Eating Pig Feet Can Help Prevent Neurasthenia
Eating Pig Feet Can Help Prevent Neurasthenia
Pig feet are a popular nutritious delicacy. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, pig feet are neutral in nature and sweet-salty in flavor. They nourish weakness, enrich kidney essence, and strengthen the knees. Modern nutritional studies show that pig feet contain abundant protein, fat, carbohydrates, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. They are rich in collagen protein, which has a beneficial therapeutic effect on neurasthenia (insomnia) in the elderly.
The collagen protein in pig feet consists of numerous amino acids, with one glycine present for every three amino acids. After consumption, collagen is digested in the small intestine into large amounts of glycine. This amino acid not only participates in collagen synthesis in the body but also acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain cells, producing a calming effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, eating pig feet helps reduce excessive central nervous system excitation, improving anxiety states, neurasthenia, and insomnia. Moreover, glycine exists in intermediate neurons of the spinal cord. When these neurons are damaged, supplementing glycine is essential. Glycine can inhibit the excitability of spinal motor neurons and intermediate neurons, inducing hyperpolarization of spinal neurons. Thus, consuming pig feet rich in glycine positively regulates the functional activity of spinal neurons. Because the glycine in pig feet has a sedative effect on the central nervous system, it has been observed that some people frequently experience calf cramps or numbness, and certain drug-induced spasms can be alleviated or treated by regularly consuming pig foot soup.
However, note that pig feet contain high levels of fat; individuals with atherosclerosis or hypertension should consume them sparingly. Those with excessive phlegm obstruction or food stagnation should also avoid them.