浅谈高胆固醇之一

吴宇琛

Sum Wu

Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS)

Bachelor of Science Majoring in Psychology (UOW)

Director of Hurstville Chinese Herbs Centre

Vice Dean of College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics Australia

Specialising in pain management and mental wellbeing through Tradition Chinese medicine in combination with modern science in mental health, dieting and nutrition.

吴宇琛，澳大利亚政府注册中医师、针灸师，五龙岗大学心理学学士、悉尼科技大学中医系学士，澳大利亚松轩中医药中心主任医师，澳大利亚中医骨伤专科学院副院长。

擅长用传统针灸理伤手法和中药治疗各种新旧损伤痛症，特别采用中医中药和现代心理学、营养学相结合调理治疗各种慢性病和亚健康。

High Cholesterol

高胆固醇

High cholesterol, or hyperlipidaemia, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death worldwide. While Western medicine views cholesterol as a measurable biochemical marker directly linked to heart disease risk, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets it through the lens of internal balance, organ function, and Qi dynamics. Comparing these two perspectives highlights both the mechanistic precision of modern biomedicine and the holistic depth of traditional approaches, offering opportunities for integrative care.

高胆固醇（或称高脂血症）是心血管疾病的重要危险因子，而心血管疾病则是全球主要的死亡原因之一。西医将胆固醇视为可量化的生化指标，直接与心脏病风险相关；中医则从身体整体平衡、脏腑功能及气的运行角度来理解。比较两种医学观点，可见现代医学的精确机制与传统医学的整体思维，各自优势为综合治疗提供宝贵的可能性。

Western Medical Understanding of High Cholesterol

西医对高胆固醇的理解

In modern medicine, cholesterol is a fatty substance essential for building cell membranes and hormones. However, elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, often called “bad” cholesterol, can lead to plaque build-up in arteries, causing atherosclerosis, heart attack, or stroke. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.

在现代医学中，胆固醇是一种脂肪性物质，对构建细胞膜和合成激素至关重要。然而，当低密度脂蛋白（LDL，俗称「坏胆固醇」）水平升高时，容易在血管内形成斑块，引发动脉粥样硬化、心脏病或中风。高密度脂蛋白（HDL，俗称「好胆固醇」）则有助于将多余的胆固醇从血液中清除。

Common causes of high cholesterol include genetics, poor diet (especially high in saturated fats and trans fats), obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism. Diagnosis is straightforward through blood tests, and treatment primarily involves lifestyle modification and medication. Statins, the most widely prescribed drugs for high cholesterol, work by reducing cholesterol production in the liver and improving the body’s ability to remove it from the blood.

导致高胆固醇的常见原因包括遗传、饮食不当（特别是摄入过多饱和脂肪和反式脂肪）、肥胖、缺乏运动、吸烟以及糖尿病或甲状腺功能减退等疾病。诊断通常通过血液检测完成，治疗以生活方式的调整和药物治疗为主。最常用的他汀类药物可通过抑制肝脏胆固醇合成并促进胆固醇排出而降低血脂。

While effective, medications can have side effects such as muscle pain or liver enzyme elevation. As a result, some patients seek complementary approaches to support cardiovascular health, including dietary therapy, herbal medicine, and stress management; areas where TCM offers valuable insights.

虽然效果显著，但药物可能带来副作用，如肌肉疼痛或肝酶升高。因此，一些患者寻求辅助疗法以改善心血管健康，包括饮食调理，中药治疗及情志管理等，这些正是中医的强项。

TCM Interpretation of High Cholesterol

中医对高胆固醇的认识

In TCM, there is no direct term for “cholesterol,” but conditions resembling hyperlipidaemia are often described as Phlegm-Dampness accumulation, Blood stasis, or Spleen deficiency with Dampness. Cholesterol build up is seen not simply as a local problem in the blood vessels, but as a sign that the bodies internal balance, especially in digestion, circulation, and metabolism, has been disrupted.

中医中并无“胆固醇”一词，但与高脂血症相似的病证多归属于“痰湿内阻”、“血瘀”、“脾虚湿盛”等范畴。胆固醇堆积并非单纯的血管局部问题，而是身体内部平衡失调的反映，尤其与脾胃运化，气血运行及代谢功能相关。

The Spleen, in TCM physiology, governs transformation and transportation of food and fluids. When its function is weakened by poor diet, stress, or overwork, fluids accumulate and congeal into Phlegm or Dampness. Over time, this stagnation may obstruct blood flow and contribute to Blood stasis, a concept that parallels the modern idea of arterial plaque and poor circulation.

