Preventing the 3-Highs with TCM

High blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol—known as the “3 Highs”—are increasingly common. While conventional medicine treats them separately, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views them as interconnected imbalances that can be prevented or managed holistically when detected early.

Whilst conventional medicine excels at managing established diseases, TCM is effective during the early stage—before diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol fully develop—when the body shows subtle warning signs.

 

Understanding the “3 Highs” Through TCM

TCM sees the “3 Highs” as signs of deeper systemic imbalance involving:

• Qi Deficiency and Stagnation: When the body's vital energy becomes depleted or blocked, it cannot properly regulate blood sugar, move blood efficiently through vessels, or metabolise fats. This energetic stagnation creates the perfect environment for metabolic dysfunction.
• Organ System Disharmony: The Spleen, Liver, and Kidney systems play crucial roles in metabolism, circulation, and fluid regulation. When these organ systems become imbalanced—often due to prolonged stress, poor diet, or insufficient rest—they can no longer perform their regulatory functions optimally.
• Damp-Heat Accumulation: Modern diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats create what TCM calls "dampness" in the body. When combined with inflammatory processes (heat), this damp-heat pattern directly contributes to insulin resistance, arterial inflammation, and lipid disorders.

These underlying patterns often exist for months or years before blood tests show abnormal readings. This is precisely where TCM's preventive strength lies.

 

Why Early TCM Intervention Matters

TCM works best during pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, or borderline cholesterol stages. At this stage, the body is still responsive and hasn't yet sustained significant damage.

During these critical early phases, TCM can:

1. Restore Metabolic Balance: Through acupuncture and herbal medicine, TCM can strengthen the Spleen's ability to transform and transport nutrients, improve the Liver's regulation of blood sugar and fats, and enhance the Kidney's role in fluid metabolism and blood pressure regulation.
2. Improve Circulation and Reduce Inflammation: Acupuncture has been shown to improve blood flow, reduce vascular inflammation, and help regulate the autonomic nervous system—all crucial factors in preventing the progression of cardiovascular risk factors.
3. Address Root Causes, Not Just Symptoms: Rather than simply suppressing high numbers, TCM treatments aim to resolve the underlying imbalances that created them. This approach often leads to sustainable improvements that extend beyond single markers.

 

TCM Treatments for Preventing the “3 Highs”

A comprehensive TCM approach to preventing the "3 Highs" typically includes:

• Acupuncture: Strategic point selection can regulate blood pressure through effects on the neuroendocrine system, with studies showing significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 8 weeks of treatment (1). A meta-analysis involving 1,196 patients demonstrated that acupuncture is more effective than placebo in treating grade 1 hypertension, with improvements in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (2). Research has also shown that acupuncture can ameliorate insulin sensitivity, improve pancreatic β-cell function, and significantly reduce blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (3). Regular acupuncture sessions create cumulative benefits that help maintain metabolic balance.
• Herbal Medicine: Customised herbal formulations are designed to address specific patterns of imbalance. Research has demonstrated that Chinese herbal medicine can significantly lower triglycerides and improve lipid profiles by inhibiting intestinal absorption of lipids, reducing endogenous cholesterol synthesis, and promoting cholesterol excretion (4). Studies of patients with coronary heart disease showed that Chinese herbal medicine combined with Western medicine significantly reduced LDL cholesterol levels and decreased major cardiovascular events by 48% compared to Western medicine alone (5). These herbal formulations simultaneously address the root TCM patterns causing metabolic imbalances.
• Dietary Therapy: TCM dietary recommendations go beyond general healthy eating guidelines. Based on individual constitution and specific imbalances, personalised advice is provided on which foods to emphasise or avoid, optimal meal timing, and cooking methods that support the body's healing.

Who Should Try TCM for the “3 Highs”?

Individuals may benefit from TCM preventive care if they:

• Have family history of diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease
• Have been told they're "borderline" or "pre-diabetic"
• Have noticed their blood pressure or cholesterol slowly creeping up over the years
• Experience symptoms like fatigue, poor sleep, digestive issues, or stubborn weight gain
• Feel that stress significantly impacts health
• Want to take proactive steps before problems develop
• Seek a natural, holistic approach that complements current healthcare

TCM is not a replacement for necessary conventional medical care, especially in advanced disease. However, it offers a powerful complementary approach that can enhance treatment outcomes, reduce medication needs over time, and improve overall quality of life.

 

Start with a TCM Body Constitution Assessment

Before beginning any preventive programme, understanding individual body constitution is essential. In TCM, body constitution refers to the body's natural tendencies—how energy, blood, Yin, Yang, and organ systems function. It reflects inherited traits and how the body responds to lifestyle, diet, emotions, and environment.

Think of it as the body's "internal climate." Just as some people naturally tolerate heat better or catch colds easily, TCM describes these patterns as different constitutions. Understanding your constitution helps identify vulnerabilities and the best ways to prevent metabolic imbalances before they develop.

Take action before it's too late. The best time to address the "3 Highs" is before they become chronic conditions. Act early—prevent chronic conditions by addressing root imbalances for lasting health.

Ready to take proactive steps?

Click here to learn more. Upon purchase, the assessment link will be sent to you to complete before your in-clinic consultation with our TCM Physicians, who will develop a tailored prevention plan based on your results.

References

[1]: Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Cheng L, et al. Long-Lasting Reduction of Blood Pressure by Electroacupuncture in Patients with Hypertension: Randomized Controlled Trial. Medical Acupuncture. 2015;27(4):253-266.

[2]: Li J, Liang X, Wei B, et al. Association between acupuncture and grade 1 hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2022;69:102845.

[3]: Frontiers in Endocrinology. The effect of acupuncture on blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2025.

[4]: Wong CHL, Lim JY, Wijaya V, et al. The Effects and Safety of Chinese Herbal Medicine on Blood Lipid Profiles in Placebo-Controlled Weight-Loss Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022;2022:1368576.

[5]: Liu X, Wang X, Li B, et al. Traditional Chinese medicine lowering lipid levels and cardiovascular events across baseline lipid levels among coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024.