Treatment of Obese Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from Liver, Spleen and Kidney Based on the Theory of Huangdi Neijing

Abstract

Obesity is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Based on the theory of The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, this paper systematically reviews the traditional Chinese medicine etiology, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, and prevention strategies for obese type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is believed that the onset of this disease is centered on the dysfunction of the liver, spleen, and kidney, and is closely related to insufficient innate endowment, improper diet, and emotional dysregulation. Clinically, four common syndrome types are identified: spleen deficiency with phlegm-dampness, liver-stomach stagnation heat, phlegm-stasis intermingling, and spleen-kidney yang deficiency. The treatment should take soothing the liver, strengthening the spleen, and benefiting the kidney as the basic principles, with adjunct therapies of resolving phlegm, removing dampness, activating blood, and warming yang according to the syndrome. For prevention, the health-preserving concepts from The Inner Classic—“following nature, moderating food and drink, regular daily routine, and keeping the spirit within”—should be followed to provide comprehensive lifestyle intervention. This paper aims to further improve the TCM differentiation and treatment system for obese type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to provide a more comprehensive and systematic theoretical reference and practical approach for clinical prevention, treatment, and research.