中医认为，脾主运化水谷精微。饮食不节，思虑过度或劳倦伤脾，会使运化功能减弱，体内水湿停聚，凝结成痰。痰湿日久，可阻滞血脉，形成血瘀，与西医所说的动脉硬化有相似之处。

Liver imbalance is also commonly implicated. The Liver is responsible for maintaining the smooth flow of Qi and regulating emotions. Stress, frustration, or anger can lead to Liver Qi stagnation, which transforms into internal Heat, damaging vessels and aggravating Phlegm accumulation. This combination of Spleen weakness and Liver stagnation creates the internal environment conducive to high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.

肝的功能失调也是重要因素。肝主疏泄，调畅气机。情绪紧张、郁怒不舒，会导致肝气郁结，化火生热，灼伤血脉并加重痰湿。脾虚与肝郁并见，痰、瘀、热互结，便构成高胆固醇及心血管疾病的内在环境。

TCM Approaches to Treatment

中医的治疗方法

Treatment in TCM focuses on addressing the root causes while improving circulation and digestion. Herbal formulas such as Er Chen Tang and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang may be prescribed to resolve Phlegm, strengthen the Spleen, and promote Blood flow. Acupuncture can further regulate Qi movement, calm the mind, and support organ harmony.

中医治疗着重于标本兼顾，既调气血，化痰瘀，又健脾助运。常用方剂如二陈汤、血府逐瘀汤等，用以健脾化痰，行气活血。 针灸可进一步疏通经络，调和脏腑，安神理气。

For example, at our clinic we may use a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture and topical herbal paste as a therapy. While treating the internal imbalances via herbal medicine, treatments such as our clinic’s topical herbal pastes can also help promote Qi and Blood circulation and unblocking underlying acupuncture channels. By invigorating blood movement and Qi circulation, we can promote a healthier cardiovascular health and reinforce the function of various organs such as the Spleen and Liver which will help combat cardiovascular and cholesterol diseases.

例如，我们诊所可能会采用中药、针灸和外用药膏相结合的治疗方法。在用中药调理体内失衡的同时，我们诊所的外用药膏等疗法也能促进气血运行，疏通经络。通过增强血液循环和气血运行，我们可以促进心血管健康，并增强脾脏，肝脏等器官的功能，从而有助于预防心血管疾病和高胆固醇疾病。

Dietary therapy also plays a crucial role. Patients are encouraged to eat light, easily digestible foods, reduce greasy, sweet, and fried items and increase vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Foods such as garlic, hawthorn berries, and green tea are traditionally recommended for clearing Phlegm and moving Blood.

饮食调养亦为关键。患者宜多食清淡、易消化之品，少食油腻、甜食及煎炸之物，多摄入蔬菜，全谷及豆类。大蒜、山楂、绿茶等食物历来被认为能化痰降脂，活血通络。

Integrative Perspective

中西医结合的启示

Both TCM and Western medicine aim to prevent complications by restoring balance, one through biochemical regulation, the other through restoring imbalances in the body. Combining the two can be highly effective. Western medicine provides clear diagnostic markers and rapid reduction of cholesterol levels when needed, while TCM offers long-term regulation of metabolic and emotional factors. Together, they form a comprehensive approach that not only lowers cholesterol but also strengthens overall cardiovascular health and vitality.

无论中医还是西医，其目标皆是恢复平衡、预防并发症。西医通过生化调控快速降低胆固醇；中医则着眼于整体调养，调节代谢与情志因素。二者结合，可形成系统而全面的治疗体系，不仅降低胆固醇，更能增强心血管功能与整体活力，达到“治未病”的理想状态。

如有疑问想咨询吴宇琛中医师，可以在微信或whatsapp搜索61 404836368，加吴宇琛中医师微信或whatsapp，也可以发短信或致电0404836368作语音留言，吴宇琛中医师有空就会回复。

（吴宇琛中医师，澳大利亚政府注册中医师、针灸师，五龙岗大学心理学学士、悉尼科技大学中医系学士，悉尼好思维松轩药行主任中医师，澳大利亚中医骨伤专科学院副院长，本文仅供参考，具体诊疗应咨询专业人士。）