Too Much of Anything: The Tendency Toward Imbalance
In our quest for better health, it’s easy to think “more is better.” But the truth is, too much of anything—whether it’s food, exercise, sleep, or even good habits—can lead to imbalance. This tendency to overdo often stems from a desire for control, perfection, or quick results, but it can backfire, creating physical, mental, and emotional stagnancy.
At its core, too much of anything disrupts the natural flow of energy and resources in the body. These imbalances often manifest in the gut-brain-liver axis, a critical system connecting digestion, mental health, and detoxification. When one part of this axis is out of sync, it affects the others, creating a cycle of dysfunction that impacts overall well-being.
Too Much Food
Overeating—whether driven by cravings, stress, or cultural beliefs—can burden the liver and disrupt gut health. In many cultures, including Chinese culture, there’s a saying: “能吃饭是福” (néng chī fàn shì fú), meaning “being able to eat is a blessing.” While a good appetite can signal health, overeating often becomes a coping mechanism or status symbol, leading to physical consequences.
This is where the wisdom of eating to 70-80% fullness comes in. Stopping before you feel completely full allows the digestive system to function optimally, preventing sluggishness and discomfort. Over time, consistently overloading the system strains digestion, overwhelms the liver, and disrupts gut health, leading to fatigue, bloating, and long-term conditions like insulin resistance or fatty liver disease.
Too Much Sugar
Fast food, snacks, and even seemingly innocent fruit juices are often loaded with sugar. While these treats can be hard to resist, overindulging leads to weight gain, increased blood pressure, and a higher risk of diabetes. The sugar highs and crashes also wreak havoc on your energy levels and mood.
For perspective, a teaspoon of sugar is about 4 grams. That means a cup of chocolate fudge sundae from McDonald's contains around 12 teaspoons of sugar, or roughly 48 grams!
Excessive sugar disrupts the gut, brain, and liver by promoting chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and insulin resistance. It fuels harmful gut bacteria, impairs memory, and increases the risk of conditions like fatty liver disease and diabetes. Additionally, sugar spikes and crashes strain energy regulation, mood stability, and the gut-brain-liver axis, leading to long-term imbalances and health issues.
Too Much Booze and Smoking
We all know that excess alcohol and smoking are bad news, but how much is too much? For alcohol, moderation means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Going beyond this can lead to a slew of health problems, from liver disease to an increased risk of cancer.
Smoking, on the other hand, doesn’t have a “safe” level—each puff harms your lungs, heart, and nearly every other part of your body. Cutting back or quitting altogether is the best move you can make for your health.
Too Much Sedentary and Screen Time
We’ve all heard the saying “sitting is the new smoking,” and there’s truth to it. Too much sedentary time—whether you’re glued to your desk, binge-watching your favorite show, or scrolling endlessly on your phone—can lead to a host of health issues. Prolonged sitting, often referred to as “sitting disease,” is linked to obesity, heart disease, and even a shortened lifespan.
If you work a typical 9-5 job, you might already be racking up around 7 hours of screen time during work hours alone. Add in post-work relaxation, screen time during meals, and late-night scrolling, and it can easily surpass your sleep time!
Excessive screen time does more than just strain your eyes. It can lead to digital eye strain, poor posture, and disrupted sleep due to the blue light emitted from screens. Constant exposure to screens can also elevate anxiety and stress levels, especially when bombarded with negative news or social media comparisons.
Together, too much sedentary time and screen time create a double burden on your health, disrupting the gut-brain-liver axis and contributing to physical discomfort, mental strain, and long-term imbalances.
Too Much Thinking and Stress
Overthinking often stems from fear—fear of failure, the unknown, or losing control. It arises when we’re anxious about outcomes, striving for certainty and perfection. This cycle of worry creates mental stagnation, leaving us feeling stuck and unable to move forward.
Chronic stress from overthinking doesn’t just weigh on the mind—it disrupts sleep, digestion, and immunity. Fueled by fear, whether from work, finances, or relationships, stress traps both mind and body in a state of tension.
Over time, stress manifests as overwhelm, emotional turbulence, or even boredom, disrupting the gut-brain-liver axis and leading to chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances.
Overdoing Even “Good” Things
Even healthy habits, when taken to extremes, can backfire:
Too Much Exercise: Weakens the immune system, disrupts hormones, and stresses the liver and gut.
Too Much Sleep: Too much sleep can leave you feeling more tired. Oversleeping, particularly more than 9-10 hours regularly, has been linked to increased risks of depression, heart disease, and even cognitive decline.
Too Much Water: Overhydration, or water intoxication, can dilute sodium levels in the blood, leading to hyponatremia. Symptoms range from nausea and headaches to confusion and seizures.
Too Much Protein: While protein is essential for muscle repair and overall health, excessive intake—especially from supplements or high-protein diets—can strain the kidneys, disrupt digestion, and lead to nutrient imbalances. Over time, it may also contribute to dehydration and increased acidity in the body.
Mega-Dosing Supplements: While some supplement companies promote high doses of vitamins B1, B6, and B12 to support and maintain nerve system health, it’s important to approach such claims with caution.
For instance, with a daily value of approximately 1.7 mg, 500 mg of B6 would be over 29,000% of the DV needed! Long-term, excessive intake of such high doses can overwhelm your body and potentially lead to health issues. (Source)
Overconsumption of Herbs: While turmeric is anti-inflammatory, consuming more than 3 grams of turmeric daily can cause digestive discomfort or interact with medications; however, some brands recommend serving sizes as high as 9.4 grams (1 tablespoon), far exceeding typical needs and potentially causing adverse effects.
Despite being labeled as 'safe' online, such mega-doses can burden the liver and disrupt gut health over time. It's important to stay mindful of recommended amounts to avoid unintended harm while reaping the benefits of turmeric.
These examples show how even “good” things, when overdone, create imbalances in the gut-brain-liver axis, stressing the body’s natural processes.
In Conclusion
Too much of anything—whether it’s food, exercise, sleep, or even good habits—creates stagnancy and imbalance. By recognizing these patterns and taking steps to restore flow and harmony, you can support your gut-brain-liver axis and achieve lasting well-being.
In a broader sense, life is about flow and balance. Too much rigidity creates stagnancy, while too much change disrupts rhythm. Constantly shifting without grounding may seem like movement, but it often leads to chaos, exhaustion, and a lack of meaningful progress.
Both rigidity and excessive change disrupt rhythm and prevent true balance. The key is finding the sweet spot where movement and stability coexist, allowing for growth without overwhelm. Start small, listen to your body, and take the first step toward a healthier, more vibrant you. Follow our simple two-step approach to reset your gut-brain-liver axis and break free from stagnancy.
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