Thiamine
- Benefits the nerves (neuropathy)
- Anti-oxidant
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Fortifies and thickens the skin
Vitamin B-6 Pyridoxine
- Affects neurological issues (carpal tunnel)
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
- Associated with neurological disorders (Parkinson’s disease-peripheral neuropathy)
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Used with cancer patients to rebuild healthy cellular division
Vitamin B-12 Cobalamin
- Reinforces blood-brain barrier from toxins
- Associated with auto-immune disorders when deficient
- Deficiency results in a deterioration of nerve tissue (myelin sheath)
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
- Maintains the integrity of the skin
- Defends against environmental toxins and stresses
- Re-enforces immune system
- Generates flesh and heals wounds
Vitamin D-3 Cholecalciferol
- Boosts the immune system
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
- Blocks the formation of tumors
- Protects the lungs from environmental toxins
- Protects the cells from environmental toxins and radiation
Qi Level Nutrients
At this stage, the disease has progressed into the interior and begins to reach the organs. We discussed individual organs in the Five Element theory archetype above.
Ying Qi Level Preventative Nutrients
The Ying level of Chinese medicine is associated with the Blood, blood vessels, flesh, fascia, and connective tissue collectively.
Vitamin B-2 Riboflavin
- Promotes the production of red blood cells
- Deficit of riboflavin associated with Blood Stagnation due to Blood Deficiency
Vitamin B-3 Niacin
- Alleviates Blood Stagnation
- Flushes, pushes out through the sensory organs of the head (skin, sinuses, eyes-think allergies)
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
- Resolves dermatological issues due to Heat in the Blood
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Promotes the production of health red blood cells
Vitamin B-12 Cobalamin
- Protects blood vessels
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
- Enhances the action of iron in the blood and Blood production
- Anti-oxidant-cleanses the blood of damaging toxins
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
- Reinforces the blood vessel walls
Xue Level Preventative Nutrients
This is the Blood Level where diseases and conditions become more serious. Heat in the Blood is a common manifestation.
Vitamin B-7 Biotin
- Used in conditions with Internal Wind (likely due to Liver Congestion-think Parkinson’s disease)
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
- Powerful Blood level anti-oxidant (free radicals are Blood Heat)
- Prevents Blood Sticky (think cholesterol)
Yuan Qi Level Preventative Nutrients
This is from yet another three-level system of Asian medicine that considers the Yuan level as the bone, marrow, genetic considerations (loosely the Kidney Jing or Essence), which would be the deepest level, or our core.
Vitamin B-9 Folate
- Promotes the DNA synthesis of cell division
- Used with cancer patients preventatively with a familial history of cancer (think breast cancer)
Vitamin B-12 Cobalamin
- Plays a role in DNA synthesis
Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid
Vitamin D-3 Cholecalciferol
- Facilitates the body’s ability to utilize calcium in bone-building
Vitamin E d-alpha Tocopherol
Erem S, Atfi A, Razzaque MS. Anabolic effects of vitamin D and magnesium in aging bone. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2019;193:105400. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105400
Sunkara A, Raizner A. Supplemental Vitamins and Minerals for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment. Methodist Debakey Cardiovasc J. 2019;15(3):179‐184. doi:10.14797/mdcj-15-3-179
Godoy-Parejo C, Deng C, Zhang Y, Liu W, Chen G. Roles of vitamins in stem cells. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2020;77(9):1771‐1791. doi:10.1007/s00018-019-03352-6
Rapa SF, Di Iorio BR, Campiglia P, Heidland A, Marzocco S. Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Chronic Kidney Disease-Potential Therapeutic Role of Minerals, Vitamins and Plant-Derived Metabolites. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;21(1):263. Published 2019 Dec 30. doi:10.3390/ijms21010263
Mokbel K, Mokbel K. Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer With Vitamins and Micronutrients: A Concise Review. In Vivo. 2019;33(4):983‐997. doi:10.21873/invivo.11568
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.