Nutritional Guidance:
Personalized Nutrition in Los Angeles
Eastern Wisdom Meets Western Science
Written by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl. — Licensed California Acupuncturist and Founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture. Practicing since 2014.
Beyond Avoidance: A Proactive Framework for Health
Most health advice focuses on what to eliminate: reduce sugar, avoid processed foods, limit alcohol. While these guidelines have merit, they frame wellness negatively. The approach at Golden Mean Acupuncture inverts this paradigm by asking a different question: What foods actively support optimal function?
Each meal becomes an opportunity to strengthen gut integrity, balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and supply essential nutrients. This is not about perfection but about recognizing that daily nourishment built around nutrient-dense whole foods creates the foundation for lasting vitality. Sustainable dietary change depends on more than knowing what to eat; it requires addressing the stress patterns and constitutional imbalances that make healthy choices difficult to maintain.
Foundation of HealthThe Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome mediates the health effects of diet through its ability to co-digest nutrients and influence signaling to multiple organ systems (Sanz et al., 2025). Research shows dietary alterations can induce significant microbial shifts within 24 hours (Singh et al., 2017).
The gastrointestinal tract houses approximately 70% of the immune system, produces neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine, and maintains a complex microbial ecosystem influencing everything from metabolism to mood. A nutritionally balanced diet is critical for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, intestinal barrier integrity, and normal gut physiology (Wan et al., 2019).
Gut Health Facts
70% of immune system housed in gut
Produces serotonin and dopamine
Diet shifts microbiome in 24 hours
Influences metabolism and mood
Anti-Inflammatory Eating
Chronic inflammation contributes to the progression of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and cognitive disorders. One of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation comes not from the pharmacy but from the grocery store (Harvard Health, 2024).
An anti-inflammatory approach emphasizes:
omega-3 fatty acids from fish and walnuts,
colorful antioxidant-rich vegetables,
anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and ginger,
and minimizing processed oils and excess sugar.
Foods That May Contribute to Inflammation
Consider limiting:
Refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and pastries)
Fried foods
Soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages
Processed meats
Margarine and shortening
Addressing Specific Health Concerns
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Digestive Health
Bloating, gas, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome often respond dramatically to nutritional changes.
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Hormonal Balance
Supporting healthy hormone metabolism requires adequate healthy fats, cruciferous vegetables for estrogen detoxification, blood sugar balance, sufficient protein, and specific nutrients like zinc, B vitamins, and magnesium.
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Energy and Metabolic Health
Addressing blood sugar dysregulation, ensuring adequate protein, correcting nutrient deficiencies, and eliminating energy-depleting foods creates the foundation for sustained vitality.
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Mental Health
The food-mood connection is well-documented. Supporting neurotransmitter production requires adequate protein, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and blood sugar stability.
Core Nutritional Principles
Whole, Unprocessed Foods
Many ingredients in modern food processing have detrimental effects on the intestinal barrier and reduce gut microbiota diversity.
Blood Sugar Balance
Meals combining quality protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbohydrates prevent spikes and crashes that lead to cravings and metabolic dysfunction.
Digestive Fire
Chinese medicine emphasizes that warming and cooking foods makes nutrients more accessible for those with compromised digestion. Modern science supports this: cooking denatures proteins and breaks down plant cellulose, reducing the enzymatic load on the digestive system and improving nutrient bioavailability.
Mindful Eating
How you eat matters as much as what you eat. Eating in a relaxed state, chewing thoroughly, and paying attention to the body's signals enhances digestion and nutrient absorption.
Personalized Assessment
Nutritional guidance begins with comprehensive assessment of unique constitution, current health challenges, and goals. Sustainable change happens incrementally rather than overhauling everything overnight.
Location
Golden Mean Acupuncture is located near Dodger Stadium in Angelino Heights, serving Echo Park, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown, Downtown LA, and East Hollywood.
About Your Practitioner
Nutritional guidance is provided by Shaun Menashe, LAc, MTOM, Dipl., founder of Golden Mean Acupuncture.
Shaun has been a licensed California acupuncturist since 2014 and holds a Master's degree from Emperor's College of Traditional Oriental Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the National Certification Board for Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine (NCBAHM).
His clinical practice includes extensive work with patients navigating digestive disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and food-related inflammation. This hands-on experience informs nutritional recommendations that bridge TCM dietary therapy with evidence-based nutritional science.
Ready to Transform Your Relationship with Food?
For those interested in personalized nutritional guidance, this can be discussed during any acupuncture visit.
Note on Care: Nutritional guidance is educational and supportive in nature. It is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or the advice of a registered dietitian for complex medical conditions. Please consult with a primary care provider regarding any health concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The approach emphasizes choosing foods that actively nourish rather than restriction. Each meal becomes an opportunity to strengthen gut integrity, balance hormones, and reduce inflammation.
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The approach integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine's understanding of food with modern nutritional science, creating recommendations based on your specific pattern of imbalance.
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Some improvements like reduced bloating or better energy may occur within days. Chronic conditions typically require several weeks to months of consistent implementation.
Page last updated: February 2026